What does each beach flag color mean? A guide to the warning system amid severe weather and shark attacks.
CBSN
Nothing says a warm day quite like the beach, but beyond the shore lies a number of dangers, from rip currents and strong waves to shark attacks and bobbing jellyfish. Onshore, however, you will likely find a flag warning you of potential dangers, and whether it's purple, yellow, red or blue can tell you which hazard could be lurking in the waters.
A day on the beach can be full of fun, but when swimming in the ocean, be aware of its conditions and what other forms of life could be present beneath the surface. According to the U.S. Lifesaving Association, beach flags and their designated meanings were created to help inform people of just that. Many of these flags are also used around the world.
So what exactly are beach flags and what do they mean? Here are the flags approved by the association for use on beaches where lifeguards are trained to its standards.

Another winter storm may be headed toward the East Coast of the United States this weekend, on the heels of a powerful and deadly system that blanketed huge swaths of the country in snow and ice. The effects of that original storm have lingered for many areas in its path, and will likely remain as repeated bouts of Arctic air plunge downward from Canada and drive temperatures below freezing. Nikki Nolan contributed to this report. In:

Washington — The Senate is set to take a procedural vote Thursday morning on a package to fund the remaining government agencies and programs, with less than two days to avoid a partial government shutdown. But Democrats say they won't allow the package to move forward without reforms to immigration enforcement. Caitlin Huey-Burns contributed to this report.











