MARINERS NEED TO PAY ATTENTION TO ADVISORIES
The National Weather Service is asking all marine interests to pay close attention to their latest advisories on Hurricane Bill.
Our biggest concerns at this time are the likelihood of widespread rip currents at area beaches and rough seas along our coastal waters during this weekend. Swells will be building along our south coast later this week due to a southwest flow, not from Bill. However, swells will continue to build during the weekend from Bill and may approach 10 feet by Sunday across all open waters. This would result in a high risk of rip currents along both the south and east coasts. A High Surf Advisory may need to be issued this weekend, depending upon the eventual track of Hurricane Bill.
The astronomical tide is relatively high to start with this weekend. Since long period swells contain a lot of energy, splashover may become an issue along vulnerable shorelines during the high tides on Sunday as well. There could be some risk of erosion, too.
Although a direct hit from Bill is not presently likely...this still might be a good time for boaters to check moorings as a precautionary measure. It may also become unsafe for mariners to venture into the offshore waters this weekend until Hurricane Bill passes by and seas subside.
We will issue the latest advisory later this afternoon.