One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
High Waves Pummel SoCal As Winter Weather Continues
Surfers take off on a wave at Manhattan Beach on Dec. 28, 2023.
(
Richard Vogel
/
Associated Press
)
Beachgoers, surfers and boaters should expect big waves on Thursday — but nothing like the monsters that pounded the California coast in late December.
Alex Tardy, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said waves along the Los Angeles and Orange County coasts will likely be in the range of 3 to 6 feet, with occasional 7-foot swells. Waves could be even bigger, according to the National Weather Service, for some west-facing beaches, like Palos Verdes and Manhattan Beach.
Still, the surf will be "probably half [the size] we saw a week ago," Tardy said.
The National Weather Service has issued a high surf advisory for Southern California beaches that lasts through the evening for the Ventura County and O.C. coast and until 3 p.m. for the L.A. County coast. Beachgoers are advised to beware of strong rip currents and to stay away from rock jetties.
Coastal flooding is expected to be minimal.
Public health officials also advise people to stay out of coastal waters for 72 hours after significant rainfall because of elevated bacteria from contaminants that get washed into the ocean.
Sponsored message
How to check on the changing weather
The National Weather Service's website for forecasts is, uh, not the most user-friendly. Start by typing in the city and/or ZIP code you're interested in.
Pro tip: O.C., Riverside and San Bernardino counties’ forecasts are covered by the San Diego office. Santa Barbara and Ventura counties are covered by the L.A./Oxnard office.
Hazardous weather conditions for the location will be noted in red near the top of the webpage.
For a frequently updated, narrative description of current and near future weather conditions for the region, click on the "forecast discussion" tab.
Can't find it? Here are the links:
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
