Leslie Lopez Weather Discussion – Tuesday, August 26, 2014

We’re going to begin to warm things up tomorrow!  A high pressure system will come in and warm us up nicely, about 5 degrees above average temperatures. It will also push away the marine layer from our coastline! 

BUT, now on to the big story – the next few days our waves are going to be huge! We are expecting to see big surf in San Diego, so a Beach Hazards Statement has been issued by the National Weather Service.

The biggest sets will be north of Carlsbad. Find south facing beaches. Orange County and L.A. will see even bigger waves than San Diego. The big waves will roll in tonight and be around until Thursday. 

Here’s the breakdown:

South San Diego: 3 – 4 ft. 

Far North San Diego: 4 – 7 ft. , occasional 9 footers.

Orange County: 7 – 10 ft. today, then 10 – 15 ft. tomorrow

Even though this is amazing for some surfers out there, there are negative impacts to such big surf. Rip currents are a big concern for anyone swimming or even walking along the shore. People walking near the waves can be knocked down and pulled out into the surf. Remember if you are caught in a rip current, swim parallel to shore, keep calm and wave to signal for help. 

Coastal flooding is also possible, mainly for Orange County. Structural damage is possible along with significant to major beach erosion, so protect your homes if you are along the beachfront. 

And a reminder to not stand on jetties or seawalls to get a closer look at the waves. These crashing waves are a serious danger! 

This viewer picture is from Tracy Valenta in Del Mar! Stunning shot!

7-day outlook issued by the National Weather Service as of Tuesday 11am:

TODAY…PARTLY CLOUDY. HIGHS 75 TO 80 NEAR THE COAST TO 80 TO 85 INLAND. LIGHT WINDS BECOMING WEST 15 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON.

TONIGHT…MOSTLY CLEAR IN THE EVENING…BECOMING PARTLY CLOUDY. PATCHY FOG OVERNIGHT. LOWS 61 TO 68. AREAS OF WINDS NORTHWEST 15 MPH IN THE EVENING BECOMING LIGHT.

WEDNESDAY…PARTLY CLOUDY IN THE MORNING…BECOMING MOSTLY SUNNY. PATCHY FOG IN THE MORNING. HIGHS 77 TO 82 NEAR THE COAST TO 84 TO 89 INLAND. LIGHT WINDS.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT…CLEAR. LOWS 63 TO 68. LIGHT WINDS.

THURSDAY…SUNNY. HIGHS 77 TO 82 NEAR THE COAST TO 83 TO 88 INLAND. LIGHT WINDS BECOMING WEST 15 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 25 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON.

THURSDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLEAR IN THE EVENING…BECOMING PARTLY CLOUDY. PATCHY FOG OVERNIGHT. LOWS 63 TO 68.

FRIDAY…PARTLY CLOUDY IN THE MORNING…BECOMING MOSTLY SUNNY. PATCHY FOG IN THE MORNING. HIGHS 74 TO 79 NEAR THE COAST TO 81 TO 86 INLAND.

FRIDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLEAR IN THE EVENING…BECOMING PARTLY CLOUDY. PATCHY FOG OVERNIGHT. LOWS 62 TO 67.

SATURDAY…PARTLY CLOUDY IN THE MORNING…BECOMING MOSTLY SUNNY. PATCHY FOG IN THE MORNING. HIGHS 74 TO 79 NEAR THE COAST TO 79 TO 84 INLAND.

SATURDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLEAR IN THE EVENING…BECOMING PARTLY CLOUDY. PATCHY FOG OVERNIGHT. LOWS 63 TO 68.

SUNDAY…PARTLY CLOUDY IN THE MORNING…BECOMING MOSTLY SUNNY. PATCHY FOG IN THE MORNING. HIGHS 74 TO 79 NEAR THE COAST TO 80 TO 85 INLAND.

SUNDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLEAR IN THE EVENING…BECOMING PARTLY CLOUDY. PATCHY FOG OVERNIGHT. LOWS 63 TO 68.

LABOR DAY…PARTLY CLOUDY IN THE MORNING…BECOMING MOSTLY SUNNY. PATCHY FOG IN THE MORNING. HIGHS 73 TO 78 NEAR THE COAST TO 78 TO 83 INLAND.