The largest surf event of the season is coming to Southern California, with high surf expected to pound beaches from Thursday night through Saturday, the National Weather Service said Wednesday.
At the same time, a cooling trend will get underway as temperatures will be in the mid to upper 60s by Thursday with a chance of a shower by Friday. Wednesday temperatures will still be in the upper 70s.
High surf of 16-22 feet, with locally higher sets, is expected along the Central Coast while to the south, surf of 8-12 feet with local max sets to 15 feet is expected across west-facing beaches of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, according to an NWS statement.
“These surf conditions will produce dangerous rip currents, minor coastal flooding and beach erosion, as well as sneaker waves that can inundate beaches and overtop jetties and rock walls,” it said. “Additionally, coastal structures such as piers may be susceptible to damage.”
The conditions will be aggravated by above-normal high tides at six feet or greater during the morning hours, NWS forecasters said.
“Inexperienced swimmers and surfers should stay out of the water. Also, keep at a safe distance from the surf, stay off of rock walls and jetties and never turn your back on the ocean,” the statement said.
A beach hazard statement, indicating threats of damage in a surf zone, will be in force from late Thursday night through Saturday afternoon. Before that, a small craft advisory indicating perilous sea and wind conditions will be in force until 3 a.m. Thursday to warn off inexperienced sailors in small vessels.
In Los Angeles County, a dense fog advisory will be in effect until 8 a.m. Wednesday, with the fog reducing visibility to a quarter-mile or less. The NWS warned the fog would create hazardous travel conditions on Pacific Coast Highway and the 10, 105, 110, 405, 605 and 710 freeways.
The NWS forecast partly cloudy conditions in Los Angeles County, sunny skies in Orange County, and highs Wednesday of 69 in Newport Beach; 70 in Laguna Beach; 71 in Avalon and San Clemente; 72 at LAX; 73 in Long Beach; 74 on Mount Wilson, in Palmdale and Lancaster; 75 in Irvine; 77 in downtown L.A. and Saugus; 78 in San Gabriel, Burbank, Anaheim and Mission Viejo; 79 in Yorba Linda and Fullerton; 80 in Pasadena; and 81 in Woodland Hills.
A cooling trend will begin Thursday, when the high will be as much as 10 degrees lower than today in some areas. Showers are in Friday’s forecast.
—City News Service