Hurricane Marie is bringing dangerous surf conditions, elevated coastal flooding risk and a chance of rain to San Diego and the wider Southern California coastline this Labor Day weekend, according to multiple US-based reports. Even though the storm itself is forecast to remain far out over the Pacific.
The US National Weather Service has issued a coastal flood advisory and a high surf advisory for San Diego County’s coastline, in effect from Saturday morning through Tuesday night, as swells generated by the hurricane push toward the shore.
Hurricane Marie: How is Hurricane Marie affecting Southern California?
Marie strengthened from a tropical storm into a hurricane this week and continued intensifying over the eastern Pacific, reaching category 2 strength before forecasters expect some weakening as it tracks northwest. Despite that strength, the storm poses minimal risk of making landfall in North America, with forecast models indicating it will take a more westerly path and remain over open water well off the coast. Even so, forecasters say the region will still feel indirect effects through the holiday weekend, primarily in the form of a south swell generating unusually large waves.
Hurricane Marie: What warnings has the National Weather Service issued?
The US National Weather Service’s San Diego office warned on social media that dangerous swimming and surfing conditions were expected along the coast, urging beachgoers to exercise caution around the water.
Country’s forecasters said breaking waves of between six and ten feet, combined with strong and dangerous rip currents and longshore currents, were expected to affect San Diego County’s coastline throughout the advisory period.
Hurricane Marie: How high will the surf and tides get?
Meteorologists say waves in the six-to-eight-foot range are likely along south-facing beaches in North County, with some forecasts suggesting swells could reach as high as eight feet in exposed areas. High tides of between six and seven feet are expected along stretches of the coast, including popular spots such as La Jolla, raising the risk that coastal parking lots, boardwalks and low-lying roads could see periodic flooding as the elevated surf combines with high astronomical tides.
Hurricane Marie: Will Southern California see rain and thunderstorms this weekend?
Alongside the surf and flooding risk, moisture drawn up from the storm system is expected to bring increased humidity and a chance of scattered showers to the region, with the greatest likelihood of rain falling on Sunday.
NBC News’ San Diego meteorologist Alex Bledsoe said the region could feel noticeably more tropical over the holiday weekend regardless of whether measurable rain materialises, adding that forecasters were increasingly confident about rising humidity, cloud cover and surf. A slight chance of afternoon thunderstorms was also flagged for the mountains, deserts and inland valleys on Sunday.
Hurricane Marie: Is it expected to make landfall in California?
Forecasters have consistently said the chance of Marie making direct landfall anywhere in Southern California remains extremely low, with the storm’s core expected to stay hundreds of miles offshore as it curves away from the coast. The US National Hurricane Center and the National Weather Service said they would continue monitoring the system and issuing updated guidance as conditions evolved through the weekend.
Hurricane Marie: What else should residents watch for this weekend?
Beyond the coastal hazards, forecasters flagged an elevated fire weather risk earlier in the week, driven by gusty afternoon winds and drier conditions across the region’s eastern valleys, mountains and deserts ahead of the storm’s arrival.
Warmer, more humid nights were also expected from Friday through Sunday, with inland areas including the Inland Empire likely to see highs well into the 90s and desert regions approaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Authorities have urged residents planning beach outings over the long weekend to heed posted advisories, avoid swimming in areas with strong currents, and stay well back from the water’s edge given the size of the incoming swell.
