Swell holidays ahead

Looking to avoid that awkward Griswold family moment this Thanksgiving?

Well, grab a board and hit some of the local surf spots because forecasters predict perfectly ride-able swells coming into town this weekend. But be prepared: The weather could be nastier than Aunt Matilda’s banana pie surprise.

Some swell surf is scheduled to touch down around Thursday evening, just after pumpkin pie and coffee is served.

Shoulder- to head-high swells should be the norm, with some waves clearing about a foot overhead in the major locales, said Kevin Wallis, a forecaster with Surfline.com in Huntington Beach.

Notably high tides along the California Coast are also expected this weekend.

Tides are estimated to hit the 7-foot mark Saturday and Sunday.

The high tides this weekend should actually wash out the breaks by Saturday, sapping the power from the waves, Wallis said.

“It certainly plays a big role in the quality of the surf,” Wallis said. “It tends to just swamp out the surf, and the waves become soft and mushy especially around the outside of the wave.”

Another concern with the high tides is if they combine with a winter swell then they may cause some coastal flooding.

This combination often causes unexpected swells to wash over rocks and up the shores and blitz beach visitors.

Later in the day, low tides and the active surf may increase the danger from rip currents along shallow graded beaches, officials said.

Adding to the wacky weather this week, the National Weather Service also forecasts dense fog sticking around through Wednesday, forecasters said. Visibility could be down to a quarter-mile in some areas.

Santa Ana winds are also expected to make an appearance, although not with the intensity assumed, forecasters said.

Winds should reach speeds of 15 to 20 mph from the north, with 40 mph gusts on occasion, forecaster Noel Isla said. But things will clear up and “it should be beautiful by Thanksgiving Day.”.

SURF FORECAST

Shoulder- to head-high swells with some waves clearing about a foot overhead in the major locales. Winds should reach speeds of 15 to 20 mph from the north, with 40 mph gusts on occasion.

KELLY STRODL may be reached at (714) 966-4623 or at kelly.strodl@latimes.com.