A pair of large storms in the North Pacific may generate strong surf or coastal flooding along the beaches of Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties next week, the National Weather Service warned today.

On Tuesday, beaches that are susceptible to northwest swells, like Point Dume, the South Bay and The Wedge in Newport Beach, may see wave sets of 6-10 feet, with occasional 15 foot breakers.

Even larger waves may arrive Thursday and Friday, with 8-15 foot sets possible in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, the NWS said in a statement today.

The Central Coast may see 20-foot sets, the NWS said. Although most Southern California beaches are sheltered by Point Conception from the direct brunt of northwest swell waves, large waves can be expected all along the coast, the NWS warned.

Such waves, on top of high tides caused by the moon, can cause ponding along the oceanfront on some Orange County strands.

On Tuesday, the highest celestial tide will be at 4:58 a.m., with a height of 4.9 feet at the Santa Monica Pier. Thursday will see a 5.46 foot high tide at 6:17 a.m., and Friday's peak celestial tide will be a 5.73-foot tide at 6:52 a.m.