Southern Californians planning their Labor Day weekend might want to keep an eye on the skies and the surf, as distant Hurricane Marie is expected to influence local weather patterns. Forecasters indicate that while the system itself won't be making a direct visit, its presence offshore will bring noticeable changes, particularly for those in Los Angeles and Orange counties.
The National Weather Service has been clear, stating that "the potential for Marie to directly impact Southwestern California as a tropical system remains VERY LOW." However, they also advised that the area should still be aware of the anticipated impacts through the holiday weekend, which include increased moisture and larger waves.
Moisture from Marie is expected to begin filtering into the region on Saturday. This will bring a chance of showers to Los Angeles County, with Orange County also anticipating similar conditions starting the same day. These rain chances are projected to continue through the entire Labor Day weekend and into Tuesday. Any rainfall through Saturday evening is expected to be very light, though the potential for light rainfall persists throughout the extended forecast period. Forecasters noted a low chance of moderate or heavy rain, with thunderstorm probabilities also remaining minimal, hovering between 5% and 10%.
For those heading to the beaches, increasing southerly swells are a key forecast detail. These larger-than-normal swells are expected to begin impacting the coast as early as Friday and will continue through the Labor Day weekend and into Tuesday. While the precise timing and specifics will depend on Marie’s exact track, forecasters have expressed high confidence in the arrival of these significant southerly swells for the holiday period.
Leading up to Marie's influence, Thursday and Friday are expected to offer relatively benign weather. Temperatures across the region will likely remain about 2 to 6 degrees below seasonal averages, with little day-to-day fluctuation. A more widespread marine layer is anticipated along the coastal plain through Friday night, although forecasters noted some uncertainty regarding the exact extent of this cloud cover.
As the weekend arrives, temperatures are expected to warm up by a few degrees on Saturday. This slight increase, coupled with rising moisture and humidity, will contribute to conditions that could feel notably more tropical across Southern California. Forecasters continue to monitor Marie’s track, which is expected to move west and northwest through the holiday weekend. Any shifts in the hurricane’s path, they caution, could lead to notable changes in the forecast and the expected impacts for our region.
