Weather
Florida Panhandle Weather Oct. 9-10: Hurricane Watch
Panama City, FL – A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Gulf waters off parts of the Florida Panhandle as Isaias could bring tropical storm force winds, dangerous seas and gusts reaching 60 knots from Fr
By Natalie Rhodes · 2026-10-07T20:52:41.247Z
Panama City, FL – A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Gulf waters off parts of the Florida Panhandle as Isaias could bring tropical storm force winds, dangerous seas and gusts reaching 60 knots from Friday afternoon into Saturday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Tallahassee, the watch covers coastal and offshore waters from Apalachicola west to the Okaloosa Walton County line, including waters out to 60 nautical miles.
The marine forecast calls for east winds of 35 to 45 knots with gusts up to 60 knots under the Hurricane Watch. Seas could build to 17 to 22 feet.
A Small Craft Advisory also remains in effect until 7 a.m. CDT Thursday for portions of the same waters. During that period, northeast winds of 15 to 25 knots with gusts up to 30 knots are expected.
Tropical storm force winds are possible from Friday afternoon through Saturday morning across the watched Gulf waters.
St. Andrews Bay Waterways are also under a Hurricane Watch. There, northeast winds of 30 to 40 knots with gusts up to 55 knots are possible, with tropical storm force winds potentially developing Friday afternoon and continuing into early Saturday morning.
The NWS warns that extremely strong winds could create hazardous seas capable of capsizing or damaging vessels while sharply reducing visibility.
Mariners are being urged to remain in port, alter course or secure vessels before conditions deteriorate. The watch means hurricane force winds are possible, but not yet certain, within the affected marine zones.
Boaters should continue monitoring updates from NWS Tallahassee as Isaias approaches, with hazardous marine conditions expected to worsen Friday afternoon and potentially persist into Saturday morning.