Officials are warning novice swimmers and surfers about dangerous rip currents and large waves at Florida's beaches from Hurricane Erin. Up to 12' waves are possible this week, along with rough surf conditions.

Volusia County Ocean Rescue Director Tammy Malphurs spoke with FOX 35's Marley Capper about Hurricane Erin’s impact, stressing the dangers of strong surf and rip currents along the coast. She outlined how crews are monitoring conditions and keeping swimmers safe.

South Florida kicked off the new work with a warm and muggy morning as temperatures hovered in the low to mid 80s. Highs will climb to the low 90s in the afternoon. It will feel like the triple-digits when the humidity is factored in. The chance of rain is low but spotty showers are possible this afternoon.

According to a post to X from Michael Lowry, a hurricane specialist for a south Florida news station, Erin is the fifth Category 5 storm on “record to form this early in the hurricane season and the only Category 5 observed outside the Gulf or Caribbean this early in the year.”

This week’s weather across the Florida peninsula will remain fairly typical for August, even with a major hurricane moving through the Atlantic. A weak high-pressure system in the upper atmosphere continues to dominate the area,

Hurricane Erin became the first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic season on Friday, with sustained winds of 75 mph as it moves toward the Leeward Islands.

Hurricane Erin exploded in strength to a Category 5 storm in the Caribbean on Saturday, rapidly powering up from a tropical storm in a single day, the National Hurricane Center said.