Three days of El Niño storms have ended in Southern California, at least for one day, but dangerous surf remained in the area, according to the National Weather Service.
Heavy downpours that included thunderstorms and snow as low as 3,500 feet soaked parts of drought-stricken California from Tuesday to Thursday.
Sunny skies were predicted across much of Southern California Friday, until rain returned Saturday, but high surf was expected to continue.
Inexperienced swimmers and surfers were urged to stay away from the water Friday, and a high surf advisory was scheduled to remain in effect through the evening, according to the weather service.
The warning came a day after video caught a surfer being tossed by a large wave in Seal Beach, and another took out a KTLA camera as reporter Lynette Romero and her cameraman set up for a live shot.
Surf Friday was predicted to be smaller than the previous days, but still dangerous.
The central coast will see 13- to 15-foot waves with sets up to 18 feet, Ventura County will have 7- to 9-foot waves with sets up to 12 feet, and Los Angeles County will see 6- to 8-foot waves with sets up to 10 feet.
Waves were expected to be largest in the morning before gradually subsiding throughout the day.
People were asked to keep a safe distance from the surf, never turn their backs to the ocean, and stay off rocks and jetties, which can be overtopped by sneaker waves.
In addition to rough waters, the L.A. County Department of Public Health warned of a possible increase in bacteria levels in the ocean due to storm runoff.
Bacteria levels can stay higher than normal for up to three days after heavy rainfall.
