High Rip Current Risk: Cooler Wind Hurts Start To Labor Day Weekend

We got our break to the heat, but it has a price tag with it.  Strong High Pressure in New England pushed a backdoor cold front into the Mid Atlantic, and as a result the winds from the northeast ended our streak of 90 degree days. However, just as the start of the Labor Day Holiday Weekend will keep people off of the beaches New Jersey, Delaware, and Ocean City.  The National Weather Service has issued a High Rip Current Alert through this evening.  The expectation of winds of 20 mph will raise waves to 6 feet or higher. The direction onshore increases the likelihood of strong undertow making it dangerous to get in the water.  The advisory is in effect through this evening. Check out the wind and wave model forecast maps in the slide shows below.

NAM Model Winds: Near Shore

A HIGH RISK OF RIP CURRENTS IMPLIES THAT WIND AND/OR WAVE
CONDITIONS WILL SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF VERY STRONG RIP
CURRENTS. THESE RIP CURRENTS WILL BE LIFE THREATENING TO ANYONE
WHO ENTERS THE SURF. RIP CURRENTS ARE POWERFUL CHANNELS OF WATER
FLOWING QUICKLY AWAY FROM SHORE WHICH OCCUR MOST OFTEN AT LOW
SPOTS OR BREAKS IN THE SANDBAR AND IN THE VICINITY OF STRUCTURES
SUCH AS GROINS, JETTIES AND PIERS. HEED THE ADVICE OF LIFEGUARDS
AND THE BEACH PATROL. PAY ATTENTION TO FLAGS AND POSTED SIGNS.