Thursday, April 23 started on a mellow note in Miami, with clear skies and warm air settling over the city and temperatures in the low 70s at Miami International Airport. Mostly sunny conditions are expected to stick around through the day, with highs near 77°F. That said, anyone eyeing a beach day should know the ocean will not be quite as laid back once the wind kicks in this afternoon. Small-boat operators and shoreline commuters can expect a breezy, slightly blustery stretch along the Atlantic.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
East winds are forecast to strengthen from late morning into early afternoon along the Atlantic coast, with sustained speeds around 10 to 15 mph and gusts near 18 mph. That is enough to churn up choppy surf, jostle smaller vessels and keep rip-current activity elevated along exposed beaches. The National Weather Service issued a Rip Current Statement early Thursday, April 23 that remains in effect into Friday morning, April 24. Forecasters expect the gusty east flow and hazardous surf to linger, according to NWS Miami.
Beach Safety
While the advisory is in effect, swimming is safest at beaches with lifeguards on duty, since they are stationed in the very spots where surf and currents tend to be most treacherous. If you are caught in a rip current and pulled away from shore, stay calm, float and signal for help instead of trying to muscle straight back in. When you can, swim parallel to the shoreline until you are out of the current, then angle back toward the beach. Boaters and paddle-sport users may want to postpone nonessential outings and secure loose gear, as Biscayne Bay will likely be choppier this afternoon than it appears from shore.
What To Expect This Week
Shower chances and isolated thunderstorms tick up on Friday, mainly from late morning through the afternoon, although any storms should be brief and scattered. Weekend afternoons are expected to warm into the low 80s, with a broader warming trend into early next week that could push highs into the mid 80s to near 90°F by Tuesday and Wednesday. Winds should ease late in the weekend, which means calmer beach conditions by Sunday for anyone willing to wait out the rougher surf.
We flagged this developing surf and rip current pattern yesterday, and for more context plus beach-by-beach detail, see our April 22 story on onshore winds cranking up rip currents. We will update if advisories change, and in the meantime, check lifeguard flags before you head into the water.
