High surf expected this weekend, weather officials say

Waves along the Southern and Central California coasts may get as high as 23 feet this weekend due to two “significant” groundswells, weather officials said Thursday.

Forecasters for the National Weather Service said south-facing beaches in Los Angeles County, particularly Malibu and Zuma, could have 5- to 7-feet surf by Friday evening.

By Saturday evening, a second groundswell is expected to bring swells as high as 18 feet along the Central Coast, and surf higher than 20 feet Sunday.

Some Los Angeles and Ventura county beaches, as well as the southern parts of the Santa Barbara County coast, are likely to have high surf conditions continue into Monday, but the size of the waves should lessen significantly by Tuesday morning.

Officials advise that everyone, including fishermen, stay off jetties to avoid the risk of being swept away by the high surf. There will be a high risk of rip currents, making swimming in the ocean dangerous.

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-- Rosanna Xia