Tallahassee, FL – Beachgoers and boaters along the Florida Panhandle are being urged to use extreme caution this weekend as hazardous conditions take hold in the Gulf of Mexico.
According to the National Weather Service in Tallahassee, a high risk of rip currents remains in effect today for Franklin County beaches, including St. George Island. Forecasters warn of surf near three feet and say life-threatening rip currents are likely, capable of pulling even strong swimmers away from shore. Red flags are flying at area beaches, and residents and visitors are strongly encouraged to stay out of the surf.
At sea, a Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Sunday night for Gulf waters stretching from the Okaloosa-Walton County line eastward to the Suwannee River. Offshore seas are expected to reach 5 to 8 feet, driven by persistent northeast winds of 20 to 30 knots.
“Wind and wave conditions will be hazardous for small craft,” the Weather Service cautioned. “Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, should avoid navigating in these conditions.”
The advisory follows the arrival of gusty northeast winds, with speeds of 20 to 25 mph expected to persist across the region. These winds, combined with building surf, are contributing to both the rip current threat for swimmers and the dangerous offshore conditions for boaters.
Officials advise checking local forecasts before heading to the beach or launching a vessel. Beach safety experts also remind swimmers to always observe posted flags, and if caught in a rip current, swim parallel to shore until free from the current before attempting to return to land.
