Tampa, FL – Strong winds behind a passing cold front are set to increase today and tonight, leading to hazardous beach and boating conditions along Florida’s Gulf Coast. The National Weather Service (NWS) Tampa Bay has issued a high rip current risk and a Small Craft Advisory from this afternoon through Friday.
According to the NWS, dangerous rip currents will pose a threat to swimmers at area beaches, particularly from Tampa Bay down to Fort Myers. Boaters should also exercise caution, as hazardous winds and rough seas could make coastal waters unsafe for small vessels.
Officials advise inexperienced swimmers and boaters to stay out of the water due to the dangerous conditions. Rip currents are powerful channels of water that can pull even strong swimmers away from shore. If caught in one, experts recommend swimming parallel to the shoreline to escape the current before heading back to land.
The advisory remains in effect through Friday. Residents and visitors are urged to check local beach conditions and heed warnings from lifeguards and authorities before entering the water.
