Alert archive / Virginia / Rip Current Statements in 2015

Rip Current Statement 3, NWS Wakefield, VA

August 9, 2015Worcester County, Maryland; Accomack County, Northampton County, City of Virginia Beach, Virginia; Currituck County, North Carolina

NWS Wakefield, VA issued this rip current statement at Aug 9, 2015, 2:24 AM EDT for Worcester County, Maryland; Accomack County, Northampton County, City of Virginia Beach, Virginia; Currituck County, North Carolina. It took effect at Aug 9, 2015, 8:00 AM EDT. It was in force for 12 hr.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Aug 9, 2015, 2:24 AM EDT (06:24 UTC)
In effect from
Aug 9, 2015, 8:00 AM EDT
Expired
Aug 9, 2015, 7:58 PM EDT
In force
12 hr
Issued by
NWS Wakefield, VA

Counties Worcester County, MD, Currituck County, NC, Accomack County, VA, City of Virginia Beach, VA, Northampton County, VA

The radar

The Norfolk radar (KAKQ), 113 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 06:23 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The nearest sounding before it

Wallops Is Stn, VA (KWAL), launched 00:00Z, 6.4 hours before the alert went out and 80 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Wallops Is Stn, VA at 00:00Z on 2015-08-09Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Wallops Is Stn, VA at 00:00Z on 2015-08-09The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -57 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
1105 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
13 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-57 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
16 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

472 
WHUS41 KAKQ 090624
CFWAKQ

COASTAL HAZARD MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAKEFIELD VA
224 AM EDT SUN AUG 9 2015

...DANGEROUS SHOREBREAK TODAY...

MDZ025-VAZ099-100-091430-
/O.NEW.KAKQ.RP.S.0003.150809T1200Z-150810T0000Z/
/O.EXT.KAKQ.BH.S.0003.150809T1200Z-150810T0000Z/
MARYLAND BEACHES-ACCOMACK-NORTHAMPTON VA-
224 AM EDT SUN AUG 9 2015

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM EDT THIS MORNING
THROUGH THIS EVENING...
...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT NOW IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM EDT THIS
MORNING THROUGH THIS EVENING...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN WAKEFIELD HAS ISSUED A HIGH RIP
CURRENT RISK...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM EDT THIS MORNING
THROUGH THIS EVENING. 

* HAZARDS...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK. DANGEROUS SHOREBREAK.

* LOCATION...EASTERN SHORE BEACHES INCLUDING OCEAN CITY AND 
  ASSATEAGUE. 

* WAVES AND SURF...DANGEROUS SHOREBREAK OF 4 FEET OR GREATER CAN 
  CAUSE NECK AND SPINAL INJURIES...AFFECTING EVEN THE MOST ABLE 
  SWIMMERS. SHOREBREAK OCCURS WHEN WAVES BREAK DIRECTLY ON THE 
  BEACH POTENTIALLY CAUSING NECK AND HEAD INJURIES. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT IS ISSUED WHEN THREATS SUCH AS RIP
CURRENTS...LONGSHORE CURRENTS...LARGE BREAKING WAVES AND OTHER
HAZARDS ARE POSSIBLE. CAUTION SHOULD BE USED WHEN IN OR NEAR THE
WATER.

PLEASE VISIT THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE TO SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE
NEW BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT...

HTTP://WWW.WEATHER.GOV/SURVEY/NWS-SURVEY.PHP?CODE=CHMBHS

RIP CURRENTS ARE POWERFUL CHANNELS OF WATER FLOWING QUICKLY AWAY
FROM SHORE...WHICH OCCUR MOST OFTEN AT LOW SPOTS OR BREAKS IN THE
SANDBAR AND IN THE VICINITY OF STRUCTURES SUCH AS GROINS...
JETTIES AND PIERS. HEED THE ADVICE OF LIFEGUARDS AND THE BEACH
PATROL. PAY ATTENTION TO FLAGS AND POSTED SIGNS. RIP CURRENTS CAN
BECOME LIFE THREATENING TO ANYONE WHO ENTERS THE SURF.

IF YOU BECOME CAUGHT IN A RIP CURRENT...DO NOT PANIC. REMAIN
CALM AND BEGIN TO SWIM PARALLEL TO SHORE. ONCE YOU ARE AWAY FROM
THE FORCE OF THE RIP CURRENT...BEGIN TO SWIM BACK TO THE BEACH.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SWIM DIRECTLY AGAINST A RIP CURRENT...SINCE IT
CAN EXHAUST AND EVEN KILL THE STRONGEST SWIMMER.

&&

$$

NCZ102-VAZ098-091430-
/O.NEW.KAKQ.RP.S.0003.150809T1200Z-150810T0000Z/
/O.CON.KAKQ.BH.S.0003.150809T1200Z-150810T0000Z/
OUTER BANKS CURRITUCK-VIRGINIA BEACH-
224 AM EDT SUN AUG 9 2015

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM EDT THIS MORNING
THROUGH THIS EVENING...
...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM EDT THIS
MORNING THROUGH THIS EVENING...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN WAKEFIELD HAS ISSUED A HIGH RIP
CURRENT RISK...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM EDT THIS MORNING
THROUGH THIS EVENING. 

* HAZARDS...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK. DANGEROUS SHOREBREAK.

* LOCATION...VIRGINIA BEACH AND THE NORTHERN OUTER BANKS OF 
  CURRITUCK COUNTY. 

* WAVES AND SURF...DANGEROUS SHOREBREAK OF 4 FEET OR GREATER CAN 
  CAUSE NECK AND SPINAL INJURIES...AFFECTING EVEN THE MOST ABLE 
  SWIMMERS. SHOREBREAK OCCURS WHEN WAVES BREAK DIRECTLY ON THE 
  BEACH POTENTIALLY CAUSING NECK AND HEAD INJURIES. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT IS ISSUED WHEN THREATS SUCH AS RIP
CURRENTS...LONGSHORE CURRENTS...LARGE BREAKING WAVES AND OTHER
HAZARDS ARE POSSIBLE. CAUTION SHOULD BE USED WHEN IN OR NEAR THE
WATER.

PLEASE VISIT THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE TO SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE
NEW BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT...

HTTP://WWW.WEATHER.GOV/SURVEY/NWS-SURVEY.PHP?CODE=CHMBHS

RIP CURRENTS ARE POWERFUL CHANNELS OF WATER FLOWING QUICKLY AWAY
FROM SHORE...WHICH OCCUR MOST OFTEN AT LOW SPOTS OR BREAKS IN THE
SANDBAR AND IN THE VICINITY OF STRUCTURES SUCH AS GROINS...
JETTIES AND PIERS. HEED THE ADVICE OF LIFEGUARDS AND THE BEACH
PATROL. PAY ATTENTION TO FLAGS AND POSTED SIGNS. RIP CURRENTS CAN
BECOME LIFE THREATENING TO ANYONE WHO ENTERS THE SURF.

IF YOU BECOME CAUGHT IN A RIP CURRENT...DO NOT PANIC. REMAIN
CALM AND BEGIN TO SWIM PARALLEL TO SHORE. ONCE YOU ARE AWAY FROM
THE FORCE OF THE RIP CURRENT...BEGIN TO SWIM BACK TO THE BEACH.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SWIM DIRECTLY AGAINST A RIP CURRENT...SINCE IT
CAN EXHAUST AND EVEN KILL THE STRONGEST SWIMMER.

&&

$$

44
3 follow-up statements
275 
WHUS41 KAKQ 091017
CFWAKQ

COASTAL HAZARD MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAKEFIELD VA
617 AM EDT SUN AUG 9 2015

...DANGEROUS SHOREBREAK TODAY...

MDZ025-NCZ102-VAZ098>100-091830-
/O.CON.KAKQ.BH.S.0003.150809T1200Z-150810T0000Z/
/O.CON.KAKQ.RP.S.0003.150809T1200Z-150810T0000Z/
MARYLAND BEACHES-OUTER BANKS CURRITUCK-VIRGINIA BEACH-ACCOMACK-
NORTHAMPTON VA-
617 AM EDT SUN AUG 9 2015

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS
EVENING...
...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING...

* HAZARDS...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK. DANGEROUS SHOREBREAK.

* LOCATION...EASTERN SHORE BEACHES INCLUDING OCEAN CITY AND 
  ASSATEAGUE...VIRGINIA BEACH AND THE NORTHERN OUTER BANKS OF 
  CURRITUCK COUNTY. 

* WAVES AND SURF...DANGEROUS SHOREBREAK OF 4 FEET OR GREATER CAN 
  CAUSE NECK AND SPINAL INJURIES...AFFECTING EVEN THE MOST ABLE 
  SWIMMERS. SHOREBREAK OCCURS WHEN WAVES BREAK DIRECTLY ON THE 
  BEACH POTENTIALLY CAUSING NECK AND HEAD INJURIES. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT IS ISSUED WHEN THREATS SUCH AS RIP
CURRENTS...LONGSHORE CURRENTS...LARGE BREAKING WAVES AND OTHER
HAZARDS ARE POSSIBLE. CAUTION SHOULD BE USED WHEN IN OR NEAR THE
WATER.

PLEASE VISIT THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE TO SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE
NEW BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT...

HTTP://WWW.WEATHER.GOV/SURVEY/NWS-SURVEY.PHP?CODE=CHMBHS

RIP CURRENTS ARE POWERFUL CHANNELS OF WATER FLOWING QUICKLY AWAY
FROM SHORE...WHICH OCCUR MOST OFTEN AT LOW SPOTS OR BREAKS IN THE
SANDBAR AND IN THE VICINITY OF STRUCTURES SUCH AS GROINS...
JETTIES AND PIERS. HEED THE ADVICE OF LIFEGUARDS AND THE BEACH
PATROL. PAY ATTENTION TO FLAGS AND POSTED SIGNS. RIP CURRENTS CAN
BECOME LIFE THREATENING TO ANYONE WHO ENTERS THE SURF.

IF YOU BECOME CAUGHT IN A RIP CURRENT...DO NOT PANIC. REMAIN CALM
AND BEGIN TO SWIM PARALLEL TO SHORE. ONCE YOU ARE AWAY FROM THE
FORCE OF THE RIP CURRENT...BEGIN TO SWIM BACK TO THE BEACH. DO
NOT ATTEMPT TO SWIM DIRECTLY AGAINST A RIP CURRENT...SINCE IT CAN
EXHAUST AND EVEN KILL THE STRONGEST SWIMMER.

&&

$$
756 
WHUS41 KAKQ 091705
CFWAKQ

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
COASTAL HAZARD MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAKEFIELD VA
105 PM EDT SUN AUG 9 2015

...DANGEROUS SHOREBREAK TODAY...

MDZ025-NCZ102-VAZ098>100-100000-
/O.CON.KAKQ.BH.S.0003.000000T0000Z-150810T0000Z/
/O.CON.KAKQ.RP.S.0003.000000T0000Z-150810T0000Z/
MARYLAND BEACHES-OUTER BANKS CURRITUCK-VIRGINIA BEACH-ACCOMACK-
NORTHAMPTON VA-
105 PM EDT SUN AUG 9 2015

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...
...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...

* HAZARDS...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK. DANGEROUS SHOREBREAK.

* LOCATION...EASTERN SHORE BEACHES INCLUDING OCEAN CITY AND 
  ASSATEAGUE...VIRGINIA BEACH...AND THE NORTHERN OUTER BANKS
  OF CURRITUCK COUNTY.

* WAVES AND SURF...DANGEROUS SHOREBREAK OF 4 FEET OR GREATER CAN 
  CAUSE NECK AND SPINAL INJURIES...AFFECTING EVEN THE MOST ABLE 
  SWIMMERS. SHOREBREAK OCCURS WHEN WAVES BREAK DIRECTLY ON THE 
  BEACH POTENTIALLY CAUSING NECK AND HEAD INJURIES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT IS ISSUED WHEN THREATS SUCH AS RIP
CURRENTS...LONGSHORE CURRENTS...LARGE BREAKING WAVES AND OTHER
HAZARDS ARE POSSIBLE. CAUTION SHOULD BE USED WHEN IN OR NEAR THE
WATER.

PLEASE VISIT THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE TO SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE
NEW BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT...

HTTP://WWW.WEATHER.GOV/SURVEY/NWS-SURVEY.PHP?CODE=CHMBHS

RIP CURRENTS ARE POWERFUL CHANNELS OF WATER FLOWING QUICKLY AWAY
FROM SHORE...WHICH OCCUR MOST OFTEN AT LOW SPOTS OR BREAKS IN THE
SANDBAR AND IN THE VICINITY OF STRUCTURES SUCH AS GROINS...
JETTIES AND PIERS. HEED THE ADVICE OF LIFEGUARDS AND THE BEACH
PATROL. PAY ATTENTION TO FLAGS AND POSTED SIGNS. RIP CURRENTS CAN
BECOME LIFE THREATENING TO ANYONE WHO ENTERS THE SURF.

IF YOU BECOME CAUGHT IN A RIP CURRENT...DO NOT PANIC. REMAIN CALM
AND BEGIN TO SWIM PARALLEL TO SHORE. ONCE YOU ARE AWAY FROM THE
FORCE OF THE RIP CURRENT...BEGIN TO SWIM BACK TO THE BEACH. DO
NOT ATTEMPT TO SWIM DIRECTLY AGAINST A RIP CURRENT...SINCE IT CAN
EXHAUST AND EVEN KILL THE STRONGEST SWIMMER.

&&

$$
333 
WHUS41 KAKQ 092358
CFWAKQ

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
COASTAL HAZARD MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WAKEFIELD VA
758 PM EDT SUN AUG 9 2015

MDZ025-NCZ102-VAZ098>100-100100-
/O.CAN.KAKQ.BH.S.0003.000000T0000Z-150810T0000Z/
/O.CAN.KAKQ.RP.S.0003.000000T0000Z-150810T0000Z/
MARYLAND BEACHES-OUTER BANKS CURRITUCK-VIRGINIA BEACH-ACCOMACK-
NORTHAMPTON VA-
758 PM EDT SUN AUG 9 2015

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT IS CANCELLED...
...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK IS CANCELLED...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN WAKEFIELD HAS CANCELLED THE BEACH
HAZARDS STATEMENT. THE HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

$$

Nearby

Rip Current Statements in Virginia, 2015Rip Current Statements in Maryland, 2015Rip Current Statements in North Carolina, 2015Every rip current statement in 2015

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.