Get ready for a wild week, or two, of waves.
Back-to-back-to-back swells are expected to roar into Southern California, a welcome visitor for surfers but also concerning because of the potential for hazardous conditions.
The first in a series of swells started picking up late today, May 12, creating 4-foot to 6-foot surf at south-facing beaches through Friday, when another south, southwest swell is expected to show up, according to Surfline.com. Saturday will bring yet another swell from the southern hemisphere that will last into early next week.
Conditions will require lifeguards across Southern California to keep a watchful eye on the water as the summer season kicks off. Beachgoers should use extra caution near the water.
“Especially when we have situations like these, make sure you are being safe whenever you’re in the water and are looking for rip currents,” said Liz Schenk, meteorologist for the National Weather Service. “Even if the waves aren’t that high, there can be rip currents. Keep an eye on the water and try and swim near a lifeguard or with a buddy to make sure you are safe.”
OC Lifeguard Chief Jason Young said the recent cooler weather has kept big crowds at bay, “but we know at any moment we can get a little heat wave.”
Weather this weekend will be mild with a funky south wind that could make for poor ocean conditions.
Next week, the waves look to stay in the 3-foot to 5-foot range, with even bigger surf the following weekend, but forecasts can change that far out, Young said.
“It looks like (forecasters) are feeling confident we have a run of south swells pouring out underneath New Zealand,” Young said. “It’s basically back-to-back. Another one is tapering off and another one building on top of that, with another one to pick up again on Tuesday. It’s definitely a south-swell run for us.”
The last big swell that was expected to bring big surf to the region didn’t quite materialize as expected, especially in southern Orange County.
“We were ready for a big one,” Young said. “We’ll have to wait to see how (this new series of swells) actually hits us.”
Always check with a lifeguard before going into the water and set up near a lifeguard so they can be “watched, advised and helped if necessary,” Young said.
High tide happens later in the afternoon, so people should be aware of the rising water, especially in areas such as Laguna Beach and Palos Verdes.
“We want to remind people that high tides can pinch off areas and strand people in rocky areas as the tide comes up,” Young said. “We just encourage people to stay on the main parts of the beach, where they are able to exit the beach safely and not get stuck in rocky, enclosed areas.”