Beachgoers in Southeast Georgia and Northeast Florida should exercise caution as the National Weather Service in Jacksonville has issued a high rip current risk effective from this morning through late tonight. With a forecast that predicts "dangerous rip currents expected," the advisory impacts several coastal areas including Coastal Nassau, Coastal Duval, and Coastal Flagler. The warning extends to Northeast Coastal St. Johns, Southeast Coastal St. Johns, Coastal Glynn, and Coastal Camden. As stated by the NWS' Rip Current Statement, "Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water."
In the wake of the advisory, swimmers are urged to swim near lifeguards and follow safety precautions to avoid the powerful and potentially deadly currents. If caught in a rip current, the advice, as per the National Weather Service, is to "relax and float" and not swim against the current. Instead, if possible, swimmers should attempt to swim parallel to the shore or signal for assistance if escape is not an option. This guidance comes in conjunction with a weather forecast that also sees a mix of partly sunny skies and a chance of showers, with a 20 percent likelihood post 11am today and escalating to a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms on Friday.
The current weather pattern shows a mostly cloudy atmosphere with 63°F temperature and high humidity. Come tonight, skies are expected to clear up with the low hovering around 60°F. As Jacksonville residents prepare for the incoming weather, especially the potential thunderstorms on Friday, which could lead to new rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, warnings for outdoor activities have become more stringent.
With winds potentially gusting as high as 16 mph today and reaching up to 23 mph on Friday, the conditions for coastal hazards like rip currents are exacerbated. In preparation for the weekend, the forecast promises clearer skies, with sunshine dominating from Saturday through to next Wednesday. The lowest nighttime temperature expected this weekend will be around 51°F on Saturday night while daily highs are set to peak close to the mid-80s early next week, as per the NWS forecast.
