Strong surf shows up at Southern California beaches

California

A much-anticipated swell arrived Wednesday, Jan. 12, bringing beefy waves to the coastline for surfers, but hazardous conditions for novices who were warned to stay clear of the waters.

The National Weather Service’s high surf advisory in Los Angeles County is expected to expire at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, while Orange County’s remains in effect until 1 a.m. Thursday.

  • High surf moved through the region on Wednesday bringing surfers out to Lunada Bay on the Palos Verdes Peninsuls. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)

  • A body border take advantage of high surf in Seal Beach, CA, on Wednesday, January 12, 2022. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • High surf moved through the region on Wednesday bringing surfers out to Lunada Bay on the Palos Verdes Peninsuls. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)

  • Surfers take advantage of high surf in Seal Beach, CA, on Wednesday, January 12, 2022. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • High surf moved through the region on Wednesday bringing surfers out to Lunada Bay on the Palos Verdes Peninsuls. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)

  • High surf moved through the region on Wednesday bringing surfers out to Lunada Bay on the Palos Verdes Peninsuls. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)

  • High surf moved through the region on Wednesday bringing surfers out to Lunada Bay on the Palos Verdes Peninsuls. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)

  • Surfers take advantage of high surf in Seal Beach, CA, on Wednesday, January 12, 2022. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • High surf moved through the region on Wednesday bringing surfers out to Lunada Bay on the Palos Verdes Peninsuls. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)

  • High surf moved through the region on Wednesday bringing surfers out to Lunada Bay on the Palos Verdes Peninsuls. (Photo by Chuck Bennett, Contributing Photographer)

  • Surfers take advantage of high surf in Seal Beach, CA, on Wednesday, January 12, 2022. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Surfers take advantage of high surf in Seal Beach, CA, on Wednesday, January 12, 2022. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • A surfers keeps an eye on the waves during high surf in Seal Beach, CA, on Wednesday, January 12, 2022. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Surfers take advantage of high surf in Seal Beach, CA, on Wednesday, January 12, 2022. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • A body border take advantage of high surf in Seal Beach, CA, on Wednesday, January 12, 2022. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Surfers take advantage of high surf in Seal Beach, CA, on Wednesday, January 12, 2022. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The NWS said waves in the 4- to 7-foot range showed up during the swell, which also brought strong rip currents and dangerous swimming conditions.

Seal Beach lifeguard Chris Pierce said waves were 3-feet to 5-feet at that stretch of beach, with moderate crowds and not many rescues, except a handful of medical aids due to shore-break conditions, with injuries such as dislocated shoulders.

“People look like they’re getting some really fun, really clean waves,” he said.

Lifeguards were warning families with small children to stay clear of the south side of the pier, he said, where waves can be larger and more dangerous than on the northern end of the beach.

“Surfers paddling out, be aware we have shore break that can really sneak up on people,” he said.

NWS meteorologist David Sweet said waves in the Los Angeles area were in the 4- to 6-foot range.

While the high surf advisory is set to expire, surf in the 2- to 5-foot range will still linger through the week in Los Angeles County.

Surfline.com is calling for 4- to 6-foot surf through the week in Orange County.

Santa Ana winds will return by Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, which may call for a wind advisory for the mountains and valley areas, Sweet said.

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