6-To-12 Foot Waves Pound Hermosa Beach Thanks To Hurricane Rosa

HERMOSA BEACH, CA — Large southerly swells generated by the remnants of Hurricane Rosa will churn the Southland's coastal waters Monday, whipping up high surf and dangerous rip currents along Hermosa Beach and other south-facing beaches in L.A., Orange and San Diego counties and creating perilous conditions for swimmers and surfers, the National Weather Service reported.

The surf will build to 6 to 10 feet with local sets of 12 feet in L.A. County by early Monday morning, then slowly subside late Monday evening into early Tuesday, according to a statement issued by the NWS monitoring station in Oxnard

"Surf will be highest on exposed south-facing beaches. Strong rip currents will likely linger into Tuesday," it said.

High tides of between 5 and 5.5 feet are forecast to occur during the early afternoon Monday and Tuesday, according to the NWS. At some beaches, rip currents could increase during and slightly after tidal run-up on beaches.

"There is an increased risk for ocean drowning. Dangerous rip currents can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea," warned the statement. "Large breaking waves can cause injury, wash people off beaches and rocks and capsize small boats near shore."

Additionally, minor coastal flooding is possible over low-lying coastal areas such as beach parking lots and harbor walkways, mainly around the time of high tide.

In Orange County, surf of 5 to 8 feet will pound the coast, with occasional sets of 9 to 10 feet. Strong rip currents will occur, warned a statement released by the NWS monitoring station in San Diego.

Beachgoers were urged to swim only near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and float rather than swim against the current. If able, swim along the shoreline.

"If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help," the statement urged.

High surf and dangerous currents will also affect the coastline of San Diego County, where surf of 3 to 5 feet and sets of up to 7 feet will hit south-facing beaches, accompanied by "strong long shore currents and rip currents."

High surf advisories will be in force in L.A. and Orange counties through 6 a.m. Tuesday. A beach hazard statement, which is slightly less serious than a high surf advisory, will be in effect though Monday evening in San Diego county.

The NWS forecast partly cloudy skies in L.A. County Monday and highs of 79 at LAX; 80 in Avalon and on Mount Wilson; 84 in Downtown L.A. and Long Beach; 88 in Pasadena, San Gabriel and Burbank; 89 in Saugus and Palmdale; 90 in Lancaster; and 91 in Woodland Hills.

Partly cloudy skies were also forecast in Orange County, along with highs of 75 in San Clemente; 77 in Laguna Beach; 79 in Newport Beach; 88 in Irvine; 89 in Anaheim; 90 in Fullerton and Mission Viejo; and 91 in Yorba Linda.

Tuesday's temperatures will be several degrees lower in L.A. and Orange counties. The NWS forecast precipitation in L.A. and Orange counties later this week. Showers were expected in L.A County Tuesday, when Orange County's forecast calls for thunderstorms, raising fears of mud slides over the Holy Fire burn area.

City News Service; Photo: JANUARY 30: Surfers work the Pacific Ocean waves just off the coast on January 30, 2017 in Venice Beach, California. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)