Potentially dangerous surf and rip currents were expected along Southland beaches this weekend as Hurricane Marie remained well offshore but sent a growing southerly swell toward the coast.
The National Weather Service said it has high confidence in potentially deadly rip currents and large waves during the Labor Day weekend, particularly at south-facing beaches. A high surf advisory and coastal flood advisory will be in effect until 11 p.m. Tuesday for portions of the Los Angeles County and Orange County coasts.
Large breaking waves of 6 to 10 feet for south and southwestern-facing beaches and 4 to 7 feet for west-facing beaches are expected, with strong and dangerous rip and longshore currents.
Minor coastal flooding is also possible from a combination of high surf and high astronomical tides along vulnerable south-facing shores, with Avalon, Long Beach’s Alamitos Peninsula and Malibu among the areas of greatest concern.
“With huge crowds expected at the beaches for the Labor Day holiday, the emphasis for these statements is to alert the public to be extra careful in and near the ocean,” according to the NWS.
Officials are urging inexperienced swimmers to stay out of the water.
High tides will also increase through early next week and are expected to exceed 7 feet by Monday. The combination of elevated tides and the south swell will create a moderate risk of coastal flooding along
Marie is forecast to track northwest over the next several days while remaining well off the California coast, but tropical moisture associated with the storm will increase across the region.
Forecasters said light to moderate rain could develop over the weekend, particularly Sunday. The weather service put the chance of rain Sunday at 50% to 80% in Los Angeles County, while forecasters in Orange County said periods of light to locally moderate rain are possible Saturday and Sunday.
Rainfall is generally expected to be focused over the eastern side of Los Angeles County, with about a quarter-inch for most areas, except higher amounts in the foothills of the San Gabriel Valley (a half-inch) and the eastern San Gabriel Mountains (around 1 inch).
Forecasters cautioned that roads could become especially slick with any wetting rain because of oils that have accumulated during the dry summer months.
There is also a 5% to 15% chance of thunderstorms, mainly in the Los Angeles County mountains and urban areas. Any stalled or repeatedly developing storms could produce more than a quarter-inch of rain in an hour, according to the weather service.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said her office will continue coordinating with the Emergency Management Department, Los Angeles Fire Department, Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles County Public Works and other relevant city departments to ensure all personnel are ready to respond as needed.
Humidity will increase as Marie’s moisture reaches the region, with increased cloud cover expected through the weekend. Overnight temperatures could remain in the 70s along southern coastal areas and coastal valleys where clouds persist.
Forecasters said unsettled weather could linger into early next week as moisture from the remnants of Marie interacts with an unusually active jet stream over the region.
When the storm moves on, the Southland is in store for another heat wave, with temperatures soaring into the 90s in many areas beginning Tuesday and peaking Wednesday and Thursday before declining to more-average levels next weekend.