Strong rip currents off Nassau and Suffolk beaches – byproducts of Tropical Storm Ernesto, which moved far out to sea on Sunday – have prompted warnings for swimmers to stay out of the water until Monday evening.

The weather can help deter beachgoers from jumping into the sea.

After a mostly rainy Sunday morning, there is a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms for the rest of the afternoon. The high temperature should be around 77 degrees.

According to the weather service, further showers and thunderstorms are likely between 8 p.m. Sunday and 2 a.m. Monday.

Ernesto, originally a hurricane, weakened to a tropical storm on Saturday. The weather service’s latest satellite maps show the storm will pass about 1,000 miles east of Long Island by 8 a.m. Monday morning.

Surf rip current warnings were issued on beaches in Nassau and Suffolk counties along the entire east coast on Sunday.

“Life-threatening rip currents are a threat to anyone entering the surf zone,” said a warning on the weather service’s website. “Anyone visiting the beaches should stay away from the surf. Rips can push even the best swimmers away from shore and into deeper water.”

The surf warning for Long Island remains in effect until 9 p.m.

Experts advise swimmers caught in a rip current to relax and float, rather than attempting to swim against the current directly to shore. Instead, swim parallel to the shoreline until the current subsides.

“If you cannot escape,” the NWS advised, “go to shore and call or wave for help.”

There is another 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms on Monday before 8 a.m. and after 2 p.m. Highs on Monday will be around 80, dropping to 64 by the evening.

According to the weather service, there is a 30 percent chance of rain on Tuesday, before partly sunny weather sets in on Wednesday.

Maximum temperatures on Tuesday and Wednesday will be between 21 and 25 degrees Celsius, falling to around 14 degrees Celsius in the evening.

With AP