High Surf, Rip Current Warnings Issued for Coastal Waters

While sunshine is likely to make more than a few appearances over the next day or so, forecasters are saying the region isn’t completely out of the woods in regard to potentially hazardous conditions.

The National Weather Service has issued a rip current advisory for the coastal region while also warning of the potential for high surf throughout the day and into the evening hours Thursday. Poor conditions courtesy of “advisory level winds” are likely to continue through the upcoming weekend, the weather service wrote in its Hazardous Weather Outlook report.

Bay area beachgoers are warned that “high rip current risk” is anticipated into Thursday night for Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee and Sarasota counties. Rip currents are channels of water that flow rapidly away from shore. Swimmers caught in these currents are advised to swim parallel to shore until they are away from the force of the current. Swimmers should then swim back to the beach.

A high surf advisory has also been issued. Forecasters anticipate waves of up to 10 feet that will generate surf of up to 6 feet Thursday.

Swimmers and small craft operators are urged to exercise caution and heed lifeguard warnings.

Rain chances have diminished for Thursday with forecasters calling for mostly cloudy conditions throughout the day and into the nighttime hours. Daytime highs should reach the mid-60s with a low in the lower 50s.

Friday brings about a 20 percent chance of showers with temperatures roughly mirroring Thursday’s conditions. Storm chances increase heading into Saturday with forecasters calling for about a 40 percent chance of rain.

For a complete look at Bay area weather, visit the National Weather Service online.

Keep up with what’s happening around town and the state by signing up for your favorite Patch daily newsletter: Bloomingdale-Riverview, Bradenton, Brandon, Carrollwood-Northdale, Clearwater, Dunedin, East Lake, Gulfport, Land O’ Lakes, Largo, Lutz, New Port Richey, New Tampa, Palm Harbor, Pinellas Beaches, Safety Harbor, Sarasota, Seminole Heights, South Tampa-Hyde Park, St. Pete, Tarpon Springs, Temple Terrace, Westchase.