Another hurricane swell is expected to bring elevated surf and strong rip currents to Southern California beaches through the end of the week, forecasters say.
As Hurricane Rachel churns off the coast of Mexico, the National Weather Service has issued beach hazard warnings and coastal flood advisories for Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange and San Diego counties, with forecasters warning of life-threatening rip currents and surf reaching 5 feet to 6 feet in some areas.
Rose Schoenfeld, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said in a Wednesday, Oct. 7, phone interview, that southerly swells generated by tropical systems coming from the south, such as Hurricane Rachel, “can be more impactful" than the Southern California coast typically sees.
“Because it's not typically a direction that our swell generally comes from,” Schoenfeld explained. “A more predominant direction for SoCal is more out of the west or northwesterly direction, so that southerly direction hits beaches that don't always get as much high surf.”
Additionally, she said, southerly swells can increase the risk of rip currents, which "can be very hazardous, especially for inexperienced swimmers."
Here's what kinds of conditions beachgoers can expect Southern California beaches through the week.
What beachgoers can expect for SoCal beaches
Los Angeles County beaches are expected to see elevated surf, dangerous rip currents and minor coastal flooding through the end of the week, with the greatest impacts along the Malibu coastline, according to an NWS forecast.
“Those beaches can get some pretty impressive waves from the southerlies as well,” Schoenfeld said.
Meanwhile, NWS forecasters expect Ventura County beaches to see 2- to 4-foot surf, along with moderate rip current risks through the end of the week, with coastal flooding concerns continuing through Friday.
Conditions are similar for Orange and San Diego counties through the end of the week, with NWS forecasters warning of life-threatening rip currents on Thursday.
“It looks like (San Diego County beaches) will be getting south swells of around 3 to 5 feet, with sets to 6 feet, and that would be greatest for south and then southwest facing beaches,” according to Schoenfeld.
While Hurricane Rachel is expected to weaken before reaching the state this weekend, meteorologists warn it could still bring several hazards typically associated with tropical systems, including heavy rain, gusty winds, dangerous surf, and localized flooding, USA TODAY reports.
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Current forecasts show Rachel approaching Southern California as a post-tropical cyclone early Sunday, with a projected landfall area roughly 100 miles south of San Diego. However, the center's forecast cone stretches as far north as Orange County.
Other recent hurricanes impact Southern California
Two other powerful tropical systems off the coast of Mexico have also indirectly impacted Southern California in recent weeks.
In late September, Hurricane Polo brought powerful waves, reaching 4 to 7 feet along the Southern California coastline.
Meanwhile, over Labor Day weekend, Hurricane Marie brought massive waves to Southern California, severely eroding some of the area's beaches.
Tips for Southern California beachgoers
Schoenfeld said some advice for beachgoers amid hazardous beach conditions is to always swim near a lifeguard, be aware of your experience level, and know what to do if you are caught in a rip current.
“There’s very specific advice about being caught in a rip current,” Schoenfeld said. “You don't want to fight it. You want to swim parallel to the coast until you feel that current kind of let up.”
USA TODAY NETWORK's James Ward contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Hurricane Rachel swell brings hazardous conditions to SoCal beaches
