Southland Weather | Friday, May 05, 2006
 

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Rip Currents

 
(Rip Current - La Jolla Shores)
From (NOAA/NWS):

Rip currents are powerful, channeled
currents of water flowing away from shore.
They typically extend from the shoreline, through the surf zone, and past the line of breaking waves. Rip currents can occur at any beach
with breaking waves, including the
Great Lakes.
 
  Rip currents are most likely to occur at low spots or breaks in sandbars, and also near structures such as... piers or breakwaters.

How to identify Rip Currents...
  • A channel of choppy water
  • An area having a notable difference in water color
  • a line of foam, seaweed, or debris steadily seaward
  • a break in the incoming wave pattern

How to avoid/survive rip currents...

 
 

Graphic courtesy of: NOAA/NWS

  • Don’t fight the current. Swim out of the current in a direction following the shoreline. When out of the current, swim towards shore.
  • If you are unable to swim out of the rip current, float or calmly tread water. When out of the current, swim towards shore.
  • Be cautious at all times.
  • Whenever possible, swim at a lifeguard protected beach.
  • If caught in a rip current, remain calm to conserve energy and think clearly.

    Rip Currents - Near Pismo Beach

  •  
      When the rip current potential is high or extreme...the National Weather Service and county lifeguard agencies strongly advised to stay onshore until the threat is minimal.  
     
     
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