Flooding, Strong Winds Expected Later This Week

A coastal flooding warning is in effect for much of the Southland starting Thursday and continuing to Saturday, according to the National Weather Service. 

High surf and windy conditions, along with higher-than-usual tides, known as King Tides, may cause minor flooding along some beaches, streets and parking facilities in Los Angeles County.

The last King Tide occurred in early December 2012; they typically happen two to four times a year. The high tide is predicted at 6.9 feet at 7:20 a.m. on Thursday, 7 feet at 8:10 a.m. on Friday and 6.8 feet at 9 a.m. on Saturday. The next King Tide is expected on Feb. 7.

Californiakingtides.org, a nonprofit, encourages people to upload photos of King Tides and any coastal flooding they may cause. The project is an effort to show what the future may hold for California’s coastline as sea levels could rise as much as 6.6 feet by 2100 because of climate change, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association.

A storm system that will bring cold air, wind and rain from the north is also expected to hit the area on Thursday, according to NWS. Winds will subside by Saturday, however the cold air may linger into the following week.

Rainfall will be light and snow is expected above 3,000 feet by Thursday afternoon. Wind will peak at about 50 mph in the I-5 corridor on Friday. People traveling into the mountains this weekend are urged to prepare for very cold temperatures and icy roads.