Dangerous rip currents are forecast off Pompano Beach through Saturday evening, with a coastal flood advisory to 8 p.m. Saturday. The 6- to 8-foot surf has eased.

Updated Oct. 22: The high surf advisory ended at 8 p.m. Tuesday. The National Weather Service in Miami has extended the high rip current risk through Saturday evening, and added a coastal flood advisory until 8 p.m. Saturday. Read our coastal flood advisory story for high tide times.

Waves of 6 to 8 feet were expected to break on the Pompano Beach shore from 2 p.m. Monday to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Dangerous rip currents were forecast through Thursday evening.

The National Weather Service in Miami issued a high surf advisory and a rip current statement for coastal Broward County early Sunday. Both are listed on the weather service’s alerts for the Pompano Beach area.

What the weather service says

The forecast office set out:

  • High surf advisory: large breaking waves of 6 to 8 feet in the surf zone, from 2 p.m. Monday to 8 p.m. Tuesday.
  • High rip current risk: in effect now through Thursday evening. The statement expires at 8 p.m. Thursday.
  • Impacts: dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion.

“Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water,” the weather service said. It said inexperienced swimmers should stay out of the water.

Red flags on the beach

Pompano Beach Ocean Rescue flew red flags, meaning high hazard, on Sunday. Its daily beach conditions report for Oct. 18 listed:

  • rough surf of 3 to 4 feet
  • a lifeguard advisory for dangerous rip currents
  • northeast winds of 20 to 30 mph
  • no stinging marine life reported

The city updates that report every day. Its conditions are valid from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the date shown.

What it means for you

  • Check before you go. After 9 a.m., call Ocean Rescue’s recorded conditions line at 954-786-4005, or read the city’s beach conditions page.
  • Swim near a lifeguard. The city’s beach has eight lifeguard towers, according to its property tax explainer. Our parks and trails guide covers the beach and the pier.
  • If a rip current catches you, the weather service said: relax and float, and do not swim against the current. If you can, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If you cannot escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.
  • Beachfront owners: the advisory warns of localized beach erosion through Tuesday. Our hurricane prep guide lists the city and county contacts.

We will update this story when the advisories end or change.