Surf's up, beach lovers! Get ready for an epic weekend of wave action along the Southern California coastline. The National Weather Service is sounding the alarm with a High Surf Advisory that's lighting up both Orange County and San Diego County from 8 AM today through 10 PM Monday.
Buckle up for some serious maritime mayhem! We're talking monster waves that'll make even seasoned surfers think twice. Orange County is expecting surf heights between 4 to 7 feet, with local sets pushing up to 8 feet. Meanwhile, San Diego County is cranking it up a notch with 5 to 8 foot swells and potential local sets reaching a jaw-dropping 9 feet.
The swell is coming in hot from the west - we're talking 260 to 280 degrees for Orange County and 270 to 290 degrees for San Diego. Water temperatures are hovering in the chilly 57 to 61 degree range, so grab that wetsuit if you're planning to paddle out.
Rip current risk? It's at HIGH alert, folks. Translation: these waters are not for the faint of heart. Life-threatening currents are likely, so unless you're a professional with serious skills, this might be a spectator sport today.
Tides are doing their dance in Newport Beach and La Jolla. Expect dramatic shifts from near-zero to 5.5-foot levels throughout the day. The morning low tides hit around 4:30 AM, with high tides rolling in mid-morning and late evening.
Bottom line: This is an advanced surfer's playground. Casual swimmers and novice water enthusiasts should stay on the beach and enjoy the show. Stay safe, stay smart, and respect the ocean's power!