California beaches close as 35-foot waves hit amid powerful El Niño

Newsweek gives a careful, well-sourced account of the Santa Cruz beach and wharf closure, attributing its warnings to the National Weather Service and city officials. Its headline says 35-foot waves hit and California beaches close, while the body reports only a forecast of 25 to 35 feet and one city's closure.

1. Headline goes beyond the article

   Minor

   “California beaches close as 35-foot waves hit”

   Why this matters

   The headline says "California beaches close" and that "35-foot waves hit", as if waves of that size had already struck and beaches across the state had shut.

   The impression it gives

   A reader believes 35-foot waves have already battered the coast and that California's beaches in general are closed.

   The context

   The body reports a forecast of 25 to 35 feet, and the only closure it reports is the City of Santa Cruz's. Other coverage the same day shows Pismo Beach kept its beaches open and closed only its pier.

   How we know

   • Elsewhere in the article“large breaking waves reaching 25 to 35 feet forecast for the coast”
   • Elsewhere in the article“The City of Santa Cruz closed the city’s beaches”
   • New York Post reported“Beaches will remain open, though city staff say they will continue to monitor tide and wave conditions closely throughout the weekend”Iconic California pier to close as monster tides threaten coast (opens in a new tab)

   Show it in the article