Rip Current Statement 01/02/2025 12:17 for Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands areas

Headline: 
Rip Current Statement issued January 2 at 4:17PM AST until January 6 at 6:00AM AST by NWS San Juan PR
Event: 
Rip Current Statement
Urgency: 
Expected
Effective: 
January 2, 2025 - 12:17pm
Expires: 
January 3, 2025 - 1:00am
Description: 
* WHAT...Life-threatening rip currents due to breaking waves increasing up to 6 feet and occasionally higher. * WHERE...Beaches of northern Puerto Rico, from Aguadilla to Fajardo, Culebra, and St. Croix * WHEN...Friday through late Sunday night. * IMPACTS...Rip currents that can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water where it becomes difficult to return to safety. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A long-period northeasterly swell will gradually spread across the local waters on Friday. This swell will increase the risk of life-threatening rip currents from Friday afternoon onwards through the weekend. In addition, another long-period northwesterly swell will arrive late Sunday into early next week.
Instruction: 
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; Culebra; St Croix
Forcast Office: 
NWS San Juan PR