Hurricane Marie generated 5– to 8-foot surf and hazardous rip currents along the Southern California coast over the Labor Day weekend, according to the National Weather Service. While the Category 2 storm tracked hundreds of miles offshore, it delivered dangerous ocean conditions and slick roadways across the region.
Coastal Hazards and High Surf Advisories
The National Weather Service issued coastal flood and high surf advisories affecting Santa Catalina and Santa Barbara islands, Malibu, Los Angeles, and Ventura County. The advisories ran through Tuesday evening, warning beachgoers of powerful waves and strong rip currents. National Weather Service meteorologist Devin Black advised the public that staying out of the water was the safest course of action during the peak of the swell.
Low-lying areas and south-facing beaches, including Avalon, Long Beach, Point Mugu, and Malibu, experienced minor coastal flooding as evening high tides coincided with the southerly swell. Waves reached 5 to 8 feet along the Los Angeles and Ventura County coasts, with Zuma Beach recording breaks between 8 and 10 feet.
Rainfall and Slick Roadways Across Southern California
According to the National Weather Service, light rainfall began Saturday night, with Sunday marking the wettest period of the holiday weekend. Most lowland areas recorded less than a quarter inch of rain. Higher-elevation zones, such as the San Gabriel Mountains, received up to three-quarters of an inch, alongside a 5% to 15% chance of thunderstorms on Sunday.
Forecasters urged drivers to exercise caution on the roads. The weather service reported that light precipitation mixed with months of accumulated oil created slick driving conditions across regional highways.
Future Tropical Storm Activity
Looking beyond the Labor Day weekend, UC climate scientist Daniel Swain noted that Hurricane Marie will likely not be the final tropical system to impact California. According to Swain, prevailing El Niño conditions bring warm ocean temperatures that typically enhance eastern and central Pacific hurricane activity, pointing to the possibility of one or more tropical systems in September or October.
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