Entire Texas Coastline Warned of Dangerous Ocean Conditions

Ocean-related advisories were in place along Texas’ entire coastline on Friday with National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists warning of dangerous ocean conditions.

Why It Matters

On Friday afternoon, beach-related weather alerts warned people to stay out of the water or be alert for dangerous ocean conditions along parts of Texas’ coastline. Meanwhile, a small craft advisory stretched along the Lonestar State’s entire coastline, warning boaters to stay out of the water because dangerous ocean conditions could “capsize or damage small and large vessels.”

What to Know

As of Friday afternoon, a high surf advisory was in place for Kenedy Island, Willacy Island and Cameron Island counties.

Entire Texas coastline warned dangerous ocean conditions — A stock photo shows waves in Corpus Christi, Texas.

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A high rip current risk also is in place. Rip currents are “powerful, channeled currents” that can move faster than an Olympic swimmer, the NWS said. If caught in a rip current, swimmers are advised to stay calm and swim parallel to the shore until they escape the current. Then, they can angle back and swim to shore.

Both the high surf advisory and the high rip current risk will remain in place for the area until Saturday evening. The NWS office in Brownsville, Texas, issued the advisory. It warns of “large, breaking waves” up to 8 feet.

A small craft advisory has been issued by numerous NWS offices in Texas. The Houston NWS office warned that southeast winds with gusts up to 35 knots, or around 40 mph, could create hazardous conditions for small crafts.

The small craft advisory also warned of “rough bay waters” with seas up to 11 feet.

“Winds transition from southeast to the northwest on Saturday evening in the wake of a cold front,” the advisory said.

NWS meteorologist Brian Field, who works at the Corpus Christi office, told Newsweek that a low-pressure system in the Desert Southwest and a high-pressure system off the coast of Florida will cause windy conditions, which are making the ocean hazardous in some areas.

What People Are Saying

An urgent marine weather message issued by the NWS office in Corpus Christi: “Strong to very strong winds and/or increased seas will result in hazardous marine conditions especially for inexperienced mariners with smaller vessels.”

NWS office in Houston in a small craft advisory: “Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, should avoid navigating in hazardous conditions.”

NWS office in Brownsville in a high surf advisory: “Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water. Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions.”

The high surf advisory added: “Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don’t swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.”