Rip Currents

Low Risk	WIND AND/OR WAVE CONDITIONS ARE NOT EXPECTED TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF RIP CURRENTS. HOWEVER...RIP CURRENTS CAN STILL OCCUR...ESPECIALLY AT LOW SPOTS OR BREAKS IN THE SANDBAR AND IN THE VICINITY OF STRUCTURES SUCH AS GROINS...JETTIES AND PIERS. KNOW HOW TO SWIM AND HEED THE ADVICE OF LIFEGUARDS AND THE BEACH PATROL. PAY ATTENTION TO FLAGS AND POSTED SIGNS.
Moderate Risk	WIND AND/OR WAVE CONDITIONS SUPPORT STRONGER OR MORE FREQUENT RIP CURRENTS. ONLY EXPERIENCED SURF SWIMMERS THAT KNOW HOW TO ESCAPE A RIP CURRENT SHOULD ENTER THE WATER. RIP CURRENTS ARE POWERFUL CHANNELS OF WATER FLOWING QUICKLY AWAY FROM SHORE...WHICH OCCUR MOST OFTEN AT LOW SPOTS OR BREAKS IN THE SANDBAR AND IN THE VICINITY OF STRUCTURES SUCH AS GROINS...JETTIES AND PIERS. HEED THE ADVICE OF LIFEGUARDS AND THE BEACH PATROL. PAY ATTENTION TO FLAGS AND POSTED SIGNS.
High Risk	WIND AND/OR WAVE CONDITIONS SUPPORT DANGEROUS RIP CURRENTS. NO ONE SHOULD ENTER THE SURF DUE TO THIS LIFE THREATENING HAZARD. RIP CURRENTS ARE POWERFUL CHANNELS OF WATER FLOWING QUICKLY AWAY FROM SHORE...WHICH OCCUR MOST OFTEN AT LOW SPOTS OR BREAKS IN THE SANDBAR AND IN THE VICINITY OF STRUCTURES SUCH AS GROINS... JETTIES AND PIERS. HEED THE ADVICE OF LIFEGUARDS AND THE BEACH PATROL. PAY ATTENTION TO FLAGS AND POSTED SIGNS.

Related Links

• Local Beach/Surf Zone Forecast
  (contains the daily rip current risk; only issued from Spring through Fall)
• Local Coastal Hazard Message (issued when rip current risk is High)
• Rip Currents - A Local Forecast Challenge
• NOAA's Rip Current Program - "Break the Grip of the Rip"