Gusty Winds, High Surf Through Friday

Strong winds swept Santa Monica today while heavy surf pounded the coast, creating perilous conditions for swimmers and surfers.

National Weather Service forecasters said northeast winds in the 5-10 mph range gusting at 20 mph would persist through noon, abate, then return late tonight and linger into Thursday night.

The coastline was being pounded as a result of a large swell created by a big storm that formed in the eastern Pacific, according to the Weather Service.

West-facing beaches of Los Angeles County will be hit today by breakers of seven to nine feet, with maximum sets of 11 feet.

"The high surf will cause a high risk of rip currents,'' according to a Weather Service advisory, and forecasters said there could be minor tidal overflows.

A high surf advisory will be in effect until 2 p.m. Friday in both L.A. and Orange counties. Additionally, a small craft advisory will go into effect in the outer waters off the Orange County coastline at 4 p.m. today and in the inner waters at 10 p.m.

The Weather Service forecast highs today, amid sunny skies, of 71 degrees in Santa Monica; 68 in Newport Beach; 70 in Burbank; 72 in Pasadena; and 73
in Downtown L.A.

Temperatures were forecast to rise to 75 degrees Thursday before something of a cooling trend gets under way on Saturday.

— City News Service