The National Weather Service in Tampa, FL has issued a high rip current risk advisory effective from Thursday afternoon through Friday evening for parts of the Florida coastline. The advisory covers Pinellas, Coastal Hillsborough, Coastal Manatee, Coastal Sarasota, Coastal Charlotte, and Coastal Lee Counties.

"Dangerous rip currents expected," warns the advisory, highlighting the risks for swimmers along the affected beaches. Rip currents, powerful, channeled currents of water flowing away from shore, can quickly pull even strong swimmers out to deeper waters. The conditions are set to last from 2 PM EDT this afternoon through Friday evening. The NWS cautions that the currents can, "sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water."

For those considering beach visits in the mentioned areas, precautionary measures should be taken seriously. The NWS advises swimmers to stay near lifeguards and guides what to do 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."

Apart from the risk of rip currents, the weather forecast for Tampa suggests a series of sunny or mostly sunny days ahead, with temperatures steadily climbing from a high near 70 today to around 85 by Thursday. However, locals and visitors should not let the inviting climate make them complacent about water safety. As the clear skies persist into the weekend, with lows in the 40s and 50s and highs ramping up into the 80s, the temptation to cool off in the ocean is understandable, but caution is urged due to the rip current risks.