Be warned, beaches will be packed and the waves will pack a punch for the holiday weekend.

A strong south swell has prompted a beach hazard statement from the National Weather Service through late Saturday at Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego beaches.

The statement warns of dangerous rip currents and breaking waves due to elevated surf.

The strong surf will arrive just as tens of thousands of beachgoers flock to the coast for the holiday, one of the most popular places for people to spend the day, hanging out into the night for firework shows over the ocean.

“There is an increased risk of ocean drowning. Rip currents can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea,” weather service officials warn. “Waves can wash people off beaches and rocks, and capsize small boats nearshore.”

They also warned people to swim only near occupied lifeguard towers.

Surf size will range from 4- to 6-feet at south-facing beaches. Some areas, such as Huntington Beach, are forecast to see waves in the 6- to 8-foot range Friday and Saturday, and slightly smaller but still hazardous in the 5- to 7-foot range on Sunday.

The tide will peak at about 5:38 p.m., at a near 5-foot high tide, so watch your belongings on the Fourth of July as the ocean creeps closer to the shore before the tide starts to again drop into the evening hours.

With big beach crowds, comes a big beach mess.  Each year, July 5 marks the dirtiest day on the region’s beaches.

“After the fireworks fade and the parties end, our coastlines are often left covered in trash,” Surfrider Foundation officials said in a call to action.

About 50 cleanups are planned across the country, including from 8 to 10 a.m. at the San Clemente Pier. The Doheny Longboard Surfing Association also gathers in the early-morning hours at the Dana Point beach to clean up the crowd’s mess.

Related Articles