Coastal Flood Advisory and High Surf Hit Los Angeles and San Diego

Southern California beaches are facing a new round of hazardous conditions this week as high surf and strong rip currents return to the coastline.

A coastal flood advisory remains in effect for Los Angeles County through noon Tuesday, bringing a renewed risk of minor flooding and dangerous swimming conditions to the region.

Meteorologists anticipate elevated surf between 4 and 6 feet, with high tides projected to reach 7 feet during morning hours. While the current event is expected to impact west-facing beaches, forecasters at the National Weather Service Oxnard office note that the flooding should remain shallow, primarily affecting low-lying walkways rather than the widespread street inundation seen two weeks ago.

The current weather pattern is driven by a northwest swell, which shifts the primary risk to west-facing beaches. Devin Black, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service Oxnard office, explained the difference between this event and recent coastal flooding.

Nov. 9, 2026 | Coastal flood advisory through Tuesday | San Diego Weather Today

With this situation, compared to the previous events we’ve had over the last couple of months, this one’s targeting more of the west facing beaches because we have a northwest swell. Even so, we’ll still have elevated tides.

While the threat to infrastructure like roads in Long Beach and Newport Beach is lower than in previous weeks, the danger to swimmers remains high. Authorities warn that the combination of high tides and strong surf creates treacherous conditions, particularly near rock jetties.

The risks are not limited to the Los Angeles area. San Diego County is also experiencing elevated surf, leading to an increase in rescues. Sebastian Westerink, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s San Diego office, highlighted the danger posed to beachgoers during the warm start to the week.

We’re already seeing a pretty good amount of rip currents and rescues yesterday, which you can imagine a combination of a warm beach day and those high surf conditions you’d have a lot of people in the water.

The danger of these conditions became clear Saturday near Ocean Pier, when a rip current stripped the leash from a seasoned surfer's ankle, forcing him to abandon his board. The surfer, identified as Luke Jackson, successfully made it back to shore, though his board was destroyed in the process, as reported by NBC 7 San Diego.

The region is experiencing a notable temperature swing. Coastal areas and western valleys are seeing temperatures 10 to 15 degrees above normal, though a cooling trend is expected by Thursday. This cycle of warmth followed by unsettled weather is a hallmark of the Southern California autumn.

Coastal Flood Advisory in effect in San Diego County

Forecasters anticipate a brief reprieve after Tuesday, with surf and tide levels projected to drop. However, another uptick in surf is expected by the weekend as a new system approaches. While the exact trajectory remains uncertain, there is a possibility of showers arriving between Friday and Sunday.

For residents and visitors, the immediate priority remains water safety. Official updates on tide levels and surf conditions can be monitored through the National Weather Service, which provides real-time data for coastal communities. Those planning to visit the coast should prioritize designated swimming areas where lifeguards are present, as the current swell conditions remain highly unpredictable.