Beachgoers, keep an eye out on the waves for the next couple of days. 

The National Weather Service is warning residents of potential high surf and coastal floods through Saturday for the Central Coast with potential of light rain for Wednesday night.

South County could see tides as high as 7 feet and potentially see a high risk of ocean drowning with high rip currents, according to Rose Schoenfeld, NWS meteorologist.

“That is higher than normal there,” she said. 

North County could have more significant impacts with high surf and coastal flooding, Schoenfeld warns, from 4 a.m. Thursday until 2 p.m. Friday. The waves might be as high as 18 feet with potential strong rip currents. 

Coastal flooding could look like shallow flooding on beach parking lots, bike paths and walkways. There could also be moderate beach erosion. 

“We don’t necessarily see surfs this big every single year like clockwork but it does happen in the winter time when you get those strong storms over the Pacific,” she said.

This warning precedes the potential of a strong storm next week likely beginning on Wednesday. 

Schoenfeld said they don’t have a clear view on what will exactly happen next week. But she predicts there to be a moderate storm, with the potential of it developing into a significant storm. She estimates it could bring 1-2 inches of rain to the coast and valley and 2-4 inches in the mountains and foothills.

“It’s something to keep an eye out, most likely right now it is kind of a moderate strength storm,” she said. 

Schoenfeld also said there is concern for the burn scars area from the Gifford Fire in North County and Lake Fire in the Santa Ynez Valley.

She also urges residents in vulnerable areas to follow the weather forecast and have multiple ways to receive emergency alerts.

Check the latest weather-related alerts and advisories from the NWS here.

Sign up for Santa Barbara County emergency alerts at ReadySBC.org.