INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Meteorologists warned beachgoers and boaters to stay out of the water Tuesday as waves were expected to build up to 11 feet high. The barrier island could have wind gusts up to 40 mph, said Melissa Watson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Melbourne.
“The waves are expected to be from 4 to 11 feet (high) in the surf zone,” Watson said. “We do not advise getting into the water or on the water.”
The breezy conditions come as weather experts put out warnings and advisories for high surf, a high risk of rip currents and strong wind gusts for Vero Beach.
Weather experts issued advisories on Monday for high surf and strong winds. The wind advisory remains in effect until 1 a.m. Wednesday, while the high surf advisory remains in effect until 10 a.m. Thursday, according to the National Weather Service in Melbourne.
Meteorologists will send out a coastal flood advisory about 2 p.m. Tuesday, which will last until 8 a.m. the following day. A gale warning issued on Monday also remains in effect, Watson said.
The heavy wind gusts will begin to decrease on Wednesday. The chilly temperatures were expected to warm up toward the end of the week, weather experts said.
Tuesday and Wednesday will have highs in the mid-60s, which will dip to the high 50s at night, meteorologists said. Thursday and Friday will have highs in the low 70s, which will slide to the low 60s in the evening.
Saturday and Sunday will have highs in the mid-70s, which will fall to the mid-60s at night.