The National Weather Service (NWS) in the United States is predicting that Tropical Storm “Marie” is expected to strengthen into a hurricane. Officials and residents in Southern California are preparing for the possibility of flooding, mudslides, or heavy rain. However, forecasts indicate that the likelihood of the storm directly hitting Southern California is extremely low, with a higher chance of coastal areas being affected, along with the risk of rip currents.
According to the weather bureau, “Marie” is likely to reach hurricane strength near the coast of Mexico and is projected to continue moving in a northwesterly direction throughout the Labor Day weekend, transporting moisture to Southern California.
As the specific path of the storm remains uncertain, the amount of tropical moisture, rainfall, and wind strength that Southern California will receive is still pending further confirmation. It is highly probable that the storm may just brush past Southern California, causing minimal impact, or it could bring rainfall and huge waves over the Labor Day weekend.
However, the coastal areas are at the greatest risk of being affected. The NWS Los Angeles office reminded the public via social media on Tuesday (1st) that due to tropical storm activity, larger waves are expected over the Labor Day weekend, along with stronger rip currents. They advised people to stay away from rocky jetties and check with lifeguards about local sea conditions before going into the water and to follow safety recommendations.
Rip currents are often referred to as the “silent killer of beaches” due to their high level of danger. They are narrow and powerful water currents that flow directly from the shore, appearing calm on the surface, but can suddenly sweep people out to sea at incredibly fast speeds without warning.