High Waves Expected in SoCal Until Saturday

A high surf advisory was issued Thursday by the National Weather Service warning local beachgoers of strong rip currents and possible coastal flooding through Saturday morning.

The advisory affects beaches in Los Angeles County and the west shores of Catalina Island. The Southern California coast will be impacted by late Thursday afternoon until 9 a.m. Saturday, according to the NWS advisory.

"A high surf advisory means that high surf will affect beaches in the advisory area ... producing rip currents and localized beach erosion," according to the NWS.

Forecasters also predicted a chance of coastal flooding and breakers of 6 to 12 feet with max sets of 14 feet through Saturday morning.

"Due to a combination of the large swell and wind waves generated by strong, gusty winds, there will also be a chance of minor tidal overflow during the time of high tides," the advisory said.

Temperatures in Palos Verdes are forecast in the mid-70s on Thursday and low-70s on Friday. Warmer weather is expected for Sunday and Monday with highs in the upper 70s.

Several heat records for Jan. 4 were set in the region—91 in San Gabriel, breaking the record of 87 set in 2001; 89 at UCLA, six degrees higher than the record 83 set in 2001; 88 in Long Beach, besting the record of 65 set in 1969; 85 at LAX, compared to 82 on Jan. 4 2001.

—City News Service contributed to this report.