Millions of residents and visitors across Florida are under advisories this week as rip current risks surge along the state’s Gulf and Atlantic coasts, prompting warnings of life-threatening ocean conditions from the National Weather Service (NWS).

Why It Matters

More than 2 million people across Hillsborough, Manatee and Sarasota counties are among those affected by the warnings, which also include neighboring coastal regions.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a high risk of rip currents through Thursday morning for large stretches of the Gulf coast and an additional beach hazards statement for the Atlantic coast. Rip currents are among the deadliest hazards in coastal waters and pose a severe danger to swimmers of all skill levels.

What to Know

Rip currents are most common in the winter months for Florida, but they can occur during the spring time, too.

What Is A Rip Current?

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, rip currents are narrow, powerful channels of fast-moving water that flow away from the beach and can travel at speeds of up to eight feet per second. NOAA warns that they “can drag even the strongest swimmer away from shore.” The agency recommends that anyone caught in a rip current should not swim against it. Instead, they should float, swim parallel to the shoreline, and signal for help if needed.

Where Are Rip Currents?

The NWS has issued a high rip current risk for the counties of Pinellas, Coastal Hillsborough, Coastal Manatee, Coastal Sarasota, Coastal Charlotte, and Coastal Lee.

The warning notes that rip currents can sweep “even the best swimmers” away from shore into deeper water.

Swimmers are urged to remain close to lifeguards, avoid swimming alone, and stay out of the water entirely if inexperienced.

In addition, a Beach Hazards Statement is in effect along Florida’s eastern coastline, expanding the warning zone and raising awareness of additional marine hazards.

The Suncoast region is seeing particularly high alert levels. According to the NWS, “dangerous rip currents” are expected to persist through at least Thursday morning, and strong surf could increase the risk of injury or rescue events.

What People Are Saying

NWS meteorologist Paul Close, who works at the Tampa Bay office, told Newsweek: “This time of year, it happens. We had a front go by yesterday with strong southerly winds ahead of it, and behind it they shifted to the north-northwest. We still have leftover waves coming in with those higher winds and we end up seeing higher rip currents that should subside tomorrow.”

He added the rip currents are common this time of year: “During winter, especially, and in spring. It can happen in the summer but it’s not as common unless there’s a storm out there.”

What Happens Next

Weather forecasts suggest mild, sunny conditions will continue across much of the region this week, but forecasters stress that tranquil skies do not indicate calm seas. Local officials advise checking beach warnings before visiting, watching for posted flags, and following the guidance of lifeguards.