Special Marine Warning Issued for Southern California Inner Waters Including Santa Catalina

Alert Details

Type: Special Marine Warning
Issued by: National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Effective: February 16, 2026, at 10:30 AM PST
Expires: February 16, 2026, at 12:30 PM PST

Affected Areas

The warning covers the inner waters from Point Mugu to San Mateo Pt. CA, including Santa Catalina and Anacapa Islands. Specific locations impacted include:

• King Harbor
• Point Dume
• Redondo Beach Pier
• Los Angeles Harbor
• Manhattan Beach
• Port of Los Angeles
• Two Harbors
• Redondo Beach
• Malibu
• Catalina Island

What You Should Do

Mariners and residents in the affected area should take the following actions:

• Move to safe harbor immediately until the hazardous weather conditions pass.
• Report severe weather sightings to the Coast Guard or the National Weather Service.
• Small craft should be especially cautious as they could capsize in suddenly higher waves.

Expected Conditions

Radar indicates severe thunderstorms located along a line extending from 15 nm north of Santa Monica Pier to 11 nm west of Point Vicente, moving north at 20 knots.

Hazards include:

• Wind Gusts: In excess of 50 knots.
• Waterspouts: Possible. Waterspouts can easily overturn boats and create locally hazardous seas.
• Impacts: Boats could suffer significant structural damage in high winds, and small craft are at risk of capsizing.

Timeline

The Special Marine Warning is currently in effect as of 10:30 AM PST and is expected to last until 12:30 PM PST on February 16, 2026.