Special Marine Warning Issued for Southern California Inner Waters Including Los Angeles and Newport Harbors
The National Weather Service has issued an immediate Special Marine Warning for Southern California coastal waters due to potential waterspouts, small hail, and 40-knot wind gusts.
Alert Details
The National Weather Service in Los Angeles/Oxnard CA has issued a Special Marine Warning for the inner waters of the Southern California coast. This alert was triggered by radar indicating a strong storm capable of producing hazardous marine conditions.
Affected Areas
The warning covers the inner waters from Point Mugu to San Mateo Pt. CA, including:
- Santa Catalina and Anacapa Islands
- Dana Point
- Newport Harbor
- Los Angeles Harbor
- Port of Los Angeles
What You Should Do
Mariners and residents in the affected coastal areas are advised to avoid the warning zone. Waterspouts can easily overturn boats and create locally hazardous seas. Small craft should seek safe harbor immediately as they could be damaged by briefly higher winds and suddenly higher waves.
Expected Conditions
According to the NWS, the following hazards are present:
- Waterspouts: Possible detection via radar.
- Wind: Gusts up to 40 knots.
- Hail: Small hail is expected within the storm cells.
- Storm Movement: At 4:03 PM PST, a strong storm was located just off the coast of Newport Beach and Laguna Beach, moving east at 20 knots. Additional strong storms are expected off the coast of Los Angeles and Orange counties.
Timeline
The warning is effective immediately as of 4:05 PM PST on February 16, 2026, and is currently scheduled to expire at 5:00 PM PST.
Source: NOAA Official Notice
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