The National Weather Service forecasts a mid-week faceoff with a strong Pacific cold front that has Southern California coastlines on alert.

Cold, wind, rain, and hazardous surf and swell conditions are expected starting Wednesday Nov. 28. There is "dangerous rip current potential" for anyone entering the water late Wednesday through the weekend, according to the NWS. The highest surf is expected Thursday afternoon through Friday. 

The system's cold front is expected to blow into San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties early Wednesday, with gusty wind and rain fanning out through Ventura County before traveling to Los Angeles County by mid-day/early evening. The rain is expected to taper off through Thursday with a chance of showers through the weekend as another cold front enters the region.

SURF SPECIFICS (via NWS)

Location: West facing beaches including San Luis Obispo …lower Santa Barbara county near Ventura County…Ventura County and Los Angeles county. Also western side of Santa Catalina island.

Surf heights: For exposed west facing beaches…heights will vary greatly. Central coast could see surf 10 to 15 feet with local sets to 20 feet. while the inner waters could see surf 6 to 12 feet with local sets to 15 ft in a few locations including areas near the Ventura harbor and Southern Los Angeles County.

Timing: West swell will build rapidly Wednesday night into Thursday morning…then peak Thursday afternoon into Friday…then slowly diminish through the weekend.

Impacts: Surf and swell conditions could be hazardous to anyone entering the water late Wednesday through this weekend…with dangerous rip current potential. minor beach erosion and localized flooding of low-lying areas may also occur near the peak of the high tide.