Dangerous Surf, Rip Currents Expected This Week

*** High Surf Advisory in effect now through 6 pm Friday ***

Damaging surf with very strong rip currents and significant beach erosion likely across south and southeast facing beaches of southwest California beginning through Friday.

Hurricane Marie in the eastern Pacific has been downgraded to a Category 2 hurricane Tuesday morning and will continue to track to the northwest and weaken as it moves northwest around western side of a strong ridge of high pressure.

The main impact from Marie for Southern California will be damaging high surf, well exceeding surf heights seen from Tropical Storm Lowell.

Surf is expected to build late Tuesday morning and peaking late in the afternoon into Wednesday. Breakers of 10 to 15 feet will be possible across south and southeast facing beaches of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. Santa Barbara County’s southeastern South Coast could see 6 to 10 feet.

Some areas at risk for very large surf are beaches exposed south to southeast facing shores, such as Port Hueneme and Point Mugu in Ventura County, and Zuma Beach, the Malibu area, and Long Beach through Palos Verdes in Los Angeles County. The eastern portion of the Santa Barbara South Coast may also see unusually large surf and strong rip currents during this event.

Major impacts from this event include the potential for structure damage, significant beach erosion, very strong and dangerous rip currents, waves overtopping jetties, and minor coastal flooding during times of high tides.

In addition to strong rip currents, strong long-shore currents are also expected resulting in dangerous swimming conditions. Swimmers and inexperienced surfers are advised to stay out of the water during this time period.

Tune in to you local news for the latest and updates from the First Alert Weather Team.