Special Marine Warning Issued for Northeast Florida Coastal Waters Until 9:00 PM EDT

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Jacksonville FL has issued a Special Marine Warning (SMWJAX) for coastal and offshore waters in Northeast Florida. The alert is effective immediately and remains in place until 9:00 PM EDT on March 15, 2026.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the following geographic regions:

• Coastal waters from Fernandina Beach to St. Augustine FL out 20 NM
• Coastal waters from St. Augustine to Flagler Beach FL out 20 NM
• Waters from Fernandina Beach to St. Augustine FL from 20 to 60 NM
• Waters from St. Augustine to Flagler Beach FL from 20 to 60 NM

Specific locations impacted include Casablanca Reef, Atlantic Beach, Dorothy Louise Barge, Saint Augustine Beach, Mayport, Nassau Sound Approach Buoy 6a, Tournament Reef, Anna Reef, Amelia City, South Ponte Vedra Beach, Nine Mile Reef, Talbot Island, Saint Johns Lighted Buoy, Navy Drydock, Jacksonville Beach, Vilano Beach, Palm Valley, and Saint Augustine.

What You Should Do

Mariners are advised to move to safe harbor immediately until hazardous weather passes. If your vessel is caught offshore, secure it for heavy weather. Ensure all crew members are wearing USCG approved Type I life jackets and move nonessential crew below decks. Deploy jack lines and harnesses if available. Check all life-saving equipment, including batteries on handheld radios, for readiness.

Expected Conditions

Radar indicates strong thunderstorms moving northeast at 25 knots. These storms are capable of producing wind gusts up to 40 knots. Small craft could be damaged in briefly higher winds and suddenly higher waves. As of 7:30 PM EDT, storms were located along a line extending from Atlantic Beach to near Butler Beach, with additional storms positioned 55 NM from St. Augustine Beach.

Timeline

The alert was issued at 7:30 PM EDT and is expected to expire at 9:00 PM EDT on March 15, 2026.