Swimmers Beware: Dangerous Conditions Expected

Local sets of 8 feet are possible, north of Newport Beach and south of Del Mar.

Summer-like temperatures will send crowds to the beaches this weekend, but dangerous swimming conditions will be present, starting Friday.

The National Weather Service has issued a Beach Hazard for San Diego and Orange County beaches, starting Friday, and lasting through Sunday evening.

A large west-northwest swell is expected to produce surf of 3 to 6 feet on Friday. Waves will build to 4 to 7 feet on Saturday. Local sets of 8 feet are possible, north of Newport Beach and south of Del Mar.

Surf of 3 to 6 feet is expected on Sunday.

Of even greater concern will be dangerous rip currents.

“This will not be a good weekend to go in the water,” said NBC 7’s Meteorologist Jodi Kodesh. “Powerful rip currents will make it difficult to swim, even for experienced swimmers.”

Kodesh says, if you insist on swimming at the beach, swim near a lifeguard.

“Lifeguards will be able to tell you where the rip currents are, and where it is safer to swim,” said Kodesh.

Kodesh said this swell is being produced by a storm system that is currently moving into the Pacific Northwest.
 

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