Avoid Palos Verdes Beaches After Rainfall: Public Health

PALOS VERDES, CA — Monday's rare and welcomed rainstorm made way for sunny skies in much of Los Angeles by Tuesday morning, but authorities still advised against swimming at Los Angeles County Beaches for most of the week.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health on Tuesday reminded residents that rainfall likely dragged bacteria, chemicals, debris and trash from the streets and mountains into the ocean.

Residents should avoid swimming until Thursday at 10 a.m., according to the department The advisory will be extended if the city sees more rain. National Weather Service forecasters said conditions should be dry for the rest of the week, and "skies will be mostly clear save for coastal night through morning low clouds."

Waves are also expected to slam local beaches, according to county officials.

A high surf advisory is in effect for the Los Angeles County coast, with wave heights reaching 5 to 8 feet at peak at west-facing beaches in the South Bay.

"Increased rip current activity is likely," Los Angeles County Lifeguard officials said via Instagram. "Know your limits and be sure to check in with a lifeguard for an update on conditions in your area."

Call the county's beach closure hotline at 800-525-5662 or visit the county's website to check the status of your local beach.

The Los Angeles County coastline was hit with heavy rain on Monday. Light rain fell in coastal areas early Monday, gradually increasing in intensity through the morning rush hour and spreading eastward. Forecasters said rainfall rates were generally below an inch-per-hour in most areas in Los Angeles County.

Though the rain had cleared by Tuesday morning, Los Angeles can still expect treacherous weather conditions. a wind advisory will be in effect in parts of Los Angeles County until 3 a.m. Wednesday. Northwest winds from 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 55 mph are expected in the Los Angeles County mountains, excluding the Santa Monica Range, and Lockwood Valley, Mount Pinos, Acton, Mount Wilson and Sandberg.

West winds from 15 to 25 mph and gusts up to 45 mph are expected in the Antelope Valley in Lancaster and Palmdale.

Here is the forecast for Palos Verdes:

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 64. West southwest wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.

Tuesday Night: Patchy fog after 11 p.m. Otherwise, increasing clouds, with a low around 53. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph becoming east southeast 5 to 10 mph in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.

Wednesday: Patchy fog before 11 a.m. Otherwise, cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 64. East southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west southwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.

Wednesday Night: Patchy fog after 11 p.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. West southwest wind 5 to 15 mph becoming east southeast after midnight.

Thursday: Patchy fog before 11 a.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 64.

Thursday Night: Patchy fog after 11 p.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 54.

Friday: Patchy fog before 11 a.m. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 66.

Friday Night: Patchy fog after 11 p.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 54.

Saturday: Patchy fog before 11 a.m. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 66.

Saturday Night: Patchy fog. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 54.

Sunday: Patchy fog. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 65.

Sunday Night: Patchy fog. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 54.

Monday: Patchy fog. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 67.

- City News Service contributed to this report.