Rip Current — Suffolk, New York

2002-04-28 · near Bayport, Suffolk, New York

Wider weather episode

With a high pressure system over New England, winds and waves sharply increased during Sunday morning as a warm front moved northeast toward the region.Buoy 44025, located about 20 miles south of Fire Island Inlet, measured a sharp increase in south to southeast winds, significant wave heights, and wave steepness during this time. Wind speeds increased to near 25 knots, with gusts approaching 30 knots, as significant wave heights rose to near 5 feet.Waves (rough seas) hit a boat broadside and threw an experienced 51 year old man into the water, where he drowned following an unsuccessful rescue attempt in the Great South Bay near Bayport.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5289795. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.