A coastal flood advisory went into effect at 5 a.m. Sunday for Southland beaches, as forecasters warn of potentially record high tides. The National Weather Service (NWS) anticipates high tides ranging between 7.5 and 8 feet during the morning hours from Sunday through Thursday across all coastal areas. These elevated water levels, particularly from Monday through Wednesday, could approach or exceed the current record of 7.93 feet, which was established in San Pedro on January 10, 2005. Tidal records for the region date back to 1924. The advisory is slated to remain in effect until 1 p.m. Thursday and specifically applies to beaches in Los Angeles and Orange counties.
The NWS indicates that "minor coastal flooding is likely purely based on the high tides." Coastal communities should prepare for shallow flooding in typical low-lying areas. Forecasters anticipate impacts such as inundated harbor walkways, flooded beach parking lots, and submerged bike paths. The weather service also notes a moderate rip current risk throughout the duration of the advisory period. Recent weeks have already seen significant damage to homes in areas including Long Beach, Malibu, and Newport Beach due to high surf, providing a backdrop of vulnerability for coastal properties.
Concurrently with the high tide event, the Southland is expected to experience a period of warmer weather early next week. Daytime temperatures are largely predicted to reach the mid- to upper 70s. However, this warmer spell is projected to be short-lived, with cooler conditions following by mid-week. The NWS forecasts a growing potential for a significant storm system to impact the region towards the end of next week.
The weather pattern is expected to shift significantly around Thursday. The NWS reports that onshore flow will return, temperatures will drop, and low pressure will begin to form over the West Coast. These atmospheric changes are anticipated to "open the storm window over California," increasing the likelihood of a substantial storm affecting the local area. Forecasters suggest this storm could arrive as early as Friday, with a higher probability for the weekend. There is a 90% chance of rain occurring sometime within the October 30 to November 2 timeframe, which forecasters indicate will likely impact Halloween activities.
