High surf will pound the Southland Coast today and Tuesday, creating strong and dangerous rip currents and possibly minor coastal flooding, National Weather Service forecasters said.
Surf of between 6 and 10 feet, with maximum set of 12 feet, is expected along the L.A. County Coast today, continuing until at least early Tuesday afternoon, according to an NWS statement.
“The large surf may cause minor beach erosion and strong rip currents that will create a risk of ocean drowning. Sneaker waves can suddenly overrun previously dry beaches and jetties,” an NWS statement said. “Minor coastal flooding is possible around times of high tide for low-lying areas, such as beach parking lots.”
The highest surf in L.A. County will be at west- and northwest-facing beaches, it said.
In Orange County, surf of 5 to 8 feet, with 10 feet sets, is expected today, falling to 4-7 feet Tuesday, with the highest surf north of Newport Beach.
A high surf advisory will be in force in Los Angeles County until 2 p.m. Tuesday and, in Orange County, until 5 p.m. Tuesday.
NWS forecasters reminded swimmers to swim parallel to shore if caught in a rip current.
Also in today’s forecast is a 20 percent chance of rain in Los Angeles County this afternoon.
The NWS forecast mostly cloudy skies today and highs of 55 on Mount Wilson; 59 in Palmdale; 60 in Lancaster; 61 in Avalon, Burbank, Saugus and at LAX; 62 in Long Beach, Pasadena and San Gabriel; 63 in Laguna Beach and San Clemente; 64 in downtown L.A., Woodland Hills, Irvine and Newport Beach; 65 in Fullerton, Mission Viejo and Anaheim; and 66 in Yorba Linda. Similar conditions are expected Tuesday, but temperatures will be a few degrees warmer Wednesday.
