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Climate & Environment

Your SoCal Weather Report For Wednesday, Jan 10: High Surf And Winds

Waves on the right crash into raised beach sand in the middle. On the left are homes and apartments
In an aerial view, a newly constructed sand berm protects against strong Pacific Ocean surf, two days after a rogue wave inundated the area and injured eight people, on December 30, 2023 in Ventura
(
Courtesy NWS
/
Getty Images North America
)

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The sun is out, with temperatures peaking at the low 60s, but it comes with a side of strong wind gusts across Southern California.

Quick Facts

  • Today’s weather: Sunny, windy
  • Beaches: Low 60s
  • Mountains/desertsHigh 40s, low 50s/54-62
  • Inland: Highs of low 60s
  • Warnings and advisories: Wind, Winter Storm, High Surf and Coastal Flood

Highs along the beaches will be in the low 60s. More inland the valleys and the Inland Empire will see highs up to 63 degrees.

About those advisories

Winter storm warning
Northern Ventura County mountains and the 5 Freeway corridor, including the Tejon Pass, are under a winter storm warning — that means light accumulations of snow of 2 to 5 inches is expected. Wind gusts up 60 mph is also expected. This dangerous weather pattern will start at 4 p.m. today through noon Thursday.

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Side note: you can always call Caltrans for the latest driving conditions at (800) 427-7623.

High winds

Several portions of SoCal are under high wind warnings and wind advisories. Let's break it down.

Riverside County mountains will see strong wind gusts between 30 to 40 mph, up to 70 mph starting at 6 p.m. through 10 a.m. Thursday.

The San Bernardino County mountains are experiencing similar wind gusts now until 10 a.m. Thursday.

Elsewhere from the Santa Clarita, San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys and mountains including the Antelope valley and Southern Ventura County strong winds will start to impact the area starting at 6 p.m. this evening up to noon Thursday. Expect strong wind gusts between 30 to 40 mph, up to 60 mph.

Coastal Flooding and High Surf
L.A. county and Orange county beaches are seeing high surf that could result in minor coastal flooding, though not as severe as just before New Year’s.

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High surf reaching of five to seven foot breaking waves with local sets up to 11 feet tall is expected for O.C. beaches starting at 8 p.m. 6 p.m. Coastal flooding could occur from 4 a.m. Thursday through noon.

Over at L.A. County beaches including the Malibu coast, expect high surf from 3 p.m. this afternoon to 3 p.m. Thursday and coastal flooding could also occur starting at 4 a.m. through noon. Large breaking waves of 5 to 8 feet with local sets reaching 9 feet — mainly for west facing beaches.

Take precautions at the beach and the NWS recommends avoiding swimming as the strong rip currents can be hazardous.

This day in history

On this day in 2005, the Pineapple Connection, an atmospheric river, brought heavy downpour to Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange County and San Diego. Between this day and Jan. 11, 2005, 31.75 inches of rain fell in Lake Arrowhead.

Things to do

If you haven't had a chance to skate on ice near the beach, now's your last chance in Santa Monica!

  • Ice at Santa Monica: The winter adventure by the sea has returned for the season. Glide and skate across 8,000 square feet of pristine ice within four blocks of the Pacific Ocean. The rink, located on the corner of Fifth Street and Arizona Avenue, has been transformed for the holidays. Admission includes skate rental.

Check out our full list of things to do this week.

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