Rip Current Statement
Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service San Juan PR
442 PM AST Thu Feb 19 2026
PRZ001-002-005-008-010-200445-
/O.EXT.TJSJ.RP.S.0008.000000T0000Z-260221T2200Z/
/O.CON.TJSJ.SU.Y.0003.000000T0000Z-260220T2200Z/
San Juan and Vicinity-Northeast-North Central-Northwest-
Mayaguez and Vicinity-
442 PM AST Thu Feb 19 2026
...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK NOW IN EFFECT THROUGH SATURDAY
AFTERNOON...
...HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM AST FRIDAY...
* WHAT...For the High Surf Advisory, large breaking waves of 10 to
13 feet. For the HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK, life-threatening rip
currents.
* WHERE... For the HIGH SURF ADVISORY, the most vulnerable areas
for high surf and beach erosion include Pinones along Road 187,
Parcelas Suarez, Villas del Mar, and Villa Christiana in Loiza;
Fortuna in Luquillo; Pueblo and Tamarindo in Aguadilla; Barrio
Obrero, Pueblo and Jareaito in Arecibo; Las Boca in Barceloneta;
Machuca in Manati; Puerto Nuevo in Vega Baja; Ocean Park in San
Juan; and Barrio Espinal in Aguada. For the HIGH RIP CURRENT
RISK, northern coastal beaches of Puerto Rico.
* WHEN...The High Surf Advisory remains in effect until 6 PM AST
Friday. The High Rip Current Risk now in effect through Saturday
afternoon.
* IMPACTS...FOR THE HIGH SURF ADVISORY, High waves that can wash
over jetties and sweep people and pets onto jagged rocks.
Rough surf may also knock you down. Large breaking waves will
result in localized beach/dune structure erosion and dangerous
swimming conditions. FOR THE HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK, rip
currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into
deeper water, where it becomes difficult to return to safety.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A long-period northerly swell is
approaching the Atlantic beaches of the islands, expected to
spread across the local waters over the next few days. This
swell is expected to produce large breaking waves between 6 and
13 feet, particularly by noon today through Friday. Large
breaking waves of High Surf Advisory criteria will likely reach
the northern coastline by midday today. However, stronger pulses
of the swell can even arrive earlier. Therefore, the High Surf
Advisory was issued early today.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
There is a high risk of rip currents.
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, beach patrol flags and
signs.
If you become caught in a rip current, yell for help. Remain
calm, do not exhaust yourself and stay afloat while waiting for
help. If you have to swim out of a rip current, swim parallel to
shore and back toward the beach when possible. Do not attempt to
swim directly against a rip current as you will tire quickly.
A High Surf Advisory means that high surf will affect beaches in
the advisory area, producing localized beach erosion and
dangerous swimming conditions.
&&
$$
Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service San Juan PR
442 PM AST Thu Feb 19 2026
PRZ012-200445-
/O.EXB.TJSJ.SU.Y.0003.260220T0400Z-260220T2200Z/
/O.EXT.TJSJ.RP.S.0008.000000T0000Z-260221T2200Z/
Culebra-
442 PM AST Thu Feb 19 2026
...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK NOW IN EFFECT THROUGH SATURDAY
AFTERNOON...
...HIGH SURF ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 6 PM AST
FRIDAY...
* WHAT...For the High Surf Advisory, large breaking waves of up to
10 feet. For the HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK, life-threatening rip
current.
* WHERE...Beaches of Culebra.
* WHEN...For the High Rip Current Risk now through saturday
afternoon. For the High Surf Advisory from midnight tonight to
6 PM AST friday
* IMPACTS...FOR THE HIGH SURF ADVISORY, High waves that can wash
over jetties and sweep people and pets onto jagged rocks.
Rough surf may also knock you down. Large breaking waves will
result in localized beach/dune structure erosion and dangerous
swimming conditions. FOR THE HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK, rip
currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into
deeper water, where it becomes difficult to return to safety.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
There is a high risk of rip currents.
Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away
from shore, which occur most often at low spots or breaks in the
sandbar and in the vicinity of structures such as groins, jetties
and piers. Heed the advice of lifeguards, beach patrol flags and
signs.
If you become caught in a rip current, yell for help. Remain
calm, do not exhaust yourself and stay afloat while waiting for
help. If you have to swim out of a rip current, swim parallel to
shore and back toward the beach when possible. Do not attempt to
swim directly against a rip current as you will tire quickly.
&&
$$
Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service San Juan PR
442 PM AST Thu Feb 19 2026
VIZ001-200445-
/O.EXT.TJSJ.RP.S.0008.000000T0000Z-260221T2200Z/
St.Thomas...St. John...and Adjacent Islands-
442 PM AST Thu Feb 19 2026
...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK NOW IN EFFECT THROUGH SATURDAY
AFTERNOON...
* WHAT...Life-threatening rip currents.
* WHERE...Beaches of St. Thomas and St. John.
* WHEN...Through Saturday Afternoon.
* IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away
from shore into deeper water, where it becomes difficult to
return to safety.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
There is a high risk of rip currents.
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, beach patrol flags and
signs.
If you become caught in a rip current, yell for help. Remain
calm, do not exhaust yourself and stay afloat while waiting for
help. If you have to swim out of a rip current, swim parallel to
shore and back toward the beach when possible. Do not attempt to
swim directly against a rip current as you will tire quickly.
&&
$$
