Storm clouds and rip currents greet beachgoers on Hilton Head Island

A passing offshore storm system made for a gray, rainy day on the beaches of Hilton Head on Monday.

Winds and high surf prompted the National Weather Service to issue a rip current warning. Lifeguards from Shore Beach Service were flying their yellow caution flags and advising swimmers to stay in shallow water. “We’re telling people to stay in knee-deep water,” said operations manager Mike Wagner.

“The wind has definitely been a factor,” said Outside Hilton Head’s marketing coordinator, Olivia Baddley.

She said the company was not renting out paddleboard or kayaks to individuals, though guided kayak tours were proceeding normally. In addition, she said outings on the excursion catamaran “Pauhana” had been canceled for the day.

The storm system is expected to stay off the shore of Beaufort County as it tracks to the northeast, where it could eventually become Tropical Storm Irma.

By Tuesday, local weather should return to normal.

“Tomorrow looks pretty good,” said Wagner.

This story will be updated.

This story was originally published August 28, 2017 at 12:16 PM with the headline "Storm clouds and rip currents greet beachgoers on Hilton Head Island."