Surf's up, beach lovers! Today's looking like a wild ride along the Carolina coastline, so listen up and get ready for some serious wave action.
We're seeing high rip current risks from Wilmington to Myrtle Beach, which means you'll want to keep your wits about you in the water. Surf heights are cranking between 3 to 5 feet, promising some killer waves for experienced surfers, but potential trouble for casual swimmers.
The weather's playing a bit of hide and seek today - mostly cloudy until early afternoon, then breaking into mostly sunny conditions. Expect scattered showers and thunderstorms dancing across the coastline, so keep an eye on those skies. Water temperatures are sitting pretty in the lower 70s, making for a refreshing ocean experience.
Winds are coming in strong from the south around 10 to 15 miles per hour, which means choppy conditions and those gnarly rip currents we mentioned. UV index is running moderate to high, so sunscreen is your best friend today.
Looking ahead, Wednesday will mellow out slightly with moderate rip current risks and slightly smaller surf. Thursday through Saturday are looking sunny and increasingly warm, with temperatures climbing into the low to mid 80s.
A word to the wise: respect the ocean. Those rip currents are no joke, especially near piers, jetties, and reefs. If you're not a strong swimmer, stick close to lifeguard stations and pay attention to local warnings.
Stay safe, stay stoked, and enjoy those beautiful Carolina waves!