Hurricane Erin to bring strong rip currents and high waves to Mass. shore

Hurricane Erin is predicted to bring large waves and strong rip currents to the Massachusetts coast, according to the National Weather Service, even though the storm is not expected to make landfall.

"While Hurricane Erin will stay offshore, the rip current risk will be the biggest threat to the area," said Torry Dooley, a meteorologist with the agency in Boston.

The large waves and resulting strong rip currents are expected to arrive on Tuesday and remain strong through Thursday. The weather service predicts the high waves will dissipate Friday.

"We are reminding people if they are headed to the beach, be very aware of your surroundings," said Dooley. "Swim at a beach that is guarded by a lifeguard because we are anticipating that we'll have some high rip risks."

If you are caught in a rip current, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration advises swimmers to relax and not swim against the current. You may be able break out of a rip current by swimming parallel to the shore and then into the beach. If you can't escape the current, get the attention of a lifeguard.

While Dooley said it is too early to tell which specific beaches will be affected, south facing beaches on Cape Cod have the strongest likelihood of high rip currents.

The weather service has issued a "small craft advisory" from Florida's eastern coast up through Massachusetts. The agency has warned "inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels" to avoid going out on the water.