Friday morning, red flags were flying at Atlantic Beach off the circle as lifeguards warned beachgoers not to go in the water because of dangerous rip currents.

The National Weather Service is warning of the high risk through Saturday, at the coastlines of Carteret, Onslow, Dare and Hyde counties.

Forecasters say the combination of high astronomical tides, moderate easterly flow and southeasterly swell will produce a high threat of dangerous rip currents Friday. They say the threat will likely persist through Sunday.

Experts strongly urge you to pay attention to any available lifeguards and monitor the flag warnings on the beach.

Rip currents are strong, narrow channels of water that flow out to sea. If you become caught in a rip current, remain calm and try to swim on a course that is parallel to the beach until you get free, then swim to shore.

Do not try to swim against the current. They can exhaust and kill even the strongest swimmer.