Breezy And Drier Weekend
MIAMI (CBS4) – The holiday weekend will be a little drier for parts of South Florida, but the rip current concerns will remain high at area beaches.
Drier air will move into South Florida for Saturday and Sunday which means some added sunshine. However, with the slightly extra sunshine comes warmer temperatures and that could lead to just a few thunderstorms.
Next week, an area of low pressure will move closer to South Florida and may lead to an increased risk for thunderstorms and possibly severe thunderstorms.
High temperatures Saturday will reach the upper 80s and by Sunday the lower 90s with partly sunny skies.
Rain chances through the weekend will be at about 20 to 30 percent.
The winds will be out of the east between 15 and 20 mph with higher gusts at times.
Due to the strong easterly winds South Florida will feel Saturday and Sunday, the rip current risk at all east coast beaches remains at "high".
Rip currents are fast-moving belts of water that travel from the shore out into deeper water.
They often pull swimmers away from the shore and many times swimmers panic before being able to "break the grip of the rip" and drown because they can't stay afloat according to rescue officials.
- To survive a rip current, rescue personnel recommend trying to not panic.
- Swim only at beaches with lifeguards. If red flags are present, rip currents are considered strong and swimming is not advised.
- Yellow flags mean a moderate risk and green flags mean the surf is calm.
- Remember to never swim alone and pay close attention to children and elderly swimmers.
- To get out of a rip current, swim parallel to the shoreline and never swim against the current.
- Anyone who cannot swim out of the current should float or lightly tread water until the current reduces and they can swim out of it and back to shore.
- Rescue officials don't recommend trying to save others from a rip current because many people have drowned while trying to help. Instead, call 9-1-1.
Statistics show that every year in the U.S., rip currents cause more than 100 drownings and account for about 80% of beach water rescues.
