Dangerous Surf, Flooding Expected As Hurricane Marie Sends Swell Toward Laguna Beach

DANA POINT, CA — Potentially dangerous surf and rip currents were expected along the Dana Point coast Saturday as Hurricane Marie remained well offshore but sent a growing southerly swell toward the coast.

The National Weather Service said it has high confidence in potentially deadly rip currents and large waves during the Labor Day weekend, particularly at south-facing beaches such as Dana Strand Beach and Salt Creek Beach.

A high surf advisory and coastal flood advisory will be in effect until 11 p.m. Tuesday for the Dana Point coast.

The south swell generated by Marie is expected to produce waves of 5 to 8 feet along exposed south-facing shores, with some Southern California locations, including Malibu, potentially seeing larger waves, forecasters said.

"With huge crowds expected at the beaches for the Labor Day holiday, the emphasis for these statements is to alert the public to be extra careful in and near the ocean," according to the weather service.

High tides will also increase through early next week and are expected to exceed 7 feet by Monday. The combination of elevated tides and the south swell will create a moderate risk of coastal flooding along vulnerable south- facing shores, with Avalon, Long Beach's Alamitos Peninsula and Malibu among the areas of greatest concern.

Marie is forecast to track northwest over the next several days while remaining well off the California coast, but tropical moisture associated with the storm will increase across the region.

Forecasters said light to moderate rain could develop over the weekend, particularly Sunday. The weather service put the chance of rain Sunday at 50% to 80% in Los Angeles County, while forecasters in Orange County said periods of light to locally moderate rain are possible Saturday and Sunday.

Rainfall totals are generally expected to remain below a half-inch and likely under a quarter-inch in most populated areas, with isolated higher amounts possible, particularly in coastal-facing mountains.

Forecasters cautioned that roads could become especially slick with any wetting rain because of oils that have accumulated during the dry summer months.

There is also a 5% chance of excessive rainfall that could produce minor flooding in heavier showers, along with a 5% to 15% chance of thunderstorms, mainly in the mountains and urban areas. Any stalled or repeatedly developing storms could produce more than a quarter-inch of rain in an hour, according to the weather service.

Humidity will increase as Marie's moisture reaches the region, with increased cloud cover expected through the weekend. Overnight temperatures could remain in the 70s along southern coastal areas and coastal valleys where clouds persist.

Forecasters said unsettled weather could linger into early next week as moisture from the remnants of Marie interacts with an unusually active jet stream over the region.

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