Beach Hazard Warning Issued In Santa Monica

SANTA MONICA, 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.

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

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

In Santa Monica, winds are gusting at 20 mph as of Thursday afternoon, and could reach up to 30 mph Friday, before slowing down to a high of 15 mph over the weekend.