Subtropical Storm Nicole will bring high rip current risk to Jacksonville-area beaches

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Action News Jax First Alert Chief Meteorologist Mike Buresh said impacts from Subtropical Storm Nicole will include very high rip current risk at Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia beaches through this week.

Currently, coastal Duval, Nassau, St. Johns, Camden and Glynn counties are under a tropical storm watch. Get full details about severe weather alerts for our area by clicking here.

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Buresh said people living in or traveling to the Bahamas, Florida or the east coast of the U.S. should stay up to date on the latest forecasts.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for:

• Northwestern Bahamas
• East Coast of Florida from the Volusia/Brevard County Line to Hallandale Beach
• Lake Okeechobee

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for:

• Altamaha Sound southward to the Volusia/Brevard County Line
• Hallandale Beach to north of Ocean Reef

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours. A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.

Here is what to expect for the Jacksonville area, Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia, given the current forecast for Nicole:

• Strong onshore flow will continue and become even stronger this week with life-threatening rip currents and dangerous overall marine conditions.
• Surf and breakers will reach double digits by Tuesday and -- at times -- will be 15+ feet along area beaches from Wednesday through Friday. Seas will be 20+ feet and extremely rough just offshore. All marine craft should remain in port & secure vessels & equipment.
• Potential major dock and shoreline damage along the St. Johns River.

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• Beach erosion will become heavy to severe by mid to late week, a critical facet of the storm and conditions considering the recent damage from Ian.
• Winds of 15-25 mph -- with higher gusts -- will increase to 40+ mph with gusts 60+ mph by mid to late week.
• Rainfall will average 2-4″ along the coast, 1-3″+ inland

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• Flooding will be a daily threat at the beaches, especially at high tide becoming more significant with each day through the upcoming week. There will also be an astronomical boost due to the full moon phase which begins Tuesday. Ponding and eventually flooding will also occur along the St. Johns River & its tributaries.
• If Nicole ends up far enough south & west, and it appears it will, there will be a tornado and waterspout threat Wednesday especially Thursday through Friday.
• Inland impacts are likely to be realized by mid to late week in the form of wind, rain, flooding & tornadoes BUT WILL BE DEPENDENT ON EXACT TRACK & STRENGTH OF THE STORM.
• Be sure to check “Talking the Tropics With Mike,” which is updated each and every day during hurricane season.

Follow Action News Jax Meteorologists on Twitter for updates:

Mike Buresh | Garrett Bedenbaugh | Corey Simma | Trevor Gibbs

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