Surf up to 6 feet and tides near 7 feet are heading for La Jolla's beaches through Friday, Oct. 9, as Hurricane Rachel churns off the coast of Mexico.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a beach hazards statement effective Tuesday, Oct. 6, through Friday evening, Oct. 9, and a coastal flood advisory from 6 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, to 11 a.m. Friday for San Diego and Orange County coastal areas. Rachel is not expected to make landfall, but its energy is pushing strong rip currents and elevated surf toward Southern California, Fox 5 San Diego reported.
The NWS expects surf of 3 to 6 feet with dangerous rip currents. High tides could peak between 6.5 and 7 feet during mornings and evenings. Southwest-facing beaches, including stretches in La Jolla, are most exposed.
"There's already a lot of beach erosion going on, and this could possibly make it worse," Paul Steward, lead meteorologist at the NWS San Diego office, told CBS 8. Steward said the swell will peak Wednesday into Friday and primarily affect southwest-facing shoreline that has taken repeated hits during a busy hurricane season fueled by El Niño.
San Diego Fire-Rescue is adding lifeguards in response.
Lt. Charlie Knight of San Diego Fire-Rescue's Marine Safety division told CBS 8 the department is upstaffing beach patrols to match the surge in beachgoers drawn by the heat.
The advisories land on top of an extreme heat warning that remains in effect until 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, for San Diego County coastal areas, according to Fox 5 San Diego. Beach temperatures are expected in the mid-80s to lower 90s, with mesas and higher coastal terrain reaching the mid-90s to around 100 degrees. Overnight lows will stay in the upper 60s to mid-70s.
The NWS warned that flooding could affect beach parking lots, boardwalks and roads, though only isolated road closures are expected. Minor coastal erosion is also possible.
The combination of heat and hazardous water is not new for the season. During Hurricane Polo coverage on Sept. 26, San Diego Fire-Rescue spokesperson Candace Hadley told Fox 5 San Diego that lifeguards had already recorded about 8,000 rescues in 2026, most related to strong rip currents. Hadley urged extra caution whenever beach hazard advisories are active.
The NWS advises swimmers to stay near lifeguard towers and avoid south-facing shoreline where rip currents are strongest. The La Jolla/Riford Library at 7555 Draper Ave. is among San Diego's designated cooling centers open during the heat warning for residents seeking relief from the temperatures.
