Alert archive / Northern Mariana Islands / Rip Current Statements in 2024

Rip Current Statement 20, NWS Guam

December 20, 2024

NWS Guam issued this rip current statement at Dec 20, 2024, 11:35 PM CST. It took effect at Dec 21, 2024, 12:00 PM CST. It was in force for 36 hr.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued: Dec 20, 2024, 11:35 PM CST (05:35 UTC)
In effect from: Dec 21, 2024, 12:00 PM CST
Expired: Dec 23, 2024, 12:00 AM CST
In force: 36 hr
Issued by: NWS Guam

The text

As transmitted.

646 
WHMY40 PGUM 210535
CFWGUM

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Tiyan GU
335 PM ChST Sat Dec 21 2024

GUZ001-MPZ001>003-212000-
/O.CAN.PGUM.RP.S.0019.000000T0000Z-241221T2000Z/
/O.NEW.PGUM.SU.Y.0055.241221T1800Z-241223T0600Z/
/O.NEW.PGUM.RP.S.0020.241221T1800Z-241223T0600Z/
Guam-Rota-Tinian-Saipan-
335 PM ChST Sat Dec 21 2024

...HIGH RISK OF RIP CURRENTS IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT ALONG EAST FACING
REEFS... 
...HIGH SURF ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM SUNDAY TO 4 AM CHST 
MONDAY... 
...HIGH RISK OF RIP CURRENTS FROM SUNDAY MORNING THROUGH MONDAY 
AFTERNOON ALONG NORTH FACING REEFS...

* WHAT...Large breaking waves of 7 to 10 feet and dangerous rip 
  currents expected.

* WHERE...North facing reefs of the Marianas.

* WHEN...4 AM Sunday to 4 PM ChST Monday.

* IMPACTS...Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and
localized beach erosion. Rip currents can sweep even the best
swimmers away from shore into deeper water.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A larger pulse of long-period north swell
  arrives early Sunday morning, creating hazardous surf and
  dangerous rip currents along north facing reefs through Monday.
  Surf along west facing reefs will be noticeably elevated, 
  expected to approach but not to exceed hazardous levels at this 
  time.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to
dangerous surf conditions.

If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don't swim against
the current. If able, swim in a direction following the
shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave
for help.

&&

$$

IC

6 follow-up statements

457 
WHMY40 PGUM 211735
CFWGUM

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Tiyan GU
335 AM ChST Sun Dec 22 2024

GUZ001-MPZ001>003-220900-
/O.CON.PGUM.SU.Y.0055.241221T1800Z-241223T0600Z/
/O.CON.PGUM.RP.S.0020.241221T1800Z-241223T0600Z/
Guam-Rota-Tinian-Saipan-
335 AM ChST Sun Dec 22 2024

...HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM CHST MONDAY...
...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH MONDAY
AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...For the High Surf Advisory, large breaking waves of 8 to
10 feet expected in the surf zone. For the High Rip Current Risk,
dangerous rip currents expected.

* WHERE...North facing reefs of the Marianas.

* WHEN...For the High Surf Advisory, until 4 PM ChST Monday. For
the High Rip Current Risk, through Monday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and
localized beach erosion. Rip currents can sweep even the best
swimmers away from shore into deeper water.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A larger pulse of long-period north swell
  arrives early this morning, creating hazardous surf and
  dangerous rip currents along north facing reefs through Monday.
  Surf along west facing reefs will be noticeably elevated, 
  expected to approach but not to exceed hazardous levels at this 
  time.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to
dangerous surf conditions.

If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don't swim against
the current. If able, swim in a direction following the
shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave
for help.

&&

$$

Bowsher

025 
WHMY40 PGUM 220048
CFWGUM

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Tiyan GU
1048 AM ChST Sun Dec 22 2024

GUZ001-MPZ001>003-221000-
/O.CON.PGUM.SU.Y.0055.000000T0000Z-241223T0600Z/
/O.CON.PGUM.RP.S.0020.000000T0000Z-241223T0600Z/
Guam-Rota-Tinian-Saipan-
1048 AM ChST Sun Dec 22 2024

...HIGH SURF ADVISORY IN EFFECT ALONG WEST AND NORTH FACING REEFS 
UNTIL 4 PM CHST MONDAY ... 
...HIGH RISK OF RIP CURRENTS ALONG WEST...NORTH AND EAST FACING 
REEFS THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...For the High Surf Advisory, large breaking waves of 6 to
  9 feet along west facing reefs and 7 to 12 feet along north
  facing reefs. For the High Rip Current Risk, dangerous rip 
  currents.

* WHERE...For the High Surf Advisory, west and north facing reefs
  of the Marianas. For the High Rip Current Risk, west, north, 
  and east facing reefs of Marianas.

* WHEN...until 4 PM ChST Monday. 

* IMPACTS...Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and
  localized beach erosion. Rip currents can sweep even the best
  swimmers away from shore into deeper water.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to
dangerous surf conditions.

If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don't swim against
the current. If able, swim in a direction following the
shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave
for help.

&&

$$

IC

576 
WHMY40 PGUM 220550
CFWGUM

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Tiyan GU
350 PM ChST Sun Dec 22 2024

GUZ001-MPZ001>003-222000-
/O.CON.PGUM.SU.Y.0055.000000T0000Z-241223T0600Z/
/O.CON.PGUM.RP.S.0020.000000T0000Z-241223T0600Z/
Guam-Rota-Tinian-Saipan-
350 PM ChST Sun Dec 22 2024

...HIGH SURF ADVISORY IN EFFECT ALONG WEST AND NORTH FACING REEFS 
UNTIL 4 PM CHST MONDAY ... 
...HIGH RISK OF RIP CURRENTS ALONG WEST...NORTH AND EAST FACING 
REEFS THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...For the High Surf Advisory, large breaking waves of 6 to
  9 feet along west facing reefs and 8 to 11 feet along north 
  facing reefs. For the High Rip Current Risk, dangerous rip 
  currents.

* WHERE...For the High Surf Advisory, west and north facing reefs
  of the Marianas. For the High Rip Current Risk, west, north, 
  and east facing reefs of Marianas.

* WHEN...until 4 PM ChST Monday. 

* IMPACTS...Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and
localized beach erosion. Rip currents can sweep even the best
swimmers away from shore into deeper water.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Long-period north swell arrived early this
  morning, primarily creating hazardous surf and dangerous rip
  currents along north facing reefs, although refracted waves
  contribute to high rip risk along east facing reefs as well.
  North swell slowly subsides tonight and Monday, allowing for
  surf and rip risk to fall below hazardous levels by Monday. 
  Strong storms continue to push east off the coast of Japan, 
  generating north swell to impact the region later this week.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to
dangerous surf conditions.

If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don't swim against
the current. If able, swim in a direction following the
shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave
for help.

&&

$$

IC

614 
WHMY40 PGUM 220711 CCA
CFWGUM

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Coastal Hazard Message...CORRECTED
National Weather Service Tiyan GU
511 PM ChST Sun Dec 22 2024

GUZ001-MPZ001>003-222000-
/O.COR.PGUM.SU.Y.0055.000000T0000Z-241223T0600Z/
/O.COR.PGUM.RP.S.0020.000000T0000Z-241223T0600Z/
Guam-Rota-Tinian-Saipan-
511 PM ChST Sun Dec 22 2024

Corrected typo in Additional Details.

...HIGH SURF ADVISORY IN EFFECT ALONG WEST AND NORTH FACING REEFS 
UNTIL 4 PM CHST MONDAY ... 
...HIGH RISK OF RIP CURRENTS ALONG WEST...NORTH AND EAST FACING 
REEFS THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...For the High Surf Advisory, large breaking waves of 6 to
  9 feet along west facing reefs and 8 to 11 feet along north 
  facing reefs. For the High Rip Current Risk, dangerous rip 
  currents.

* WHERE...For the High Surf Advisory, west and north facing reefs
  of the Marianas. For the High Rip Current Risk, west, north, 
  and east facing reefs of Marianas.

* WHEN...until 4 PM ChST Monday. 

* IMPACTS...Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and
localized beach erosion. Rip currents can sweep even the best
swimmers away from shore into deeper water.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Long-period north swell arrived early this
  morning, primarily creating hazardous surf and dangerous rip
  currents along north facing reefs, although refracted waves
  contribute to high rip risk along east facing reefs as well. North
  swell slowly subsides tonight and Monday, allowing for surf and rip
  risk to fall below hazardous levels by Monday afternoon. Strong 
  storms continue to push east off the coast of Japan, generating 
  north swell to impact the region later this week.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to
dangerous surf conditions.

If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don't swim against
the current. If able, swim in a direction following the
shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave
for help.

&&

$$

IC

921 
WHMY40 PGUM 221759
CFWGUM

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Tiyan GU
359 AM ChST Mon Dec 23 2024

GUZ001-MPZ001>003-230600-
/O.CON.PGUM.SU.Y.0055.000000T0000Z-241223T0600Z/
/O.CON.PGUM.RP.S.0020.000000T0000Z-241223T0600Z/
Guam-Rota-Tinian-Saipan-
359 AM ChST Mon Dec 23 2024

...HIGH SURF ADVISORY IN EFFECT ALONG WEST AND NORTH FACING REEFS 
UNTIL 4 PM CHST TODAY... 
...HIGH RISK OF RIP CURRENTS ALONG NORTH, EAST AND WEST FACING 
REEFS THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...For the High Surf Advisory, large breaking waves of 6 to
  9 feet in the surf zone. For the High Rip Current Risk, dangerous 
  rip currents.

* WHERE...For the High Surf Advisory, west and north facing reefs
  of the Marianas. For the High Rip Current Risk, west, north, 
  and east facing reefs of Marianas.

* WHEN...Until 4 PM ChST this afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and
localized beach erosion. Rip currents can sweep even the best
swimmers away from shore into deeper water.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to
dangerous surf conditions.

If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don't swim against
the current. If able, swim in a direction following the
shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave
for help.

&&

$$

Bowsher

891 
WHMY40 PGUM 230539
CFWGUM

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Tiyan GU
339 PM ChST Mon Dec 23 2024

GUZ001-MPZ001>003-230645-
/O.EXP.PGUM.SU.Y.0055.000000T0000Z-241223T0600Z/
/O.EXP.PGUM.RP.S.0020.000000T0000Z-241223T0600Z/
Guam-Rota-Tinian-Saipan-
339 PM ChST Mon Dec 23 2024

...HIGH SURF ADVISORY WILL EXPIRE AT 4 PM CHST THIS AFTERNOON...
...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK WILL EXPIRE AT 4 PM CHST THIS
AFTERNOON...

The long-period northerly swell continues to subside, allowing surf
and rip risk to fall below hazardous levels along north, east, and
west facing reefs. Seas and surf look to come back up during midweek,
however, as the next set of large northerly swell arrives. A high rip
current risk and hazardous surf may return by Thursday.

$$

DeCou

The office that day

Everything else NWS Guam issued on the same UTC day.

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Dec 20, 11:35 PM CST	High Surf Advisory	GUM		48 hr
Dec 21, 11:35 AM CST	Small Craft Advisory	GUM		20 hr

Nearby

Rip Current Statements in Northern Mariana Islands, 2024 Rip Current Statements in Guam, 2024 Every rip current statement in 2024

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text.