Breezy northeast winds build rough surf today, with a high rip current risk posted for Atlantic beaches through Thursday evening.
Today’s Weather – Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Boca Raton is waking up to a bright sky and a big warning for the beaches.
The National Weather Service forecast for 2 miles ESE of Boca Raton Airport calls for mostly sunny weather today with a high near 71, but the story is the wind and what it is doing to the ocean. Northeast winds are expected at 15 to 18 mph, with gusts up to 28 mph. That is enough to kick up the surf and keep the air feeling sharper along the coast, especially near the Intracoastal and the barrier island.
If you are headed out early for a walk near the beach, expect the breeze to be in your face at times. Driving the I-95 corridor or along Glades Road and Federal Highway, you will notice it too, particularly in open stretches and on overpasses. West of Lyons Road, it will still be breezy, but the coast is where the gusts will be most noticeable.
The rip current risk is the main public safety concern today. A Rip Current Statement is posted, and the message is straightforward: dangerous rip currents are expected, even with good beach weather. This is the kind of day where the sky looks fine, the water looks inviting, and the conditions can still turn quickly. The NWS guidance is to swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and float, do not fight the current, and if you can, swim parallel to the shoreline until you are out of it.
Tonight stays warm and breezy. The forecast calls for partly cloudy skies with a low around 65. Winds increase overnight, with northeast winds at 21 to 23 mph and gusts up to 31 mph. That means a noisy night for palms, patio furniture, and anything not tied down, especially in neighborhoods closer to the water and in more exposed areas.
Behind the scenes, forecasters say a tight pressure gradient is driving the wind today. Northeast winds along the east coast could gust up to around 30 mph this afternoon, and the onshore flow is also building a northeasterly swell. That combination is why the rip current risk ramps up and why conditions on the water are expected to stay hazardous.
On the marine side, it is not a casual boating day. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect, and the local marine forecast calls for northeast winds 20 to 25 knots today with gusts up to 30 knots. Seas run 5 to 8 feet and can occasionally reach 10 feet offshore, with rough intracoastal waters in exposed areas. Tonight looks worse, with northeast winds 25 to 30 knots and seas 6 to 9 feet, occasionally to 11 feet, plus very rough intracoastal conditions in exposed areas. If you have plans on the ocean or even inlets and open stretches of the Intracoastal, conditions will be challenging and potentially unsafe for smaller vessels.
Rain is not the headline today. The daytime forecast is dry and mostly sunny. Shower chances begin creeping back into the picture later Wednesday and beyond as moisture returns on the east wind.
Source: National Weather Service Miami forecast and statements (updated 3:47 a.m. EST Jan. 20, 2026).
Current Advisories / Watches / Warnings
Rip Current Statement / Coastal Hazard Message
High rip current risk is in effect from 7 a.m. EST Tuesday through Thursday evening for Coastal Palm Beach County, Coastal Broward County, and Coastal Miami-Dade County. Dangerous rip currents are expected, and the NWS warns they can sweep even strong swimmers into deeper water. Precaution guidance includes swimming near a lifeguard and not swimming against the current if caught.
Small Craft Advisory (Marine)
Small Craft Advisory remains in effect until 7 p.m. EST Wednesday for Atlantic coastal waters including:
- Coastal waters from Jupiter Inlet to Deerfield Beach out 20 NM
- Coastal waters from Deerfield Beach to Ocean Reef out 20 NM
- Offshore waters from Jupiter Inlet to Deerfield Beach 20 to 60 NM
- Offshore waters from Deerfield Beach to Ocean Reef 20 to 60 NM (excluding territorial waters of the Bahamas)
Northeast winds 20 to 30 knots and seas 7 to 11 feet are expected, creating hazardous conditions for small craft.
Additional NWS Watch/Warning/Advisory list items shown in the forecast discussion
- Cold Weather Advisory until 9 a.m. EST Tuesday for most of the area.
- High Rip Current Risk from 7 a.m. EST Tuesday through Thursday evening for most of the area.
- Small Craft Advisory until as late as 7 p.m. EST Wednesday for most of the area.
7 Day Outlook
Today (Tue): Mostly sunny and breezy. High near 71. Northeast winds 15 to 18 mph with gusts up to 28 mph. High rip current risk posted for Atlantic beaches. Hazardous marine conditions with a Small Craft Advisory.
Tonight: Partly cloudy and windy. Low around 65. Northeast winds 21 to 23 mph with gusts up to 31 mph. Seas and surf stay elevated.
Wednesday: Partly sunny with a 20 percent chance of showers after 1 p.m. High near 74. East winds 16 to 20 mph with gusts up to 26 mph. Breezy, with onshore flow keeping beach conditions rough. Marine conditions remain hazardous, and showers are more likely along the coast and over the Atlantic waters.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers. Low around 68. Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 22 mph. Winds ease some, but the pattern stays unsettled.
Thursday: Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. High near 77. Northeast winds 9 to 11 mph. Shower coverage increases, and an isolated thunderstorm is possible, mainly focused along the east coast and offshore waters. Rip current risk remains high through Thursday evening.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of showers. Low around 69. East winds around 10 mph. Seas begin trending down compared to midweek, but beach and marine conditions may still be choppy.
Friday: Showers become more of a midday and afternoon possibility. A slight chance early, then a better chance after 1 p.m., with thunderstorms possible. High near 79. East winds 8 to 10 mph. Rain chance 30 percent.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy. Low around 69. East winds 6 to 8 mph.
Saturday: Sunny and warmer. High near 80. East winds 6 to 10 mph. A quieter weather day inland and along the coast, though the ocean may still have leftover swell.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear. Low around 68.
Sunday: Sunny. High near 81.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy. Low around 64.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers with mostly sunny skies. High near 74. Forecast discussion notes uncertainty late in the period with the next front possibly staying north, but enough moisture may linger for a few showers.
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