High surf hammered the Southland coast Tuesday, creating perilous conditions for swimmers and threatening minor coastal flooding National Weather Service forecasters said.
A high surf advisory went into effect at 10 p.m. Monday and was scheduled to be in effect until 3 a.m. Wednesday. In Orange County, the advisory took effect at 2 a.m.Tuesday and was to remain in force until 2 a.m. Wednesday.
Forecasters expect surf of between 7 and 10 feet beginning Tuesday morning, lasting through late Tuesday night.
“The large waves and strong currents will create a risk of ocean drowning,” warned an NWS statement.
Meanwhile, temperatures across the Southland should remain cool, with highs in the low 60s and lows dipping into the mid 40s through the weekend. There could even be a chance of light rain Wednesday.
But the high surf was the big story.
6″Sneaker waves can suddenly overrun previously dry beaches and jetties. Minor flooding of low-lying beach parking lots, harbor walkways and campgrounds will be possible.”
The NWS urged beachgoers to always swim near lifeguards and, if caught in a rip current, to swim parallel to shore until free of it.
In Los Angeles County, the highest surf will be on west-facing beaches from Palos Verdes to Santa Monica and from Point Dune to Zuma Beach, according to the NWS. In Orange County, the highest surf will be north of Newport Beach, according to the NWS, which said Seal Beach and Sunset Beach could experience minor coastal flooding.
Temperatures, meanwhile, will be a little higher than Monday. The NWS forecast sunny skies Tuesday and highs of 57 on Mount Wilson; 57 in Lancaster; 58 in Palmdale; 63 in Saugus; 64 in Avalon and Laguna Beach; 65 Burbank, Newport Beach and San Clemente; 66 in downtown L.A., Long Beach, Pasadena, San Gabriel, Woodland Hills and at LAX; 67 in Irvine; 68 in Mission Viejo; and 69 in Yorba Linda, Fullerton and Anaheim.
Lower temperatures are expected Wednesday, along with rain, followed by several days of cloudy skies.
—City News Service