Rip Current Warning Through the Weekend

A warning for the New Jersey Shore is in effect from the National Weather Service for .

Swimmers on the shore are cautioned, rip-tides will be strong this week and weekend. Beachgoers are cautioned to only swim when and where lifeguards are on duty.

Rip currents, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, are narrow channels of fast-moving water that pull swimmers away from the shore. They can occur any time, in fair or foul weather, on breezy days and calm days and at high tide or low tide.

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In an average year, more than 100 Americans lose their lives after being dragged out to sea in rip currents, though last year the number of deaths totaled 41, figures compiled by NOAA show.

Besides making sure to swim at a guarded beach, being able to identify where rip currents are occurring – and avoiding those areas – is the best bet to ensure one's safety.

Experts advise against swimming near jetties or piers where there are fixed rip currents, and recommend only strong swimmers swim in a large body of water that is subject to changing wind, waves and currents.

The forcast through Sunday is sunny, with some clouds on Friday and Saturday.