Rip Current Risk Continues at Local Beaches

A cold front is making waves in the Tampa Bay area, prompting the National Weather Service to once again issue a rip current notice for local beaches.

The warning includes the coastal areas of Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, Hillsborough, Charlotte and Lee counties and extends through 8 p.m. Wednesday. Forecasters say the risk of rip currents is moderate.

“Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away from shore,” the statement explains. “Rip currents are very dangerous and can pull even the strongest swimmers out into deeper water.”

Swimmers are advised to exercise caution in local waters today.

The beaches aren’t the only areas likely to see the effects of the cold front Wednesday. There is a 40 percent chance of scattered storms throughout the Bay area, mainly before 2 p.m. The nighttime hours are expected to be mostly clear.

Once Wednesday’s storms move through, forecasters are calling for mild days ahead. Rain chances throughout the rest of the week remain low and high temperatures are only expected to reach the low 80s with lows down in the 60s.

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

Photo Credit: Image via Shutterstock