Special Marine Warning Issued for Central and Southern California Coastal Waters

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Los Angeles/Oxnard has issued a Special Marine Warning for several coastal and offshore zones in Southern and Central California. The alert was issued at 7:59 AM PST on February 16 and remains in effect until 9:00 AM PST.

Affected Areas

The warning covers a broad area of the Pacific, including:

• Point Piedras Blancas to Point Sal: Westward out to 10 NM and from 10 to 60 NM.
• East Santa Barbara Channel: From Pt. Conception to Pt. Mugu, including Santa Cruz Island.
• Waters from Pt. Sal to Santa Cruz Island: Westward 60 NM, including San Miguel and Santa Rosa Islands.
• Outer waters from Santa Cruz Island to San Clemente Island: To 60 NM offshore, including San Nicolas and Santa Barbara Islands.

Specific locations impacted include Point Arguello, Point Sal, Morro Bay, San Miguel Island, Goleta Point, Point Conception, Cambria, and Santa Rosa Island.

What You Should Do

Mariners and residents in the affected areas are advised to avoid these waters. Waterspouts can easily overturn boats and create locally hazardous seas. Small craft should seek safe harbor immediately, as vessels could be damaged by briefly higher winds and suddenly higher waves.

Expected Conditions

According to radar data, strong thunderstorms were located at 7:58 AM PST along a line extending from near Morro Bay to 10 nautical miles southwest of Point Conception. The system is moving northeast at 20 knots.

Primary hazards include:

• Waterspouts: Capable of overturning vessels.
• Wind: Gusts reaching nearly 50 knots.
• Seas: Suddenly higher waves and hazardous conditions for small craft.

Timeline

The Special Marine Warning is effective immediately and is scheduled to expire at 9:00 AM PST on February 16, 2026.