High Surf Warning for San Diego County Beaches

A series of large west-northwest swells are expected to impact San Diego County's beaches this week, likely bringing with them high surf and potentially dangerous rip currents, forecasters said today.

A National Weather Service high surf advisory is scheduled to go into effect at 5 a.m. Monday and extend until noon Wednesday.

Forecasters said the surf began to build today, ahead of the first swell's peak on Monday in which surf of 5 to 7 feet with local sets to 9 feet are expected.

A second swell, which could bring occasional sets to 10 feet, is expected late Monday and should peak late Tuesday, and a third and potentially larger swell is expected Friday and Saturday.

"Large long-period northwest swells generated by storms moving over the north-central Pacific will likely bring high surf and strong rip currents to Orange and San Diego County beaches for most of the week," the NWS advisory said.

The highest surf locally is expected at west-facing beached south of Del Mar, NWS officials said.

Forecasters said the waves may pose a threat to those standing on jetties, rocks or sea walls near the water's edge. Rip currents could become dangerous for swimmers -- especially those who are inexperienced.

"Elevated surf also frequently results in strong rip currents which can drag people away from the shore and possibly result in drowning," according to the weather service advisory. "Always swim near a lifeguard."

Temperatures in the high 60s to low 70s are expected along the coast this week.

—City News Service