Beach Hazard Warning Issued In Palos Verdes

PALOS VERDES, CA — LA County beaches are under a beach hazard warning from Thursday afternoon until Saturday at 11 a.m., the National Weather Service announced.

“Dangerous rip currents and breaking waves are expected due to elevated surf of 3 to 6 feet,” the NWS said Thursday afternoon, advising swimmers and surfers to avoid going into beaches in LA County, Catalina and Santa Barbara Islands, and south and southwest facing beaches in Ventura County. A similar warning is in place for the central coasts of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties.

Moderate south swell and breezy westerly winds are resulting in an increased risk of drowning, the NWS said. Rip currents can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea, and large waves can wash people off beaches and rocks, and capsize small boats. Surf may increase Friday and Friday night, reaching High Surf Advisory levels.

A {BEACH HAZARD STATEMENT} is in effect through Saturday AM for all @countyofla beaches. Moderate south swell and breezy westerly winds will create elevated surf heights and increased rip current activity. Swim, Surf, and Bodyboard in front of an OPEN Lifeguard Tower! pic.twitter.com/2Gtdk6K9PV
— LACoFD Lifeguards (@LACoLifeguards) May 20, 2021

Swimmers and surfers are advised to stay close to open lifeguard towers should they choose to go in.

In Palos Verdes, winds are gusting at 13 mph as of Thursday afternoon, and could reach up to 25 mph Friday. Speeds of up to 20 mph are predicted over the weekend.