Deadly Rip Currents Still a Threat This Labor Day Weekend
In the wake of Hurricane Earl, the threat for rip currents will continue through the Labor Day weekend along the East Coast. Rip currents have already claimed the lives of at least two people.
While the wind and rain effects of Earl have pulled away from the New England coast, beachgoers and surfers should be aware of another danger lurking in the ocean waters: deadly rip currents.
According to AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Mike Pigott, rip current threats will diminish from New York south Sunday, but continue farther north along New England beaches.
Beaches in Cape Cod are taking precautionary measures.
Daniel Tobin, director of Chatham's Parks and Recreation said the "east-facing beaches [of Chatham] are closed for swimming." He anticipates that these closures will continue through Saturday and possibly in to Sunday.
However, Tobin said the south-facing beaches of Chatham are open and likely to remain so. Tobin also noted that they are also starting to see rain from Earl.
Bob Rosenberg, assistant supervisor of lifeguards for Bradley Beach in New Jersey, said that a full staff of lifeguards will be on duty this weekend. Rosenberg said swimming will not be allowed on Friday as Earl has created rough conditions.
Rosenberg said they are expecting a lot of visitors over Labor Day weekend. He said "there will be some restrictions" for swimming, depending on water conditions.
While Rosenberg said it is to early to know exactly what the water conditions and the subsequent restrictions will be, he said there won't be unlimited swimming. For example, he said people may only be allowed in as far as waist-level water.
These restrictions are established to help diminish the risk of people getting caught in rip currents.
Rip currents are dangerous swift-moving channels of water that originate at the shoreline and flow out to sea. Their development is aided by rough surf from tropical systems.
Long swells generated by Earl will travel thousands of miles up and down the East Coast, allowing the threat for rip currents to extend all along the coast. This will be true even farther south through the Carolinas and Florida, where wave heights will be subsiding.
Last week, as Hurricane Danielle passed far offshore, there were hundreds of water rescues along the East Coast. Since Earl is stronger and tracking closer to the coast, the strength and frequency of rip currents is expected to be worse.
According to abcnews.com, a 23-year-old man drowned Tuesday. His body was recovered Thursday in New Jersey. A 20 year-old- man was still missing Saturday morning after last being seen entering the Ocean in Belmar, N.J. Thursday night.
Be sure to heed the advice of beach patrol when venturing into the ocean this weekend. If you become trapped in a rip current, act calm and swim parallel to the coastline while signaling for help.
AccuWeather.com Staff Writer Kirstie Hettinga contributed to this report.
AccuWeather.com Staff Writer Vickie Frantz contributed to this report.
Related to the Story:
Follow us on Twitter Breaking Weather
More Weather News
-
Memorial Day Weekend Heat Wave
May 23, 2012; 7:48 PM ET
Break out the fans and air conditioners and get the pools ready as a heat wave is poised for portions of the Midwest and mid-Atlantic this Memorial Day weekend.
-
Severe Storm Threat Wisconsin to Nebraska
May 23, 2012; 7:47 PM ET
Locally damaging storms will shift farther to the east and south in the Midwest into tonight.
-
.jpg)
Southwest Winds Elevate Fire Risk, Threaten Blowing Dust
May 23, 2012; 7:46 PM ET
High winds will slam portions of California and the Desert Southwest late this week, bringing the already high fire threat to extreme levels and ushering in cooler air.
-
Bud to Strengthen into a Hurricane in the Eastern Pacific
May 23, 2012; 7:45 PM ET
Bud may become the first hurricane of the season in the eastern Pacific, brushing the central Mexico coast with rain as it passes by.
-
Big Storms from Carolinas to the Delmarva
May 23, 2012; 7:43 PM ET
As a disturbance rolls slowly northeastward, thunderstorms from portions of the Carolinas to the Delmarva can be especially nasty into this evening.
-
Chile Drought May Be Dented by Rainstorm
May 23, 2012; 7:40 PM ET
A major rainstorm may be in the offing for drought-hit central and mid-southern Chile, including the nation's biggest population centers.
-
Everest Death Toll 4 from Weekend Rush
May 23, 2012; 7:38 PM ET
Another Everest climber was found dead this morning, bringing the weekend death toll to four, with one climber still missing.
-
India Heat Wave as Monsoon Eagerly Awaited
May 23, 2012; 7:35 PM ET
Sweltering heat, the hottest of 2012 in some areas, has spread discomfort across the Indian subcontinent, spurring anticipation of the coming rainy season
-
Still Rebuilding One Year After The Joplin, Mo., Tornado
May 23, 2012; 7:33 PM ET
-
East Daily Downpours This Week
May 23, 2012; 7:32 PM ET
A stalled weather pattern will bring a daily dose of disruptive downpours from portions of Florida to New England.
Daily U.S. Extremes
past 24 hours
| Extreme | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| High | 100° | Wink, TX |
| Low | 29° | Mullan Pass, ID |
| Precip | 1.17" | Chapel Hill, NC |
WeatherWhys®
People need to pay close attention to the UV index during this time of year. On a sunny day late in the spring and into the summer, the UV is usually at least an 8, which is very high. Readings over 11 are considered extreme values in which only 10 minutes of full exposure to the sun will produce a sunburn.
This Day In Weather History
New Hampshire (1814)
A tornado crossed Merrimac, Litchfield, Londonderry and North Chester. The same storm produced hailstones that had an 11-inch circumference and weighed 1/2 pound.
Northeast (1989)
More rain in an already wet month. Monthly totals topped 11 inches at New York City, 9 inches at Bridgeport, Conn., and 8 inches at Baltimore (all three totals set records for May).
Rough Weather
.jpg)
Comments
Comments left here should adhere to the AccuWeather.com Community Guidelines. Profanity, personal attacks, and spam will not be tolerated.