High Rip Current Risk Hits Cape Cod and Massachusetts Beaches

Boston – If you’re planning a dip in the Atlantic on Monday or Tuesday, you’ll want to pay extra attention to the surf. The National Weather Service has issued a high‑risk advisory for rip currents along Cape Cod, the Islands and several other Massachusetts shorelines.

So, what exactly is a rip current? Picture water that’s trying to make its way back out to the open ocean after being pushed ashore by waves. It squeezes through the weakest point—often a dip in a sandbar—and forms a narrow, fast‑moving channel that shoots straight away from the beach.

These channels can be as slim as a hallway—just ten to twenty feet across—but in some places they stretch out ten times wider. Their length and intensity shift with the tide, the wind, and how the sandbars are shaped on any given day.

“You get this narrow strip between two sandbars where the water is forced out,” explains A.J. Burnett, meteorologist for StormTeam 5. “It’s a river of water racing offshore, and it can pull a swimmer out in an instant.”

Rip currents aren’t limited to the ocean; they can appear wherever waves break—large lakes, bays, even man‑made reservoirs. In fact, the National Weather Service says more than 80 % of beach rescues involve a rip current.

How to spot one before you get in

When you first step onto the sand, scan the water for a few tell‑tale signs. Look for a break in the regular wave pattern, a dark streak of water moving seaward, or a noticeably calmer patch amid the choppy surf. Any of these could indicate a hidden current waiting to snatch a swimmer away.

If you find yourself caught

Most people panic because the current feels like it’s dragging them farther out. Burnett’s advice is simple: don’t fight it head‑on.

Stay as calm as you can and swim parallel to the shoreline. By moving sideways you’ll eventually slip out of the narrow channel. Once you’re out, you’ll notice the water’s motion change and you can angle back toward shore.

If you’re too exhausted to break free, try to float or tread water and raise your arm to signal for help. Lifeguards are trained for these situations, but the best rescue is preventing the incident in the first place.

Remember, rip currents are powerful but predictable. Spotting them early, staying relaxed, and swimming parallel to the beach can turn a potentially dangerous encounter into a manageable one.

Stay safe, keep an eye on local beach advisories, and enjoy the ocean responsibly.