Surf Report & Forecast for March 11-12

Encinitas Lifeguard Services has not closed off area beaches but are strongly advising surfers to stay out of the water today as strong currents and surges as high as 4 feet are possible, due to tsunami waves that are expected to hit area beaches by 8:30 a.m. 

The tsunami evacuations (in parts of Washington and Oregon) and advisories are in effect for the entire west coast of the U.S. and Hawaii, triggered by a massive 8.9 earthquake centered near Japan's northeast coast. The quake has killed hundreds of people. 

According to the New York Times, officials in Southern California closed beaches as a precaution, prohibiting swimming, surfing and fishing off the coast. 

Although wave heights triggered by the tsunami may be barely noticeable, the fact that beaches are socked in by fog don't make it that appealing for a morning surf.

The tsunami is predicted to reach San Diego about 45 minutes after low tide, which is at 8:00 a.m. (1 foot). There isn't much of a surge with the incoming tide as we're in a quarter moon phase. Slack tides today and tomorrow will prevent any strong tidal surges, though of course, you never know—tsunamis are hard to predict. 

Swimmers: stay out of the water today.

Sunset today: 5:58 p.m.; dark by 6:51 p.m.

Tomorrow, March 12, barring any effects from the tsunami, expect waist- to chest-high conditions with  occasional shoulder-high waves. Get on it early, though, as onshore winds are expected to chop things up by late morning. 

Dawn tomorrow: 5:14 a.m.; sunrise: 6:08 a.m.

Water temp.: 57 degrees.