Swimmers Advised To Stay Out Of The Water This Weekend

PACIFIC PALISADES, CA — We're in store for another beautiful weekend in the Palisades, but officials warn the ocean will be more dangerous than normal for swimmers and surfers. A beach hazards advisory is in effect from Friday night until Sunday evening, with the National Weather Service warning of dangerous rip currents and breaking waves due to elevated surf.

Surf level could reach three to six feet, especially on south-facing beaches, NWS said. The warning impacts Will Rogers Beach, along with the entire Los Angeles County Coast and even the Catalina and Santa Barbara Islands.

"There is an increased risk of ocean drowning," NWS said. "Rip currents can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea. Waves can wash people off beaches and rocks, and capsize small boats nearshore. The primary swell is from the south, but strong winds in the coastal waters may favor a mixed swell later in the weekend."

The agency suggests swimmers and surfers hold off from going in the water, or stay near occupied lifeguard towers at an absolute minimum. Rock jetties in particular should be avoided, as they can be deadly when waves knock people into the water.

Temperature wise, forecasters call for mostly cloudy skies on Saturday morning that will give way to sunshine around noon. The high will be 66 degrees, with winds gusting as high as 15 mph.

Patchy fog will roll in overnight, but will give way to partly sunny skies by around 11 a.m. Sunday morning. The high will be about 64 degrees with wind gusts of up to 20 mph.