Special Marine Warning Issued for Florida Gulf Waters Through Sunday Evening

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Tallahassee has issued a Special Marine Warning for offshore waters in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. The alert was issued at 4:01 PM CDT and remains in effect through early Sunday evening.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the following maritime regions:

• Waters from Okaloosa-Walton County Line to Mexico Beach from 20 to 60 NM.
• Waters from Mexico Beach to Apalachicola FL from 20 to 60 NM.

Specific locations impacted include the Empire Mica Wreck.

What You Should Do

Mariners are urged to move to safe harbor immediately to avoid gusty winds and high waves. The National Weather Service advises that all persons on board vessels should be wearing life jackets.

Expected Conditions

At 4:01 PM CDT, radar indicated a line of strong thunderstorms extending from 65 nm south of Okaloosa Deep Water Reef to 70 nm southwest of Empire Mica Wreck. The storms are moving northeast at 30 knots. Hazards include:

• Wind gusts of 34 knots or greater.
• Suddenly higher waves.
• Frequent lightning.
• Heavy downpours.

Timeline

The Special Marine Warning is effective from 4:01 PM CDT on March 15, 2026, until 7:00 PM CDT.