Southern California faces extreme heat and lingering surf hazards after Tropical Storm Marie
A heat advisory covers Los Angeles and surrounding areas as temperatures rise 10-20 degrees above normal, while high surf and flood warnings remain in effect due to moisture from the storm's remnants.
Temperatures across Los Angeles County are set to climb sharply this week, with downtown Los Angeles and Long Beach expected to reach 96-98°F and inland valleys possibly exceeding 105°F. Nighttime lows are projected to stay in the mid-70s, offering little relief before a potentially warmer Wednesday.
"The still-lingering moisture from Marie, combined with the heat, will add to the heat discomfort and create added heat stress," said David Gomberg, lead meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Los Angeles-Oxnard, who also issued a heat advisory for Wednesday and Thursday.
Gombery warned that without cloud cover, Wednesday temperatures could rise further and urged residents to stay hydrated, remain in air-conditioned spaces, and check on vulnerable neighbors.
High surf and coastal flooding advisories remain active until 11 p.m. Tuesday. Officials cautioned that strong rip currents and large waves continue to pose a danger to swimmers and small vessels.
"Anybody who’s inexperienced needs to stay away from the surf zone right now. The waves can start out moderate and then suddenly become very large and dangerous, with extremely strong rip currents," Gomberg added.
Waves as high as 12 feet were recorded at Zuma Beach in Malibu over the weekend, and beach closures and flooding were reported along the coast. In Long Beach, residents described power outages, flooded garages and sand-filled drains, while sand berms built before the storm were washed away.
The storm also brought unusual rainfall, with some areas receiving more than 1.25 inches on Sunday, exacerbating drainage problems. Public health officials advised beachgoers to avoid swimming through Wednesday due to potential bacterial contamination from runoff.
Tide levels, already higher than typical for the season, are expected to reach up to 7.2 feet on Tuesday, a slight increase that can extend water further inland, according to Gomberg.