Southland beaches are bracing for potentially dangerous surf and rip currents this Labor Day weekend, a direct result of Hurricane Marie remaining well offshore in the Pacific. The National Weather Service (NWS) has expressed high confidence in the likelihood of potentially deadly rip currents and significant waves, particularly affecting south-facing beaches.
Forecasters indicate that the southerly swell generated by Marie is expected to produce waves of 5 to 8 feet along exposed south-facing shores. Some specific locations, such as Malibu, could experience even larger waves. Due to the anticipated large crowds at beaches for the holiday, the NWS emphasized the importance of public vigilance, stating the public should "be extra careful in and near the ocean."
High tides are also projected to increase through early next week, with Monday seeing tides expected to exceed 7 feet. This combination of elevated tides and the strong south swell creates a moderate risk of coastal flooding. Vulnerable south-facing shores, including Avalon, Long Beach’s Alamitos Peninsula, and Malibu, are identified among the areas of greatest concern for this flooding risk. It should be noted that a high surf advisory and coastal flood advisory will be in effect until 11 p.m. Tuesday, specifically for portions of the Los Angeles County coast.
Beyond the coastal impacts, tropical moisture associated with Hurricane Marie is forecast to increase across the region, leading to changing weather patterns for Irvine residents. Forecasters predict that light to moderate rain could develop over the weekend, with Sunday being the most probable day for precipitation. In Orange County, periods of light to locally moderate rain are possible on both Saturday and Sunday. For Los Angeles County, the NWS set the chance of rain on Sunday between 50% and 80%.
Rainfall totals are generally expected to remain modest. In most populated areas of Los Angeles County, totals are likely to stay under a quarter-inch, though isolated higher amounts are possible, especially in coastal-facing mountains. Forecasters issued a caution that roads could become particularly slick with any wetting rain. This heightened slipperiness is attributed to the accumulation of oils on roadways during the prolonged dry summer months.
There is also a lower, 5% chance of excessive rainfall, which could potentially produce minor flooding in localized, heavier showers. Additionally, there is a 5% to 15% chance of thunderstorms, primarily concentrated in the Los Angeles County mountains and urban areas. The NWS noted that any storms that become stalled or repeatedly develop in one area could produce more than a quarter-inch of rain within an hour.
Humidity levels will increase as Marie’s moisture moves into the region, bringing with it increased cloud cover through the weekend. Residents in southern coastal areas and coastal valleys where clouds persist might experience overnight temperatures remaining in the 70s. This unsettled weather, characterized by moisture from Marie’s remnants interacting with an unusually active jet stream, could linger into early next week, according to forecasters.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass released a statement affirming that her office is coordinating with various city departments, including the Emergency Management Department, Los Angeles Fire Department, and Los Angeles Police Department, to ensure personnel are prepared to respond as needed within Los Angeles.
