Dangerous Rip Currents And High Surf Expected In LA County: Report

LOS ANGELES, CA —The National Weather Service cautioned those who plan to visit the beach this weekend due to high surf and life-threatening rip currents caused by warm waters.

Officials said that waves in Los Angeles county are expected to crest at around 5 or 6 feet and some currents could move as quickly as 8 feet per second.

“We are expecting to see some elevated surf this weekend, pretty much through Sunday,” Casey Oswant, a National Weather Service meteorologist based in San Diego, told the Los Angeles Times. “With that higher surf, we are expecting an increased risk for strong rip currents — that’s something that beachgoers should look out for this weekend.”

Oswant suggested that people who plan to swim should do so after touching base with lifeguards and should swim in front of lifeguard stands.

Ocean temperatures should reach 68 to 72 degrees according to the National Weather Service, which could make coastal weather feel more humid. While temperatures could lower this weekend, they are expected to warm up again, reaching the 90s next week.

Read more from the Los Angeles Times: Big Waves, warm waters, dangerous rip currents expected along Southern California coast this weekend