High risk of rip currents, dangerous surf and boating conditions whipped up by strong winds

Strong winds blowing ashore, from the northeast, are producing dangerous surf along with a potential for minor to moderate beach erosion until Tuesday evening, according to the National Weather Service, Melbourne.

Waves up to 8 feet tall are breaking with a force capable of knocking down experienced swimmers. And there is a risk of rip currents, forecasters say. The potential for erosion is highest at high tides. The next high tide is around 6 p.m.

Winds gusts up to 25 mph are expected to continue into Tuesday night as a result of a combination of a high pressure system to the north and a storm centered near the Bahamas, forecasters say. Waves are up to 15 feet high in the Gulf Stream, which is far offshore.

The waves and winds should subside later this week.

Isolated showers may fall under the partly sunny skies through midweek. Daily high temperatures are predicted to be around 80 degrees. Overnight lows are to range from the lower 60s on Tuesday to the upper 60s early Wednesday morning.

A weather front is predicted to move through on Thursday and that could create strong wind gusts on Friday and slightly lower temperatures.

IF CAUGHT IN A RIP CURRENT:

• Remain calm to conserve energy and think clearly.

• Never fight against the current.

• Think of it like a treadmill that cannot be turned off; you must step to the side.

• Swim out of the current in a direction following the shoreline. When out of the current, swim at an angle — away from the current — toward shore.

• If you are unable to swim out of the rip current, float or calmly tread water. When out of the current, swim toward shore.

• If you are still unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself by waving your arm and yelling for help.