National Weather Service issues twice-daily rip current forecasts ahead of holiday weekend

National Weather Service offices are publishing rip current forecasts twice each day as many Americans head to beaches and pools during hot weather. The forecasts cover conditions from New Jersey to Delaware and are produced by one of 122 facilities operating in all 50 states.

Forecast process Rip currents form when waves encounter low spots in sand bars or structures such as piers. A rip current can move at speeds between 1 and 8 miles per hour.

Safety guidance Lifeguards advise swimmers who are caught in a rip current to stay calm, keep arms down, tread water, and raise one arm to signal for help. Visitors are encouraged to check conditions with lifeguards upon arrival and to swim near lifeguard stands.

Pool owners are advised to install fencing and alarms priced between $150 and $300 that alert when a gate opens. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports more than 4,000 drownings occur each year in the United States, making it the leading cause of death for children ages 1 through 4.