Big waves and 80° for winter

We're not talking Oahu's north shore or Mavericks, but by local standards the high surf expected today is enough to get my attention. The National Weather Service has an advisory up that calls for "breakers between 9 and 13 feet with local sets to 15 feet across favored locations...This significant wave event will likely cause some minor beach erosion and locally some minor coastal flooding... especially around the times of high tides." Sand berms are being shoved into place on certain beaches, and TV assignment editors are licking their lips in anticipation of some nice pics for Wednesday afternoon's shows. It could also be in the 80s—so an enjoyable winter solstice all around. The official click-over from fall to winter occurs at 10:35 am our time, high tide about an hour later.

L.A. County Coastal Monitoring Network