WASHINGTON – While Hurricane Cristobal has now been downgraded to a powerful extratropical cyclone off the coast of Nova Scotia Canada, it continues to move to the northeast and during the next day or two, it will be absorbed by another area of low pressure in the northern Atlantic.
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With that being said, the threat for rip currents and high surf still remains moderate to high at local beaches as well as beaches all up and down the East Coast.
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- Double Red: Beach is closed to the public
- Single Red: high hazard, e.g., strong surf or currents
- Yellow: medium hazard
- Green: Calm conditions although caution is still necessary
- Purple: Dangerous marine life, but not sharks.
Rip currents do not discriminate along our areas beaches either, so how can you identify them and keep you and your family safe? These currents can occur along any beach that features breaking waves (including the Great Lakes). They are unfortunately subject to formation at any time during the day and more likely right before low tide. The swells generated by Cristobal and brisk onshore flow are creating the environment for a higher risk of rip currents.
Just Wednesday, an 18-year-old man drowned in Ocean City.
Learn more about rip currents and how they form here.
Despite the risk of rip currents, the beach forecast for the holiday weekend is looking bright.
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