MIAMI BEACH, Fla. -- The whipping wind along South Florida beaches is creating extremely dangerous rip currents, prompting Miami Beach lifeguards to fly the red danger flags.

During the past several days the wind has steadily increased and ocean swimming conditions have become deadly. Rip currents are the No. 1 surf danger in the United States, experts say, and more than 100 people per year drown because of rip currents. They also account for over 80 percent of all ocean rescues, Local 10 reported.

"The wind is so strong it is sandblasting people out on the beach and that actually keeps the crowds down. That means we have fewer people to look out for," Miami Beach lifeguard supervisor Hank Oppenborn told Local 10's Todd Tongen.

The National Weather Service in Miami has issued a wind advisory, which is in effect until 6 p.m. Wednesday. The forecast track maintains that Tropical Storm Noel's storm-force winds will remain well offshore the southeast Florida coast, but the combination of Noel with high pressure across the southeast United States will result in a strong pressure gradient that will result in winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts in excess of 40 mph through Wednesday evening before the storm begins to move way from the area.

Conditions are expected to begin to gradually improve across South Florida Wednesday night and Thursday.

While the beaches are not desolate, people strolling along the surf seem well aware of the dangers.

"It's blowing so hard the sand is stinging your face but you have to make the best of it. I don't have any plans on going in the water," said Allen Tubbs, a tourist on South Beach.

Lifeguards are also flying the Portuguese man-of-war warning purple flags warning swimmers of the possibility of dangerous jelly fish close to shore.

"We are just going for a walk then we are headed back to the pool to hang out," said hotel guest John Ventre.

About the only bright spot in the windy forecast is for tenacious South Florida surfers. The high winds and swells from Tropical Storm Noel are combining for some good surfing conditions from Third Street beach to Government Cut.

"I call South Florida the briar patch because to any other surfer it looks nasty, but down here we don't get much so you have to make the best of it when it comes. Right now it's overhead, but it's like surfing the wake of a cruise ship, " said veteran surfer Carl Shulte as he grabbed his surf board and headed for the waves.