Headline:
Rip Current Statement issued October 20 at 4:04AM AST until October 21 at 6:00PM AST by NWS San Juan PR
Event:
Rip Current Statement
Urgency:
Expected
Effective:
October 20, 2026 - 1:04am
Expires:
October 20, 2026 - 3:00pm
Description:
* WHAT...For the High Surf Advisory, large breaking waves of 8 to
12 feet. For the High Rip Current Risk, life-threatening rip
currents.
* WHERE...For the High Surf Advisory and High Rip Current Risk,
the most vulnerable areas are the exposed northwesterly and
north-facing beaches.
* WHEN...For the High Surf Advisory, remains through 6 PM AST
this evening. For the High Rip Current Risk, remains through
Wednesday afternoon.
* IMPACTS...For the High Surf Advisory, high waves that can wash
over jetties and sweep people and pets onto jagged rocks. Rough
surf may also knock you down. Large breaking waves will result
in localized beach/dune structure erosion and dangerous swimming
conditions. For the High Rip Current Risk, rip currents can
sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water,
where it becomes difficult to return to safety.
Instruction:
A High Surf Advisory means that high surf will affect beaches in
the advisory area, producing localized beach erosion and
dangerous swimming conditions.
There is a high risk of rip currents.
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, beach patrol flags and
signs.
If you become caught in a rip current, yell for help. Remain
calm, do not exhaust yourself and stay afloat while waiting for
help. If you have to swim out of a rip current, swim parallel to
shore and back toward the beach when possible. Do not attempt to
swim directly against a rip current as you will tire quickly.
Area Description:
San Juan and Vicinity; Northeast; North Central; Northwest; Mayaguez and Vicinity
Forcast Office:
NWS San Juan PR
Sender:
w-nws.webmaster@noaa.gov