Orange County is experiencing Hurricane Marie-related rainfall intermittently throughout Sunday, with potentially dangerous surf and rip currents expected at local beaches as the Labor Day weekend continues.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has indicated high confidence that Hurricane Marie will remain well offshore. However, the system is projected to send a growing southerly swell and large waves toward the coast, particularly impacting south-facing beaches.
In response to these conditions, a high surf advisory and coastal flood advisory have been issued for portions of the Orange County and Los Angeles County coasts. These advisories will remain in effect until 11 p.m. Tuesday. Forecasters anticipate large breaking waves reaching 6 to 10 feet for south and southwestern-facing beaches, and 4 to 7 feet for west-facing beaches. Strong and dangerous rip and longshore currents are also expected.
Further concerns include the possibility of minor coastal flooding. This risk stems from a combination of high surf and high astronomical tides, particularly along vulnerable south-facing shores. Areas such as Long Beach’s Alamitos Peninsula and Malibu were specifically mentioned as being of greatest concern. High tides are forecast to increase through early next week, potentially exceeding 7 feet by Monday. The combined effect of elevated tides and the south swell will create a moderate risk of coastal flooding in some areas.
Officials are urging the public to exercise extreme caution. The NWS noted that the advisories aim to "alert the public to be extra careful in and near the ocean" with large crowds expected for the Labor Day holiday. Inexperienced swimmers, especially, are urged to stay out of the water.
Beyond coastal hazards, forecasters also cautioned that roads could become particularly slick with any wetting rain. This is attributed to the accumulation of oils on roadways during the dry summer months. There is also a 5% to 15% chance of thunderstorms, primarily in the Los Angeles County mountains and urban areas, with potential for significant rainfall if storms stall or repeatedly develop.
Hurricane Marie is forecast to track northwest over the coming days, remaining well off the California coast. As Marie's moisture reaches the region, humidity will increase, and increased cloud cover is expected through the weekend. Overnight temperatures could remain in the 70s along southern coastal areas and coastal valleys where clouds persist. Unsettled weather may linger into early next week as moisture from Marie's remnants interacts with an unusually active jet stream.
Looking ahead, once the storm moves on, the Southland is expected to experience another heat wave. Temperatures are projected to soar into the 90s in many areas beginning Monday, peaking Tuesday through Thursday with triple-digit highs in warmer areas, before declining to more average levels by next weekend. In a regional coordination effort, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said her office continues to work with the Emergency Management Department, Los Angeles Fire Department, Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles County Public Works, and other relevant city departments to ensure personnel are prepared to respond as needed.
