'Life-threatening' conditions expected at Central Florida beaches as disturbance approaches coast: NWS

Tracking the Tropics: Depression could form Friday

Satellite imagery showed that shower activity associated with the area of low pressure about 175 miles north-northeast of the northern Bahamas had become slightly better organized.

MELBOURNE, Fla. - As a disturbance off the coast of Florida continues to swirl, forecasters have issued multiple warnings that beachgoers should pay attention to.

Satellite imagery showed that shower activity associated with the area of low pressure about 175 miles north-northeast of the northern Bahamas had become slightly better organized over the past 24 hours, according to the National Hurricane Center. However, earlier data from Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicated that the system does not yet have a well-defined circulation.

Environmental conditions remain marginally conducive, at about 50%, for further development, and this system could become a tropical depression as it moves west-northwestward.

Even if this system doesn't develop, it's still expected to bring hazardous conditions to all of Central Florida's beaches, according to the National Weather Service office in Melbourne. That includes bands of breezy to gusty showers, isolated storms north of Cape Canaveral, and a high risk of life-threatening rip currents with large breaking waves along the coast.

A high surf advisory is in effect until 4 a.m. Friday for the following areas in Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin counties:

Ormond Beach
Daytona Beach
New Smyrna Beach
Canaveral National Seashore
Vero Beach
Cocoa Beach
Satellite Beach
Melbourne Beach
Fort Pierce Inlet
Jensen Beach
St. Lucie Inlet
Hobe Sound

The surf on Thursday at Volusia and Brevard county beaches is expected to reach 5 to 7 feet. On Friday, the surf height is an estimated 3 to 6 feet.

Photo: National Weather Service

A high rip current risk has been issued for the same areas through late Thursday night, according to the National Weather Service. A high rip current risk means that life-threatening rip currents are "likely" in the surf zone, which is the area of the beach closest to the shoreline.

"Beachgoers should remain out of the water!" NWS Melbourne said.

Rip current safety

Here are some safety tips about rip currents from the National Weather Service:

Before you get to the beach

Know how to swim
Check local surf zone forecast before heading to the beach

When you get to the beach

Swim at a lifeguard-protected beach
Obey all posted safety signs
Never swim alone
Stay at least 100 feet away from piers and jetties where rip currents are most common

How to escape rip currents

FOX 35 Storm Team Chief Meteorologist Jayme King says there will be dangerous rip currents at Florida's east coast beaches this weekend. If you get caught in one, here's how to get out.

If you get caught in a rip current

Relax, rip currents don't pull you under
Don't swim against the current
You could escape by swimming out of the current in a direction following the shoreline or toward breaking waves, then angle yourself toward the beach
Float or tread water if the current circulates back to the shore
Draw attention to yourself if you don't think you can reach the shore by yelling or waving for help

If you see someone in trouble

Get help from a lifeguard
Call 911 if a lifeguard isn't present
Try to direct the person to swim following the shoreline to escape the rip current
Throw the person something that floats
Do not enter the water without a floation device

Click here for more rip current safety tips.