Special Marine Warning Issued for Louisiana Coastal Waters Near Southwest Pass

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in New Orleans has issued a Special Marine Warning for specific coastal waters off the Louisiana coast. The alert was issued at 1:43 PM CST on March 7, 2026, and remains in effect until 2:45 PM CST.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the coastal waters from the Southwest Pass of the Mississippi River to Port Fourchon, Louisiana, extending from 20 to 60 nautical miles offshore.

What You Should Do

Strong winds associated with this system are dangerous for boaters and anyone near the water. Residents and mariners in the warning area should take the following actions:

• Ensure all persons on board vessels are wearing life jackets.
• Seek shelter or move to a safe harbor immediately until the hazardous weather passes.
• Avoid waterspouts and never attempt to navigate near them.

Expected Conditions

At 1:42 PM CST, radar indicated a cluster of severe thunderstorms located 34 nautical miles southeast of the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (or 39 nautical miles southwest of Southwest Pass). The system is moving northwest at 25 knots.

Primary Hazards:

• Waterspouts: Capable of quickly forming and capsizing boats or damaging vessels and oil rigs.
• Wind: Gusts up to 40 knots.
• Waves: Suddenly higher waves are expected, which could damage small craft.

Timeline

The Special Marine Warning is effective immediately as of 1:43 PM CST and is expected to expire at 2:45 PM CST on March 7, 2026. The cluster of severe thunderstorms is expected to remain primarily over open waters during this window.