High surf will pound the Los Angeles county coastline for around 30 hours starting tonight, creating perilous conditions for swimmers, National Weather Service forecasters said.
The biggest surf is expected on west-facing beaches, from Palos Verdes to Santa Monica, and from Point Dume to Zuma Beach. The risk of coastal flooding will be highest at high tide, which is forecast to be around six feet at 10 am Tuesday.
The high surf resulting from a long-period swell will begin striking the Central Coast this afternoon, according to the NWS. By late this evening, surf of between 5 and 7 feet is expected in the Southland, rising to between 7 and 10 feet by Tuesday morning, then persisting through late Tuesday night, forecasters said.
A high surf advisory will be in effect in Los Angeles County from 10 tonight until 3 o’clock Wednesday morning.
"High surf may cause minor beach erosion on exposed west-facing shores," an NWS statement said. "The large waves and strong currents will create a risk of ocean drowning. 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
