Dangerous Rip Current Warning Across MA Coast Next 2 Days

SALEM, MA — Those headed to the beaches on the Massachusetts coast are warned to be very careful if going into the water after the National Weather Service on Thursday issued a Rip Current Warning for the entire Massachusetts coast and a High Surf Advisory for Cape Cod and Nantucket.

The warning begins Friday morning and lasts through Saturday night amid a powerful ocean storm that is causing concerns even though it is not expected to come close enough to New England to produce rain, high winds or even substantial clouds.

"Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water," the NWS said in its statement on Thursday. "Many area beaches do not have lifeguards post Labor Day weekend, which makes rip current more dangerous. Best to find a beach with a lifeguard and never swim alone."

The NWS advises that anyone caught in a rip current to "relax and float."

"Don't swim against the current," the NWS said. "If able, swim in a direction following the schoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help."

The High Surf Advisory is also in place from Friday morning at 8 until Saturday night at 8.

Forecasts are for large breaking waves of 4 to 9 feet in the surf zone along Barnstable and Nantucket counties.

The waves can cause dangerous swimming conditions and the threat of beach erosion.

"Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions," the NWS said.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)