Southern California is expected to be hammered in the largest surf event of the season starting today, and a storm system may bring rain and snow to the region, National Weather Service forecasters said.
High surf is expected to pound beaches from tonight through Saturday, the NWS said. Surf of 16-22 feet, with locally higher sets, will pound the Central Coast while to the south, surf of 8-12 feet with local maximum sets of 15 feet is expected across west- and northwest-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 high surf advisory will be in effect in Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties until 5 p.m. Sunday and in Orange County until 4 p.m. that day. A small craft advisory indicating perilous sea and wind conditions will be in effect from 4 p.m. today until 10 a.m. Sunday to warn off inexperienced sailors in small vessels.
The NWS also said a storm system may bring Southern California rain, plus snow in the mountains, today into Friday, when there could be thunderstorms, followed by another system that could generate rain and snow late Sunday into Monday.
Today’s temperatures will be lower — up to 10 degrees in some places — than Wednesday.
The NWS forecast mostly cloudy skies today and highs of 63 on Mount Wilson; 64 in Laguna Beach, Irvine and San Clemente; 65 in Newport Beach and Fullerton; 66 in Yorba Linda, Anaheim, Mission Viejo, Avalon and at LAX; 67 in Saugus; 68 in Burbank, Long Beach and downtown L.A.; 69 in Palmdale, Lancaster, Pasadena and San Gabriel; and 70 in Woodland Hills.
Amid rain, temperatures, which will be in the 60s, will be a few degrees cooler Friday, rise slightly Saturday, then dip by several degrees Monday before rising again starting Wednesday.
