A high surf advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service, warning of big waves that will be showing up along the Southern California coast starting Tuesday, Jan. 11.
The advisory warns of waves in the 5- to 8-foot range at Los Angeles County and Orange County beaches, increasing the risk of rip currents and other coastal hazards. The advisory goes into effect at 3 p.m. on Tuesday and runs through 9 p.m. on Wednesday, though surf will still be strong heading into the weekend.
With weather warming on Tuesday – expected to be about 70 degrees at the coast and nearing 80 inland – beachgoers should use extra caution at the coast if heading to the beach to cool off.
“My advice to the average beachgoer would be to stay out of the surf,” NWS meteorologist Philip Gonsalvef said, despite the nice weather expected. “If you’re just going to the beach to enjoy the nice weather, you’re going to want to stay out of the surf.”
The weather service is warning of an increased risk of drowning in the higher surf, as well as rip currents that can pull swimmers out to sea. Large breaking waves can also cause injury, wash people off beaches and rocks, and capsize small boats.
In addition to the high surf advisory, the NWS also issued a small-craft advisory warning of dangers out at sea for boaters.
High tides are in the morning hours, but are not expected to be extreme, so while flooding in low-lying areas is possible it’s not likely, Gonsalvef said.
“Some of those areas might see some minor flooding, but that will be a combination of the tide and the surf,” he said. “The chances of flooding are still pretty small.”
Santa Ana winds will linger on Tuesday, but seem set to weaken in Orange County on Wednesday, which will drop temperatures. It will be even cooler on Thursday and through the weekend.
The winds will be strongest in the Los Angeles County mountain ranges, with a wind advisory in place until Tuesday. Northeast to east winds are expected to reach 20 mph to 35 mph with gusts 40 mph to 50 mph expected.
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For Orange County, the strongest winds will be in the Santa Ana mountains and southern Orange County, Gonsalvef said.
“As far as Santa Anas go, the winds aren’t particularly strong with this event, and they are pretty localized,” he said.
Though Santa Ana winds are typically a concern for fire hazards, recent rains have helped, he said. “The rain has certainly mitigated the fire weather threat.”