Jacksonville residents and visitors to the Northeast Florida beaches should take extra caution this weekend, as the National Weather Service has issued a high rip current risk warning effective through late tomorrow night according to their latest coastal hazard message. The areas affected include Coastal Nassau, Coastal Duval, Coastal St. Johns, and Coastal Flagler.
While the weather offers partly sunny skies with a high near 81 today, those planning to cool off in the ocean should be aware of the danger posed by "dangerous rip currents" that can occur even in seemingly calm water conditions, posing a serious threat to all swimmers. The NWS advisory specifies to swim near a lifeguard, and if you find yourself caught in a rip current, the experts advise to relax and float instead of swimming against the current, and if possible, follow the shoreline or signal for help if you're unable to reach it.
The NWS update also details that tonight's conditions will remain partly cloudy with a low around 68, with a northeast wind blowing at 6 to 10 mph, and gusts which might reach up to 16 mph; and tomorrow forecasts show a 20 percent chance of showers, a high near 80 and breezy conditions with winds gaining strength.
As a result of these weather patterns, beachgoers are urged to take the issued precautions very seriously. "Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water," and those unfamiliar with how to handle such situations should ensure they have the necessary information to act accordingly, as mentioned on NWS. The warning insists on recommending that if swimming is unavoidable, to do so in proximity to a lifeguard, and if caught in a rip current, to not resist but rather to swim parallel to the shore or to at least float and signal for assistance.
