Weather Brings Beach Warnings to Pinellas

Update

The National Weather Service has extended warnings through Tuesday. The NWS has issued a moderate risk of rip currents through Tuesday. According to the NWS, wind and waves on the offshore Gulf waters have diminished some, reducing the threat of high surf and a high risk of rip currents.

Earlier

If you are planning on visiting the Gulf or other local waterways in Pinellas County Monday, the National Weather Service is advising you to take precautions as cooler temps and high winds moved into the area. 

Strong currents and dangerous surf conditions have forced the weather service to issue high surf and beach hazards warnings. Those warnings do not expire until 8 p.m. Monday. 

The weather service said there is a high risk of strong rip currents. 

"Those planning beach activities should use extreme caution when venturing into the water and be aware of a high risk of strong rip currents," the weather service said.

Other warnings issued include a red flag warning, lake wind advisory and hazardous weather outlook. The red flag warning expires at 9 p.m. and all others at 8 p.m. Tuesday. 

According to the weather service, a red flag warning is issued when conditions are favorable for the spread of a wildfire.  

"A lake wind advisory is issued when sustained winds are forecast to be 20 to 29 mph with request gusts to near or above gale force for at least three hours," according to the weather service, "Winds of these magnitudes will create rough conditions on larger area lakes which could damage (or flip) small pleasure craft."

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