High winds and tides forecast for Southern California

LOS ANGELES - Southern Californians were warned Tuesday to watch out for high winds and tides.

The weather and ocean extremes were predicted as the region basked in T-shirt weather - temperatures in the mid- to high-70s - that belied the onset of winter, which officially began at 11:44 p.m. Tuesday.

High wind warnings were issued for the mountains of Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Advisories were posted for the coastal and valley areas.

Strong northeast winds were expected to develop across the region late Tuesday and continue through Wednesday evening, the National Weather Service said.

Wind gusts over 70 mph were expected in the mountains, with 50 mph gusts forecast for coastal and valley locations.

Minor flooding along low-lying coastal points was possible through Thursday because of astronomical high tides of 7 feet or greater each morning, the weather service said.

Such high tides are typically only a problem when a big storm occurs at the same time.

While no storms were forecast, the NWS said a west swell was affecting the state's central and southern coasts, and would produce surf of 8 feet to 10 feet from Point Piedras Blancas to Point Conception and 4-6-foot breakers, with local sets to 8 feet, on west-facing beaches from Point Conception to Point Vicente.