Orange County residents and commuters face significant disruptions this week as exceptionally high tides, some potentially breaking records, are anticipated along the coast. A coastal flood warning issued by the National Weather Service remains in effect for the entire Orange County coastline until 1 p.m. Thursday, indicating an increased threat of coastal flooding, beach erosion, and isolated property damage.
Morning tides are expected to range from 7.5 to 8 feet along the Los Angeles County coastline from Monday through Wednesday. Forecasters from the National Weather Service noted that these tides “Monday through Wednesday could produce the highest on record,” potentially challenging the 7.93-foot record set in San Pedro on January 10, 2005. Records for that location date back to 1924. In Orange County, the tides are running about 1 to 1.7 feet above astronomical predictions, while Los Angeles County sees tides roughly 1 to 1.5 feet above predictions.
Commuters relying on rail service will experience direct impacts. Metrolink Orange County Line service will be suspended starting Monday between the Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo and Oceanside stations. Trains will instead originate and terminate at the Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo Station through Friday, according to Metrolink.
Minor coastal flooding is likely in vulnerable low-lying areas, including harbor walkways, beach parking lots, bike paths, and normally sandy beaches, the weather service stated. More significant flooding and damage are possible in locations with little to no remaining sandy beach or where previous high tides have already caused problems. Areas such as Long Beach, Malibu, and Newport Beach have already experienced substantial damage to homes from high surf in recent weeks.
Away from the immediate coastal threat, dry and warm weather is expected to continue across both Los Angeles and Orange counties through Monday, characterized by mostly clear skies and generally weak winds. A gradual return of onshore winds is anticipated Tuesday, bringing slightly cooler temperatures and an increasing marine layer along the coast.
Looking ahead, forecasters indicate another storm system could reach Southern California late Thursday or Friday, potentially leading to a “wet and unsettled Halloween weekend for Southern California.” There is high confidence that measurable rain will fall across most, if not all, of the region between Friday and the weekend, though the exact timing and rainfall amounts are still uncertain. Rainfall totals could range from one-half inch to 2 inches, but forecasters caution that actual amounts could be higher or lower as the storm develops.
