Rip Current

Dangerous rip currents will be at a high risk along the Florida panhandle through Sunday with an increased risk along the Gulf coast beaches as well.

The National Weather Service Monday issued a high surf advisory for the following areas: Coastal Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, Hillsborough and Manatee counties and also Pinellas County from 7 p.m. Monday to 1 a.m. Wednesday.

Heat index values over 100 degrees are expected through the weekend. In addition, rip currents are expected at Atlantic and Panhandle beaches.

A “high risk” of riptides along beaches are Lee, Charlotte, Sarasota counties through Monday Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing away from shore