Just because it’s pretty out right now, it doesn’t mean that it’s OK to be dumb and carefree at the beach! On the contrary! The National Weather Service has issued a beach hazards statement warning about ocean conditions over the next couple of days, and this morning an (evidently un-furloughed) meteorologist elaborated in a Facebook post.

From the National Weather Service’s Eureka office:

A 10-13 ft swell will impact the Northwest California coast beginning Wednesday morning. A moderate risk of sneaker waves will exist Wednesday through Thursday with the highest risk in Humboldt and Del Norte counties.

The risk is elevated because several beaches continue to have their summer steep beach profiles with extra sand buildup. Waves may erode the beach profile quickly and wash farther up beaches than usual. Stay far back from the surf and never turn your back on the ocean!