Erin's Life-Threatening Surf, Rip Currents To Hit GA Beaches

Hurricane Erin will generate dangerous rip currents and large breaking waves along the Georgia coast as the category 2 storm moves north and strengthens.

The surf zones of Georgia beaches may be hit with breaking waves up to 6 feet, prompting a high surf advisory in the Savannah area until 8 p.m. Thursday. A high rip current risk is also in effect through Tuesday evening for Bryan, Chatham, Liberty and McIntosh counties.

The National Weather Service warned swimming and surfing conditions may be dangerous, adding "rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water."

Beachgoers should mindful of localized beach erosion, and the NWS advised "inexperienced swimmers" stay out of the water due to the threatening conditions.

"Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help," the NWS said in its advisory.

The storm is expected to remain at sea and avoid direct landfall in the continental U.S., according to weather forecasters.

"Hurricane Erin has decided not to visit Georgia, can't say we're disappointed," the National Weather Service said in a Facebook post published Monday.

A NWS graphic shows the powerful system missing the Peach State, but narrowly bringing possible impacts to other parts of the East Coast. Even so, weather officials say the conditions this week could include life-threatening rip currents, high surf and heightened swells along the Georgia coast.

Including metro Atlanta and surrounding areas, scattered thunderstorms may be an issue for residents in north and central Georgia on Monday afternoon and evening.

Some of the storms could be strong, and lightning and gusty winds may be of concern with the storms, the NWS reported.

In far northeast Georgia, localized flooding and heavy rainfall may come with slow-moving storms. The storms may last through at least Sunday, but flooding is not presently expected in metro Atlanta.

Here is the National Weather Service's Tuesday morning forecast for metro Atlanta:

Today: A slight chance of showers between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. East wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Northeast wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Thursday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Friday: A chance of showers, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 8 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Friday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 2 a.m., then a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Saturday: A chance of showers before 8 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Saturday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 86.

Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 85.