Swimmers and beachgoers in five coastal U.S. states were warned of dangerous ocean conditions on Tuesday and Wednesday, with National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists urging people to take precautions and swim near a lifeguard.
Southerly winds are causing the seas offshore to grow larger, NWS meteorologist Bryce Williams, who works at the Boston, Massachusetts, office, told Newsweek, adding that as the wind continues, seas can heighten to trigger riptides closer to shore.
Why It Matters
The warning comes as there have already been 29 deaths tracked by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that were attributed to deadly hazards like rip currents and sneaker waves in the United States this year.
More rip current warnings are likely to be issued this summer as hurricane season gets underway, causing unsettled waters closer to shore.
What To Know
NWS offices issued rip current statements affecting coastal regions in five U.S. states, warning of hazardous ocean conditions that pose serious risks to swimmers and beachgoers. The alerts were placed in response to increased surf and strong currents observed along the affected coastlines.
The warnings specifically covered coastlines in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina. The advisories emphasized the dangers posed by rip currents and urged the public to exercise increased caution while in or near the water.
Rip current statements indicated that surf conditions would support the development of strong and dangerous currents. Forecasters said that these conditions could pull even the most experienced swimmers away from shore, increasing the likelihood of drownings.
The NWS recommended heeding all posted signs and advisories, as well as swimming only near lifeguards. Warnings remained in effect for various durations, as conditions were expected to persist at least through Tuesday and possibly longer.
The agency continues to monitor and provide ongoing updates through its official channels. Residents and visitors were encouraged to remain aware of the latest advisories and to check local forecasts before heading to the beach.
What People Are Saying
Williams told Newsweek: “We see increased rip tides at whatever beaches are facing that wind direction. In this case, we are looking at our southern-facing beaches for Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha’s Vineyard in Southeast Massachusetts.”
A rip current statement issued for Tallahassee, Florida: “Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don’t swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.”
What Happens Next
In Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina, the rip current statements are in place through Tuesday night. For the East Coast, the rip current statements go into effect on Wednesday.
The post Dangerous Ocean Conditions Warning Issued for Five States appeared first on Newsweek.
