Special Marine Warning Issued for Southern California Coastal Waters and Islands

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Los Angeles/Oxnard CA has issued a Special Marine Warning for coastal waters in Southern California. The alert was issued at 9:14 AM PST following radar detection of severe weather conditions.

Affected Areas

The warning encompasses the following maritime regions:

• East Santa Barbara Channel: From Pt. Conception to Pt. Mugu, including Santa Cruz Island.
• Inner Waters: From Point Mugu to San Mateo Pt., including Santa Catalina and Anacapa 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 Anacapa Island, Rincon Point, and Ventura Harbor.

What You Should Do

Mariners are advised to take immediate safety precautions:

• Move to safe harbor until the hazardous weather conditions have passed.
• Small craft should be secured, as they could be damaged by sudden high winds and waves.
• Report any severe weather observations to the Coast Guard or the National Weather Service.

Expected Conditions

At 9:14 AM PST, radar indicated severe thunderstorms capable of producing waterspouts. The storm line extended from 8 nautical miles west of Rincon Point to near Anacapa Island, moving east at 20 knots.

• Hazards: Potential waterspouts and wind gusts reaching nearly 50 knots.
• Impact: Waterspouts have the potential to easily overturn boats and create locally hazardous seas. Mariners should expect briefly higher winds and suddenly higher waves.

Timeline

• Alert Issued: February 16, 2026, at 9:14 AM PST
• Effective Period: Immediate
• Expiration: February 16, 2026, at 10:15 AM PST