Dangerous waves, warm temperatures prevail in Southern California

LOS ANGELES — High surf will strike the Southland coast today as strong winds sweep mountain areas amid more high heat, with highs again reaching the mid-80s, National Weather Service forecasters said.

A large, long-period west swell will create dangerous wave conditions along the beaches Wednesday moing through Thursday evening, according to the NWS.

A beach hazards statement, which is a notch below a high surf advisory in terms of seriousness will be in force through Thursday evening in L.A. County.

The high surf “will lead to an increased occurrence of dangerous rip currents and sneaker waves. Enhanced beach erosion is likely,” a statement said. “Minor coastal flooding of beach parking lots and walkways will be possible in Ventura and Los Angeles counties.”

Also scheduled -- until 3 p.m. today -- is a wind advisory for the San Gabriel Mountains, where forecasters expect winds of between 20 and 30 miles per hour, gusting to 45 mph.

The strongest winds will occur around Interstate 5, according to the NWS.

Temperatures, meanwhile, will remain around 15 degrees above normal. The NWS forecast partly cloudy skies and highs of 55 in Big Bear; 68 in Palmdale; 69 on Mount Wilson and Lancaster; 75 in Avalon; 78 in Redlands; 79 in San Pedro and San Beardino; 80 in Ontario and Saugus; 81 in Rancho Cucamonga and at LAX; 82 in Anaheim and Irvine; 83 in Van Nuys, Northridge, Burbank, Torrance, Long Beach and downtown L.A,; and 84 in Pasadena, San Gabriel, West Covina, Whittier and Woodland Hills.

Roughly similar temperatures are expected tomorrow, but under suy skies. A cooldown will begin Saturday, but temperatures will remain mild for days.

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