LOS ANGELES, CA — Hurricane Polo, the latest in an unusual parade of Pacific hurricanes, is expected to hit Southern California's coast this week, bringing heavy surf, coastal flooding, beach erosion and dangerous rip currents through at least Wednesday.
Hurricane Polo is expected to remain well south of Southern California this week, but impacts from that storm and yet another hurricane triggered flooading and surf advisories up and down the coast.
A coastal flood advisory and high surf advisory are in effect through 5 p.m. Tuesday for Los Angeles County, according to the National Weather Service.
Surf could reach 4 to 7 feet at times, particularly at south-facing beaches. Forecasters said the combination of elevated surf and unusually high tides could send seawater across low-lying walkways, parking lots and roads and cause significant beach erosion.
High tides are expected to approach 7 feet Monday and Tuesday — nearly a foot higher than typical tide levels because of the ongoing effects of El Niño, forecasters said.
Officials have also warned residents about an increased risk of drowning from powerful rip currents capable of pulling swimmers and surfers away from shore.
Avalon on Catalina Island, Long Beach and Malibu are among the areas of greatest concern. The NWS warned that very localized damage to structures could occur in particularly vulnerable coastal areas.
In Orange and San Diego counties, a coastal flood advisory remains in effect through 5 p.m. Wednesday. Surf of 3 to 5 feet is expected, with sets reaching 6 to 7 feet at some south- and southwest-facing beaches.
Minor flooding and erosion are most likely around the morning high tides through Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.
Polo remained a Category 3 hurricane Monday as it approached Baja California Sur with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm was expected to cross the peninsula before making another landfall in mainland Mexico early Tuesday.
The hurricane center warned of life-threatening winds, flash flooding and mudslides in Mexico.
Southern California will remain far from Polo's center, forecasters say. However, the monsoonal moisture already brought torrential rain, mudslides, and lightning to Southern California's mountains over the weekend.
In San Diego County, moisture associated with Hurricane Odalys, off central Mexico, has produced extensive cloud cover and could bring a few sprinkles or light showers, particularly around the mountains and eastern parts of the county. Little or no measurable rain is expected in most coastal and valley communities.
ABC 7 reported that forecast models also showed a slight possibility of light rain reaching parts of San Diego County and a very small chance of rain around Los Angeles as Polo's outer moisture moves through the region.
For most residents away from the beaches, increased humidity and cloud cover are likely to be more noticeable than rainfall.
Monday is expected to be the coolest day of the week across much of Southern California. Temperatures will then climb beginning Tuesday and Wednesday, with inland valleys reaching the mid- to upper 90s in some areas later in the week, according to the NWS.
Coastal communities should remain cooler because of the marine layer.
City News Service contributed to this report.
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