'Life-threatening' conditions expected at Central Florida beaches as disturbance approaches coast: NWS
MELBOURNE, Fla. - As a disturbance off the coast of Florida continues to swirl, forecasters have issued multiple warnings that beachgoers should pay attention to.
Satellite imagery showed that shower activity associated with the area of low pressure about 175 miles north-northeast of the northern Bahamas had become slightly better organized over the past 24 hours, according to the National Hurricane Center. However, earlier data from Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicated that the system does not yet have a well-defined circulation.
Environmental conditions remain marginally conducive, at about 50%, for further development, and this system could become a tropical depression as it moves west-northwestward.
Even if this system doesn't develop, it's still expected to bring hazardous conditions to all of Central Florida's beaches, according to the National Weather Service office in Melbourne. That includes bands of breezy to gusty showers, isolated storms north of Cape Canaveral, and a high risk of life-threatening rip currents with large breaking waves along the coast.
4:20PM 6/20 | We continue to monitor a disturbance in the Atlantic which will arrive early Friday. This will bring a period of showers from Orlando to Cape Canaveral northward, as surf and marine conditions remain hazardous. Chance of development still 40%. #FLwx pic.twitter.com/LQ5RejBA1e
— NWS Melbourne (@NWSMelbourne) June 20, 2024
A high surf advisory is in effect until 4 a.m. Friday for the following areas in Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin counties:
Ormond Beach
Daytona Beach
New Smyrna Beach
Canaveral National Seashore
Vero Beach
Cocoa Beach
Satellite Beach
Melbourne Beach
Fort Pierce Inlet
Jensen Beach
St. Lucie Inlet
Hobe Sound
Jun 20 | Another breezy day is forecast with wind gusts increasing between 20-25 mph. There is a high risk of life-threatening rip currents with large breaking waves at all central Florida Atlantic beaches. Beachgoers should remain out of the water! pic.twitter.com/byA10skVbz
— NWS Melbourne (@NWSMelbourne) June 20, 2024
The surf on Thursday at Volusia and Brevard county beaches is expected to reach 5 to 7 feet. On Friday, the surf height is an estimated 3 to 6 feet.
A high rip current risk has been issued for the same areas through late Thursday night, according to the National Weather Service. A high rip current risk means that life-threatening rip currents are "likely" in the surf zone, which is the area of the beach closest to the shoreline.
"Beachgoers should remain out of the water!" NWS Melbourne said.
Rip current safety
Here are some safety tips about rip currents from the National Weather Service:
Before you get to the beach
Know how to swim
Check local surf zone forecast before heading to the beach
When you get to the beach
Swim at a lifeguard-protected beach
Obey all posted safety signs
Never swim alone
Stay at least 100 feet away from piers and jetties where rip currents are most common
If you get caught in a rip current
Relax, rip currents don't pull you under
Don't swim against the current
You could escape by swimming out of the current in a direction following the shoreline or toward breaking waves, then angle yourself toward the beach
Float or tread water if the current circulates back to the shore
Draw attention to yourself if you don't think you can reach the shore by yelling or waving for help
If you see someone in trouble
Get help from a lifeguard
Call 911 if a lifeguard isn't present
Try to direct the person to swim following the shoreline to escape the rip current
Throw the person something that floats
Do not enter the water without a floation device
Click here for more rip current safety tips.