Watch Out For Weekend Riptides

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Strong rip currents will make this a
dangerous weekend in the water along Florida's southeast coast and
Panhandle.
State Meteorologist Ben Nelson says strong onshore winds are
creating deadly rip currents along the beaches of Miami-Dade,
Broward and Palm Beach counties, as well as the western Panhandle.
Authorities are issuing an alert, urging people to swim only at
beaches with lifeguards. Nelson says don't even go in the water if
you don't see a lifeguard.
The conditions are expected to continue through the weekend
because of strong southeasterly winds.
A rip current is a powerful channel of water flowing away from
shore, usually between 10 and 30 yards wide. It can pull you out to
sea several hundred yards.

You can take a closer look at rip currents on our Weather Education section.
We'll tell you how to spot them, how to avoid them, and how to get out of them.