This week’s hot days and warm nights look to taper off this weekend, with highs expected to hit the low 70s and lows expected to hit the low 60s, according to the National Weather Service.

As part of the Southland’s third head wave of summer the weather has hit the high 70s to mid-80s, with nary a night going below 65. This weekend, Long Beach residents may be sleeping better: just in time to party and celebrate ‘Murica on the Fourth.

Look for partly cloudy skies all weekend, with high expected to hit 72 degrees Saturday, 72 degrees Sunday, and a sunny and 72-degree Independence Day on Monday.

High surf and rip currents along the coast are also expected. Ocean swimmers were encouraged to be wary of waves, as three to five feet of surf is expected to pound the beach all weekend.

Swimmers were urged never to swim alone, to remain near lifeguard towers, and, if snagged by a rip current, to swim parallel to shore until able to break free.

City News Service contributed to this report.