Dangerous 40-foot waves set to smash Northern California as surfers prep for epic winter swells

Storms moving in from the Gulf of Alaska are forecast to bring exceptionally large waves to Northern California this weekend, alongside heavy rain and strong winds. The swell could rank among the area’s biggest in years, prompting officials to warn people to stay away from the water and beaches, while drawing interest from experienced surfers.

Waves could reach 30 to 40 feet from Friday night into Saturday morning, with 20 to 30-foot seas expected between San Francisco and Crescent City on Saturday. Rough conditions are forecast to continue through Sunday, and another major swell may arrive as early as Monday. Meteorologists say further large swells could follow; surfers Bianca Valenti and Peter Mel described the rare, unpredictable conditions, with Mel saying he would decide whether to surf after checking the waves on Saturday morning.