Heavy Surf Expected in South Florida Monday Through Wednesday as Advisory Issued

Boca Raton South Inlet beach and lifeguard station. (Photo: Boca Daily News)

The National Weather Service has issued a heavy surf advisory through Wednesday, with the expectation of large waves and dangerous rip currents this week as storms linger offshore.

The heavy surf advisory and rip current advisory are both in effect for Palm Beach and Broward county beaches through Wednesday night. In the case of the surf, large breaking waves of 6 to 8 feet are expected in the surf zone, the NWS advisory said. Strong rip currents will begin to ramp up Monday morning and continue for several days.

“Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion are likely,” the advisory said. “Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water.”

Boating will pose hazards as well, the NWS said in its marine forecast.

“Hazardous marine conditions are likely across all local waters through the early to middle portion of the week due to strong easterly wind flow and high seas,” the agency said.

Strong easterly winds will blow 35 to 40 m.p.h. offshore, with waves reaching 7 to 10 feet. The highest wave heights – reaching as much as 10 to 12 feet at times – is forecast for Monday night into Tuesday.

As for precipitation, chances of showers and thunderstorms will increase towards the middle of the week as an area of low pressure in the Caribbean Sea pushes northward towards the Gulf of Mexico, according to NWS forecasters. Regardless of development, locally heavy rainfall will be possible towards the middle of the week, leading to the potential for localized flooding during that time frame.

Monday’s forecast calls for mostly sunny skies despite high winds and heavy seas, with a high of 83 degrees.