Powerful Swells, Rip Currents and Coastal Flooding Threaten Holiday Weekend Beachgoers. Beaches in Los Angeles and Hawaii are preparing for dangerous conditions as a cluster of powerful storms in the Pacific sends large swells toward the US coast.
Southern California is expected to avoid a direct hit from Hurricane Marie, but the storm is forecast to generate hazardous surf, powerful rip currents and coastal flooding along south-facing beaches during the Labor Day weekend. At the same time, Hurricane Lowell remains a major concern for Hawaii, where large swells and dangerous ocean conditions are already affecting parts of the islands.
Los Angeles Beaches Face High Surf and Flooding Risk
Officials in Los Angeles County have warned beachgoers about dangerous conditions expected to develop over the holiday weekend.
Large breaking waves of around five to eight feet are forecast along parts of the Southern California coast, while higher tides could increase the risk of coastal flooding in vulnerable areas. Beaches, parking lots and walkways in low-lying coastal areas could be particularly exposed.
The National Weather Service has also warned that powerful rip currents could pull swimmers and surfers away from shore, while large waves may knock people from rocks and beaches or create dangerous conditions for small boats.
Hurricane Marie Stays Offshore but Still Brings Danger
Hurricane Marie is expected to remain well offshore, reducing the risk of a direct tropical strike on Southern California.
However, tropical systems do not need to make landfall to create dangerous conditions along the coast. Powerful swells generated far out in the Pacific can travel hundreds of miles and produce dangerous surf when they reach California beaches.
Southern California could also experience increased humidity, clouds and isolated rain or thunderstorms as tropical moisture associated with the system moves toward the region.
Hawaii Watches Powerful Hurricane Lowell
In Hawaii, attention remains focused on Hurricane Lowell, which has been moving through the central Pacific as a powerful major hurricane.
Forecasts remain uncertain, but the storm has the potential to move closer to the Hawaiian Islands after making a turn toward the north. Even if Lowell remains offshore, forecasters expect dangerous surf, strong rip currents and potentially heavy rainfall in parts of the state.
The uncertainty surrounding Lowell’s path has increased concern among residents and emergency officials, particularly because changes in the storm’s track could bring more serious impacts to some islands.
Rare Cluster of Pacific Hurricanes Raises Concerns
The dangerous weather is part of an unusually active period in the Pacific, where several hurricanes have been active at the same time.
Hurricanes Marie, Karina and Lowell have created a rare cluster of powerful storms across the basin, with their combined activity generating dangerous ocean conditions over a wide area.
While the storms are separated by large distances and are not expected to combine, their presence is contributing to widespread swells affecting coastlines from Hawaii to California.
Officials Urge Beachgoers to Stay Alert
Authorities are urging residents and visitors to take ocean warnings seriously during the busy holiday weekend.
Rip currents and unexpectedly large waves can create dangerous conditions even when the weather along the beach appears calm. Officials have warned that inexperienced swimmers should avoid entering the water when hazardous conditions are present.
Coastal erosion and localized flooding could also worsen around periods of high tide, particularly in exposed areas of Southern California.
Weather Threat Could Continue Into Next Week
The most dangerous coastal conditions in Southern California are expected to continue through the Labor Day weekend and into the following days, depending on the movement and strength of the Pacific storms.
For Hawaii, the path of Hurricane Lowell will remain the biggest uncertainty. Forecasters are continuing to monitor the storm closely as its future direction could determine whether the islands experience only dangerous surf or more significant weather impacts.
For now, beaches in both Los Angeles and Hawaii are facing an unusually dangerous period of tropical weather, with officials warning that the biggest threat may come not from a direct hurricane landfall but from the powerful waves and ocean conditions generated far offshore.
