HARLINGEN — Big waves and bigger winds have prompted the National Weather Service at Brownsville to issue a high threat of rip currents in the Gulf of Mexico surf for today and possibly into tomorrow, forecasters said yesterday.
Wave heights of 3 to 5 feet are forecast for the gulf through today, with winds 20 to 25 mph today and 10 to 20 mph tomorrow.
Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away or parallel to shore. They occur most often at low spots or breaks in a sandbar or near structures such as jetties or piers.
“What really makes them more likely is when you have longer period waves, or the swell is coming in at a more or less right angle to the coastline,” NWS meteorologist Josh Schroeder said yesterday.
“Right now it’s being exacerbated by the wind-waves coming in from a south-southeasterly direction,” Schroeder said.
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Don’t exhaust yourself: Fighting the current and just stay afloat while waiting for help
Swim out of a rip current: Swim parallel to the beach with the current (as shown in the graphic below) until it fades and you can reach shore
Can’t Swim out?: Float or tread water
Need help?: Yell for help but remain calm
Source: National Weather Service
