Long Island forecast: Sunny skies, 'life threatening' rip currents

Long Island swimmers, already on alert for sharks, can add powerful rip currents to the list of ways to ruin an otherwise almost-perfect Tuesday at the beach.

The forecast calls for four-foot waves off Atlantic-facing beaches, with sunshine at least through the mid afternoon — on another summer day, irresistible to body surfers and Boogie boarders. But on this summer Tuesday, a high rip-current risk in effect through the evening might make baking in the sun on dry land a smarter choice.

Just make sure to bring along sun block. The UV index will be in the "Very High" category, according to the National Weather Service.

The weather service describes the "High Risk" rip current category as "life-threatening" for swimmers.

"Anyone visiting the beaches should stay out of the surf," an advisory on the weather service website says.

For those who risk it and enter the surf zone, the advisory says, bring along a flotation device and only swim in areas watched over by lifeguards.

"If caught in a rip current, relax and float, and do not swim against the current," says the advisory. "If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and yell or wave for help."

Other than sharks, dangerous surf and the risk of a nasty sunburn, Tuesday looks to be a day best spent outdoors.

The high will top out in the mid-80s under mostly sunny skies until after 2 p.m. when some clouds roll in with a 20% chance of thunderstorms, growing to 50% overnight, the weather service said. A low of 70 degrees is in the Tuesday evening forecast.

A heat up is predicted for Wednesday, with a high approaching 90 and sunny skies, dropping to about 70 in the evening.

Expect mostly sunny, dry conditions both Thursday and Friday with temperatures in the low- to mid-80s both days, the weather service said. Sunny skies are on tap for the weekend.

There's a small craft warning in effect for all Long Island waters through 9 p.m. Tuesday for the Long Island Sound, New York Harbor, Peconic and Gardiners bays, all South Shore bays and from Jones Inlet through Shinnecock Bay.

That warning also will be in effect from for all offshore waters, from Sandy Hook, New Jersey, to Fire Island Inlet and from Fire Island Inlet to Moriches Inlet, from 6 a.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday.