Hurricanes Stir Pacific Waters, Threaten Coastal Areas

Two hurricanes in the Pacific Ocean off Mexico are sending high surf toward Southern California, which will coincide with unusually high tides, posing risks for beachgoers and potential coastal flooding.

The hurricanes, Polo and Odalys, are not predicted to reach land in California, though isolated showers are anticipated in parts of Southern California on Monday. However, other regions in the Southwest are likely to experience significant rainfall.

Polo, a Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of 140 mph, is heading towards Baja California Sur and is expected to make landfall on Monday, bringing severe rains and flooding.

Hurricane Odalys, currently with 90 mph winds, is located nearly 900 miles west of Baja California’s southern tip and is forecast to turn away from land and weaken.

Polo’s rapid intensification into a major hurricane was fueled by warm ocean waters. Marty Ralph, director of the Center for Western Weather & Water Extremes at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography, noted the unusual persistence of such an intense storm reaching Baja California due to warm ocean temperatures maintaining its strength.

The hurricanes have emerged during a marine heat wave and a strong El Niño, characterized by the warming of ocean waters in the central and eastern Pacific.

A dog plays in the sand as heavy equipment operators construct berms to protect homes on the Long Beach Peninsula. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Hurricane Nolo is also affecting Hawaii with strong winds and heavy rain this weekend.

In Los Angeles and Ventura counties, surf reaching four to seven feet is expected on Monday and Tuesday, accompanied by strong rip currents and potential coastal flooding, according to Lisa Phillips, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Oxnard office.

Phillips stated, “Ocean water is going to creep up higher than normal. We also have high tides going on at the same time as the higher surf, so that’s when we start to see more of those coastal flooding impacts, beach erosion.”

The National Weather Service has issued a coastal flood advisory for Los Angeles and Ventura counties on Monday and Tuesday and for Orange and San Diego counties from Monday through Wednesday.

Forecasters advise beachgoers to be cautious, consult lifeguards about swimming safety, and avoid rock jetties.

Earlier in the month, intense waves from Hurricane Marie caused damage to beachfront homes in Southern California and eroded beaches. In Long Beach, where waves impacted the seawall and homes, crews have been reinforcing parts of the boardwalk and providing sandbags.

As Polo reaches Mexico, Southern California may see unusual clouds and light showers, according to Ralph, though the region will remain on the storm’s outer edge as it moves through Baja California to mainland Mexico and the desert Southwest.

Substantial rains are expected in Arizona and New Mexico, and the storm might bring enough moisture to slightly boost the Colorado River’s depleted reservoirs.