JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla.-- When the mighty Atlantic starts foaming, crashing and giving off a roar, you know a storm isn't far behind.
"The swell event is just about to unfold," Chickie Dimain said.
Dimain, surf forecaster for The U.S. Surfing Federation, started monitoring the latest winter storm a week ago.
Though it may not do much on land locally, in the water, it's a different story. Big waves are expected Sunday.
"It's going to be rough conditions, plus combined with the cold water. Cold water can make you stiffen up and tighten up and you just might not be used to it if you're a novice or inexperienced surfer," Dimain continued.
For pros like Kayla Durden, the swell is a welcome sight. It allows her and her board to not only ride the waves, but to do so in peace.
"It's going to be super windy, but for us it's good, because it kind of keeps the crowd away," she said.
In addition to big waves, the storm is expected to create dangerous rip currents, hazardous boating condtions, and east winds up to 20 miles per hour.
Surf gurus say despite the dramatics, for them, the weekend could make for a good time.
"Saturday, Sunday, it's going to be big. Sunday, really, really big. It could be exciting," said Paul West, president of the U.S. Surfing Federation.
