Special Marine Warning Issued for East Central Florida Coastal Waters Until 6:00 PM EDT

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Melbourne, FL, has issued a Special Marine Warning (SMW) for the coastal waters of East Central Florida. The alert was triggered by radar-indicated strong thunderstorms moving through the region, posing an immediate threat to mariners.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the following marine zones from 0 to 20 nautical miles offshore:

• Flagler Beach to the Volusia-Brevard County Line
• Volusia-Brevard County Line to Sebastian Inlet

Specific locations impacted by these storms include Lagrange, Mims, New Smyrna Beach, Edgewater, and Playalinda Beach.

Expected Conditions

At 4:54 PM EDT, a line of strong thunderstorms was located from near Edgewater to near Port Canaveral, moving north at 15 knots. Mariners in the area should expect the following hazards:

• Wind gusts of 34 knots or greater
• Small hail
• Suddenly higher waves
• Frequent lightning and heavy downpours

What You Should Do

Boaters and mariners are advised to move to safe harbor immediately until the hazardous weather passes. Ensure all persons on board are wearing life jackets. Avoid remaining on the water during these conditions.

Timeline

The warning was issued at 4:55 PM EDT on March 15 and is scheduled to remain in effect until 6:00 PM EDT.