San Diego’s coast faces a coastal flood advisory and high surf advisory through Tuesday night as Hurricane Marie churns in the Pacific Ocean, generating dangerous swells that will impact the region through early next week. The National Weather Service issued both advisories Saturday morning at 6 a.m., extending through 11 p.m. Tuesday.
Large breaking waves of 6 to 10 feet are forecast for south and southwestern-facing beaches, with 4 to 7 feet expected on west-facing beaches, according to the NWS. Strong and dangerous rip and longshore currents will accompany the high surf, creating hazardous swimming and surfing conditions that the weather service warns inexperienced swimmers should avoid entirely.
The coastal flood advisory stems from a combination of high surf and high astronomical tides. Areas like La Jolla can expect high tides reaching 6 to 7 feet Saturday through Tuesday, with tides peaking each evening between 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m., according to NWS predictions. The result will be minor flooding of low-lying beach parking lots, parks, and roads, with only isolated road closures expected.
Hurricane Marie, which strengthened from a tropical storm to a Category 2 hurricane on Friday, won’t make landfall in Southern California. However, the storm continues to churn northwest in the Pacific Ocean, generating the distant swell that will impact the coast. Tropical-storm-force winds extending 185 miles from Marie are already affecting southwest Mexico and Baja California, with the Mexican Navy Weather Station on Clarion Island recently reporting sustained winds of 63 mph and gusts reaching 88 mph from the hurricane.
The National Weather Service advises residents and visitors to take precautions during the advisory period. Drivers should allow extra time for travel as some roads may be closed, and under no circumstances should anyone drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth. Those in flood-prone properties should take necessary actions to protect their homes and belongings.
Beach safety warnings are particularly stringent. Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water entirely due to dangerous surf conditions. The NWS emphasizes never turning your back to the ocean, as waves can travel farther up the beach than expected, especially during high and rising tides. Swimmers should always stay near lifeguards and avoid sea walls and rock jetties.
San Diego County is reminding residents of the potential for isolated heavy rainfall at times during the advisory period, which could lead to flooding or flash flooding in areas affected by recent burn scars. The county has made free sandbags available to residents across multiple locations to help protect homes and properties from flooding and erosion.
Sources
- Orange County Register — Coastal flood advisory details, wave heights, tide predictions, and impacts for San Diego County coastal areas through Tuesday
- Fox 5 San Diego — Hurricane Marie’s track, intensity, impacts on San Diego weather, and coastal flood/high surf advisory information
- National Weather Service San Diego — Official coastal flood advisory and high surf advisory issuance, wave heights, tide data, and safety guidance
- Hoodline — Confirmation of high surf advisory and coastal flood advisory timing from Saturday through Tuesday
