Tropical Storm Marie, positioned several hundred miles off the coast of Mexico, is forecast to intensify into a hurricane by Thursday morning. Reporting from LAist indicates the system is following a northwest trajectory common for storms in the eastern Pacific, with minimal likelihood of turning northward toward land.
National Weather Service meteorologist Rich Thompson stated that the current forecast track shows Marie continuing westward and northwestward, moving farther away from the continent. The storm itself is not expected to make landfall in Southern California.
Even at a distance, Marie is projected to influence local weather and ocean conditions significantly during the upcoming holiday weekend. The primary concerns center on coastal areas, where large swells and powerful rip currents are anticipated, particularly at beaches facing south.
Thompson noted that beach and coastal effects represent the main development to monitor, with a substantial southeast swell expected to reach the shoreline from the hurricane. This could lead to elevated risks of rip currents and localized flooding along vulnerable stretches of coast.
Beach attendance has already been heavy this summer, with more than 1,200 ocean rescues performed by Los Angeles County lifeguards last weekend amid large crowds. Similar numbers of visitors are likely this weekend, increasing exposure to the heightened surf conditions.
Authorities recommend remaining near staffed lifeguard stations, avoiding jetties and rocks, and following all posted warnings. Swimmers caught in a rip current should move parallel to shore until free of the pull before angling back toward land.
Marie is also expected to transport additional moisture northward, resulting in overcast skies and a chance of light rain across the region. Amounts are likely to stay below half an inch, with roughly a 50 percent probability of measurable precipitation, though forecasters note some uncertainty depending on minor track adjustments.
This report is based on coverage by LAist: https://laist.com/news/climate-environment/southern-california-hurricane-maria-forecast-dangerous-surf