The swell of the summer is coming, just in time to wrap up the season.

The National Weather Service issued a high surf advisory that takes effect at 5 p.m. today and last through 5 p.m Friday for south-facing beaches from L.A. to San Luis Obispo County. (We assume San Diego and O.C. will get this too).

Waves could range from 7 to 11 feet, the NWS predicts. According to Pete Thomas' Outdoors, action and adventure blog (via LAObserved) …

A mammoth swell generated by an Antarctic storm will slam Southern California beginning Thursday and last through Labor Day weekend. This is great news for surfers but alarming for lifeguards who will have their hands full dealing with large holiday crowds.

Yeah, heat, holidays and high surf don't mix. People want to dip their toes in the Pacific, not really realizing how powerful an 8-foot wave is, or the kind of underwater turbulence such a swell can create.

The NWS warns there will be a “high risk for rip currents” for “ANYONE [emphasis ours] entering the water.”

The National Weather Service:

A long period southwest swell that originated off the coast of New Zealand in a very powerful storm has crossed most of the Pacific Ocean on its way to the beaches and shoreline of southwest California.

Places like Rincon, Malibu and Windansea should light up like it's Christmas. Just be careful.

[@dennisjromero/djromero@laweekly.com]

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