NWS Extends Flood Advisories as Record High Tides Hit Southern California

“They were definitely on the extreme end,” said Devin Black, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service’s Oxnard office, describing the unusually high tides that have battered low-lying coastal areas across Southern California.

The persistent coastal flooding that has swamped communities like Newport Beach and Long Beach is set to linger past initial estimates, with the National Weather Service extending advisories through Friday afternoon, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Extended Advisories Across Southern Coastal Counties

The National Weather Service updated its timeline on Wednesday, extending flood advisories for all Southern California coastal counties until 2 p.m. Friday. These advisories were originally slated to expire on Thursday afternoon. Orange and San Diego counties, which previously faced a more severe flood warning through Thursday, have been downgraded to a coastal advisory lasting through the end of the week. Weather officials have observed seawater pushing over low-lying areas, resulting in shallow water reaching the base of several coastal structures.

Long Beach remains the most acutely affected municipality, maintaining a primary area of concern for regional forecasters over the past several weeks. Tides are projected to approach 8 feet on Thursday morning before gradually subsiding heading into the weekend.

San Pedro Tide Gauge Hits Record 8.02 Feet

The magnitude of the marine activity this week shattered historical benchmarks. The San Pedro tide gauge hit 8.02 feet on Monday morning, eclipsing the previous record of 7.93 feet established in January 2005. Additional tide gauges throughout the region, including installations in La Jolla, approached similar record levels.

While high tides influenced the entire coastline, forecasters noted that the specific angle and magnitude of incoming swells determined the severity of the event. San Diego and Orange counties faced heightened risks due to their direct exposure to a powerful southwesterly swell.

King Tides and Weekend Rain Systems Approach Region

The current coastal inundation may serve as a precursor to more severe marine activity later in the season. Even higher tides, commonly known as king tides, are anticipated around the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day holidays.

Adding to the damp conditions, a separate weather system is projected to move across the region on Saturday and Sunday, potentially bringing fresh rainfall to Los Angeles just as the coastal advisories expire.

More on Southern California: Warm-Water Orca Pods Spotted Hunting Off Southern California Coastline · El Niño Brings Rare Devil Rays to Southern California Coast