Special Marine Warning Issued for Gulf Waters Off Florida and Mississippi Coastline
The National Weather Service has issued a Special Marine Warning for offshore Gulf waters until 8:00 AM CDT due to a strong thunderstorm producing high wind gusts.
Alert Details
The National Weather Service in Mobile, Alabama, has issued a Special Marine Warning for offshore waters in the Gulf of Mexico. The alert was issued at 7:05 AM CDT on March 16, 2026, following the detection of a strong thunderstorm via radar.
Affected Areas
The warning impacts the following maritime regions:
- Waters from Pensacola, FL to Pascagoula, MS, from 20 to 60 nautical miles offshore.
- Waters from the Okaloosa-Walton County Line to Pensacola, FL, from 20 to 60 nautical miles offshore.
What You Should Do
Mariners are advised to avoid the warning area. Small craft could be damaged in briefly higher winds and suddenly higher waves. Operators of small vessels should seek safe harbor or remain clear of the storm’s path.
Expected Conditions
At 7:05 AM CDT, a strong thunderstorm was located 48 nautical miles south of Farewell Buoy. The storm is moving east at a speed of 50 knots. The primary hazard associated with this system is wind gusts of 34 knots or greater. The storm is expected to remain over mainly open waters.
Timeline
The alert is effective immediately as of 7:05 AM CDT and is currently set to expire at 8:00 AM CDT on March 16, 2026.
Source: NOAA Official Notice
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