TSUNAMI: NWS Downgrades Warning to Advisory, But Anticipates Large Surges With High Tide

The National Weather Service downgraded a tsunami warning it issued early Friday morning to a tsunami advisory for the entire West Coast at 3pm.

A warning means that a tsunami is determined to be imminent and poses a threat to residents and property. An advisory means that conditions are not predicted to be as severe. 

Chris Stumpf, spokesman for the National Weather Service, said that although most of the came this morning before 10am, there may be some sparse but large surges comparable to those this morning when high tide happens at about 5:20pm.

The largest waves occured at Point Reyes and were about 4 feet tell, Stumpf said. 

Art Montiel with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) said residents of Pacifica's Linda Mar area who voluntarily evacuated to the east of Adobe Drive this morning have been returning to their homes.

He said the CHP is recommending people stay out of that area until it can be seen how severe the tsunami waves are during high tide, however. 

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