San Diego lifeguards warned the public Wednesday about poor surfing, diving and navigation conditions, while a high surf warning remained in effect on the county’s beaches through Thursday.

“The weather was drizzly all day Tuesday and then the wind picked up overnight, making ocean conditions very choppy today,” said Lifeguard Lt. Jacob Magness on Wednesday morning. “That’s why there aren’t many surfers out today. We call it junky surfing conditions.”

Here’s a look at your Christmas Day forecast. Expect cloudy skies with slightly below average temperatures and light winds. pic.twitter.com/McuvXb7Tvs

– NWS San Diego (@NWSSanDiego) December 24, 2024

Magness said Wednesday’s surf started earlier than expected and decreased faster than expected. He added that there are still some larger sets in the 8-foot range.

“But the conditions are very bad, so we don’t recommend that anyone go into the water today,” he said.

The National Weather Service extended the high surf warning due to large waves and dangerous rip currents until 4 p.m. Thursday.

“We are warning everyone to stay away from the water at this time,” National Weather Service meteorologist Sebastian Westerink said Tuesday. “We are seeing high surf of 6 to 12 feet in San Diego County with waves up to 13 feet.”

According to the NWS, those numbers dropped to 6 to 8 feet Wednesday morning, with peaks as high as 11 feet.

On Thursday we can expect breaking waves of 5 to 9 feet. Minor coastal flooding is still possible, NBC 7 meteorologist Brooke Martell said.

Magness said lifeguards planned to have a lot of extra staff on duty over the Christmas holiday because the high surf and nice weather would attract larger crowds.

The lifeguard media reported that diving was dangerous at both La Jolla Cove and La Jolla Shores. Magness said navigation “remains rough” in the Mission Bay Channel, which was reported as hazardous early Wednesday morning.

He warned beachgoers to “stay away from the sea,” noting that “violent waves can come in and the surf can surprise you, especially if you have small children. So you should hold them back.”

NBC 7 reporter Shandel Menezes was live on Christmas Eve in La Jolla, where high surf was likely to continue along the shoreline with 10- to 12-foot waves.

Large waves broke off a piling at the Ocean Beach Pier on Tuesday morning.

NBC 7 meteorologist Francella Perez said another surge is expected next week.

Saturday was the first day of winter. What will winter be like in San Diego this time? Learn more about San Diego’s winter outlook and the return of La Niña here.