Beachgoers Warned To Stay Out of the Water

 

Heading for the beach today? The National Weather Service has a bit of advice for you: "Stay out of the surf."

A high risk of dangerous rip currents combined with beaches that aren't staffed with lifeguards and the water temperatures in 60s -- which the NWS describes as "quite chilly" -- are a potentially lethal mix.

"Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore and into deeper water," the NWS said in a daily statement.

Also, time spent cold in 60-desgree water can make swimming itself difficult. The National Center for Cold Water Safety  calls water between 70F and 60F "dangerous," saying, "Controlling your breathing and holding your breath becomes progressively more difficult as water temperature falls from 70 [degrees] to 60 [degrees]."

If caught in a rip current, don't swim against the current but relax and float, the NWS says. If possible, swim in a direction following the shoreline.

The NWS expects the rip currents to continue this evening, and an elevated risk of rip currents tomorrow.