Watch for dangerous rip currents

Published 9:30 am Saturday, May 16, 2020

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The National Weather Service is tracking a low pressure system currently hovering over the Straits of Florida.

The National Hurricane Center, in a Special Tropical Weather Outlook, reports that “gradual development of this system is expected, and it will likely become a tropical or subtropical storm on Saturday when it is located near the northwestern Bahamas.

“Later in the weekend and early next week, the system is expected to move generally northeastward over the western Atlantic.”

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The National Weather Service out of Morehead City writes “regardless of whether or not this system gets a name, it is expected to bring an increased threat for life-threatening rip currents to eastern North Carolina beaches” through early next week.

On Saturday morning, a moderate rip current risk south of Cape Hatteras has been reported. This includes Frisco, Hatteras Village and Ocracoke. The advisory stated that only experienced surf swimmers who know how to escape a rip current should enter the water. Additionally, it is advised to never swim alone and always take a floatation device.

“Increased swell will produce stronger and more frequent rip currents. Swimming will be very dangerous, states the National Weather Service for eastern North Carolina.

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