The National Weather Service has issued a high surf advisory for the California coast from north of Santa Barbara through San Clemente from Tuesday through Thursday, Aug. 26-28, together with coastal flooding through Friday.
The surf advisory is officially lifted at 3 a.m. Thursday morning.
Swimmers, surfers, paddle boarders and boaters should be prepared to “potentially see the largest surf seen in recent years with breakers of 10 to 15 feet possible” according to the NWS advisory. Damaging high surf, very strong rip currents and coastal flooding are all expected.
This surf, which comes from Hurricaine Marie, is expected to build on Tuesday and peak Tuesday night. Over the weekend, rough surf from tropical storm Lowell caused an increase in overall rescues, according to LA County Lifeguards at Zuma Beach, where a total of 215 rescues were performed on Saturday alone.
According to AccuWeather meteorologists, surf conditions due to Hurricane Marie are expected to be more severe than those from Lowell.
The AccuWeather report also states that some rain may be expected.
“While there is a chance of spotty thunderstorms over the Southwestern states as the Eastern Pacific tropical activity continues, not enough rain will fall to alleviate drought conditions in California,” says the statement.
The NWS issued recreational advice as well.
“Swimmers and inexperienced surfers should stay out of the water due to the expected powerful surf and very dangerous rip currents,” the advisory warns.
“Remember … if caught in a rip current … swim parallel to shore until you are free of the powerful current,” the advisory concludes.