Rip Current Warning Issued On LI, Possible Thunder Storms

LONG ISLAND, NY — The National Weather Service is cautioning all Long Island swimmers to stay away from surf zones, as life-threatening rip currents are expected on Monday.

The service issued a rip current statement from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m., warning even the "best swimmers" to be on alert.

"Anyone visiting the beaches should stay out of the surf," the service said. "Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water."

If you enter the surf zone, always have a flotation device with you and swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and float, and do not swim against the current, the service said. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline.

If unable to escape, face the shore and yell or wave for help.

The warning is in effect for southwest Suffolk, southeast Suffolk and southern Nassau counties, as well as Brooklyn and southern Queens.

Long Island is also expected to receive rain this week, with a chance of showers and thunderstorms on Wednesday.

Here's the full week's forecast from the National Weather Service:

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. Southwest wind 9 to 13 mph.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. Southwest wind 7 to 10 mph.

Wednesday: A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 73. South wind 8 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 78.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78.