San Francisco, CA – The National Weather Service (NWS) Bay Area has issued a Small Craft Advisory and Gale Warning for offshore waters from Point Arena to Point Reyes, with hazardous seas and gale-force winds expected beginning Thursday afternoon.
According to the NWS, the Small Craft Advisory will be in effect from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. PDT Thursday, with northwest winds of 10 to 20 knots and gusts up to 30 knots, along with seas between 7 and 12 feet.
Conditions are forecast to worsen overnight as a Gale Warning takes effect from 9 p.m. Thursday through 9 a.m. Friday. Forecasters warn of northwest winds reaching 20 to 30 knots with gusts up to 35 knots and seas rising to 12 to 14 feet.
Officials said the strong winds and high seas could capsize or damage small vessels and reduce visibility, making marine travel dangerous. Mariners are advised to remain in port, seek safe harbor, or alter course to avoid the hazardous conditions.
The warnings affect waters 10 to 60 nautical miles offshore between Point Arena and Point Reyes, an area frequently traveled by commercial fishing and shipping vessels.
