Hazardous surf conditions predicted for Labor Day weekend
A surfer walks through the sand near the Huntington Beach Pier.
High waves and strong rip currents caused by a winter storm in the Southern Hemisphere are expected to create dangerous surf conditions at the area’s most popular beaches during the Labor Day weekend, officials said.
The National Weather Service issued a beach hazard warning that extends through Monday evening, with waves predicted as high as 7 feet as well as rip currents and larger “sneaker waves” that can sweep a person away without warning.
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The largest surf is expect to hit south- and southwest-facing beaches such as Cabrillo, Malibu and Zuma in Los Angeles County and Port Hueneme and the Point in Ventura.
The warning comes after the death of a swimmer who got caught in a rip current at Venice Beach on Thursday. The man and two other people were swimming about 200 from shore when they began struggling in the current, according to Lidia Barillas, a spokeswoman for the L.A. County Fire Department’s Lifeguard Division.
The hot weather and holiday weekend is expected to draw larger-than-usual crowds to the beach.
In Hermosa Beach, lifeguards are telling beachgoers to swim close to a lifeguard station, NWS meteorologist Robbie Munroe said on Saturday. And in Manhattan Beach, Barillas said there are signs of a southern swell building. The water conditions have led to numerous rescues, she said.
For more California breaking news, follow @AngelJennings. She can also be reached at angel.jennings@latimes.com.
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