Special Marine Warning Issued for Mississippi Sound and Gulf Coastal Waters

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in New Orleans has issued a Special Marine Warning for several coastal areas and sounds. This alert was issued at 3:12 AM CDT as severe thunderstorms move through the region, posing an immediate threat to maritime activities.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the following geographic regions:

• Mississippi Sound
• Lake Borgne
• Chandeleur Sound
• Breton Sound
• Coastal waters from Pascagoula, Mississippi, to Stake Island out 20 nautical miles.

Specific locations impacted include Yscloskey, Waveland, Pass Christian, Ship Island, Lake Borgne, Cat Island, Bay St. Louis, Pascagoula, Long Beach, Rigolets, Gulf Park Estates, Port Sulphur, Ocean Springs, Gulfport, and Biloxi.

What You Should Do

Boaters should seek safe harbor immediately and remain there until these storms pass. If caught on open water, stay below deck if possible and keep away from ungrounded metal objects due to frequent lightning. Severe weather should be reported to the Coast Guard or the National Weather Service. Additionally, a Tornado Watch remains in effect until 4:00 AM CDT for southeastern Louisiana and southern Mississippi.

Expected Conditions

At 3:12 AM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from near Bay St. Louis to Montegut, moving east at 35 knots. Hazards identified by buoy observations include:

• Wind: Gusts up to 40 knots.
• Hail: Small hail is possible.
• Water Conditions: High waves and heavy rain.
• Lightning: Frequent and dangerous lightning is occurring.

Small craft could be damaged in briefly higher winds and suddenly higher waves.

Timeline

The Special Marine Warning is effective immediately and is scheduled to expire at 4:15 AM CDT on March 16, 2026.