Special Marine Warning Issued for Florida Panhandle Coastal Waters Through Sunday Morning

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Tallahassee FL has issued a Special Marine Warning for several coastal regions and waterways in the Florida Panhandle. The alert was issued at 5:48 AM CST and remains in effect until 8:45 AM CST.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the following maritime regions:

• St. Andrews Bay Waterways
• Coastal waters from Okaloosa-Walton County Line to Mexico Beach out 20 NM
• Waters from Okaloosa-Walton County Line to Mexico Beach from 20 to 60 NM

Specific land-adjacent locations impacted include Panama City Beach, Laguna Beach, Santa Rosa Beach, Sandestin, and Miramar Beach.

What You Should Do

Boaters and residents in the affected areas should take the following precautions immediately:

• Seek safe harbor immediately as waterspouts can easily overturn boats and create hazardous seas.
• Ensure all persons on board are in a secure location and wearing life jackets.
• Avoid being on the water until conditions improve.

Expected Conditions

Radar indicates a line of showers capable of producing waterspouts. These showers were located along a line extending from 6 nm northwest of East Choctawhatchee Bay to 24 nm south of Okaloosa Deep Water Reef, moving northeast at 25 knots.

Hazards include:

• Waterspouts: Can quickly form, capsize boats, and damage vessels.
• Wind: Gusts in excess of 34 knots.
• Seas: Suddenly higher waves.
• Additional Hazards: Frequent lightning and heavy downpours.

Timeline

The Special Marine Warning is effective immediately as of 5:48 AM CST, Sunday, February 15, 2026. The warning is currently scheduled to expire at 8:45 AM CST.