Breaking waves of 4 to 8 feet are hitting Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Redondo Beach on Tuesday, July 21, driven by a southerly swell from Tropical Storm Elida, and a six-day heat advisory starting Wednesday, July 22, is expected to push large crowds toward the dangerous water.
The National Weather Service confirmed the high surf advisory remains in effect through at least Tuesday for Los Angeles County and Orange County beaches. Some south-facing beaches are seeing sets of 6 to 8 feet, with strong rip currents accompanying the swell.
"We're anticipating those waves to kind of stay elevated through at least Tuesday," Sebastian Westerink, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service's San Diego office, said Sunday, July 20. "They might subside for a little bit, but another system — Tropical Storm Fausto — could generate another set of elevated swell at our beaches later this week into the weekend."
If Westerink's forecast holds, surf will still be elevated when heat drives beachgoers to the coast starting Wednesday. The NWS heat advisory covers much of Los Angeles County beginning at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 22, and running through 8 p.m. Monday, July 27. Ryan Kittell, a meteorologist with the NWS Oxnard office, called it "the hottest stretch so far this year" for Southern California.
Long Beach could reach 87 degrees. Downtown Los Angeles may hit 92. Inland areas will be far worse, with Canoga Park forecast at 106 and Lancaster at 108.
Overnight lows in the L.A. Basin are expected to hover around 70 degrees, offering little relief. NWS Oxnard meteorologist Robbie Munroe told the Los Angeles Times that residents trying to cool their homes overnight won't find much help from open windows.
The combination of heat and elevated surf has proven dangerous across Southern California's coast this summer. In June, a 5-year-old girl from San Bernardino was swept into the ocean by powerful waves in Laguna Beach. Newport Beach lifeguards made more than 100 rescues in a single day during one recent elevated-surf event. LA County Fire lifeguards and South Bay city lifeguard services did not provide statements on local staffing or conditions for this week.
The National Weather Service urged beachgoers to swim near lifeguards, check in with guards before entering the water, and stay off rock jetties.
Water quality note
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued an ocean water use warning on July 20 for the Pico-Kenter storm drain area due to elevated bacteria levels. Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, and Hermosa Beach jointly collect weekly water quality samples. Residents can check conditions at publichealth.lacounty.gov/beach or call the hotline at 1-800-525-5662.
Safety resources
Residents who see someone in distress in the water should call 911. The LA County beach water quality hotline is 1-800-525-5662. NWS high surf advisory and heat advisory updates are available at weather.gov/lox.
