High surf and dangerous rip currents will plague the Southland coast once again Wednesday and last through Thursday, forecasters said.

A beach hazards statement, which is marginally less serious than a high surf advisory, went into effect at 6 a.m. Tuesday in both L.A. and Orange counties. It is due to expire Thursday afternoon in Orange County and Thursday evening in L.A. County.

National Weather Service forecasters blamed coastline conditions on elevated surf of 4-6 feet resulting from a long-period southerly swell.

“There is an increased risk for ocean drowning,” warned an NWS statement. “Rip currents can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea. Large breaking waves can wash people off beaches and rocks and capsize small boats near shore.”

The statement added: “A beach hazards statement is issued when threats such as rip currents, longshore currents. sneaker waves and other hazards create life-threatening conditions in the surf zone. Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don’t swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.”

The NWS forecast mostly cloudy skies in L.A. County Wednesday and highs of 63 on Mount Wilson and Avalon; 66 at LAX; 69 in Downtown L.A., Long Beach and Burbank; 70 in Pasadena and San Gabriel; 72 in Saugus and Woodland Hills; 82 in Palmdale; and 83 in Lancaster. Conditions will remain similar through Friday, then begin a sluggish warming trend Saturday, culminating in highs of 80 in Pasadena and 85 in Woodland Hills on Memorial Day.

Partly cloudy skies were forecast in L-A County … along with highs of 66 in San Clemente; 67 in Laguna Beach and Newport Beach; 70 in Anaheim, Irvine and Mission Viejo; 71 in Fullerton; and 72 in Yorba Linda. Unlike in L.A. County, Orange County temperatures will stay roughly the same as Wednesday through next Tuesday, with no spike expected leading to Memorial Day. 1.

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