Special Marine Warning Issued for Pensacola Bay and Coastal Florida Waters Through Sunday Morning

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Mobile, Alabama, has issued a Special Marine Warning for several coastal and inland waterways in the Florida Panhandle. The alert was issued at 6:15 AM CST and remains in effect until 7:45 AM CST.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the following geographic regions:

• Pensacola Bay Area, including Santa Rosa Sound
• Western Choctawhatchee Bay
• Coastal waters from the Okaloosa-Walton County Line to Pensacola, FL, extending out to 20 nautical miles

Specific locations impacted include Mary Esther, Navarre Beach, Fort Walton Beach, East Santa Rosa Sound, West Santa Rosa Sound, Pensacola Beach, Shalimar, Fort Walton Liberty Ship Reef, East Bay, and Okaloosa Pier.

What You Should Do

Mariners and residents in the affected areas are advised to avoid the water. Small craft could be damaged in briefly higher winds and suddenly higher waves. Boaters should seek safe harbor immediately until conditions improve.

Expected Conditions

At 6:15 AM CST, radar indicated a strong thunderstorm located near West Santa Rosa Sound, approximately 13 nautical miles east of Pensacola Pass. The storm is moving northeast at 35 knots. Hazards associated with this cell include wind gusts of 34 knots or greater. These conditions are expected to produce suddenly higher waves that pose a threat to small vessels.

Timeline

The Special Marine Warning is effective immediately as of 6:15 AM CST on February 15, 2026. The alert and the associated hazardous conditions are expected to last until 7:45 AM CST.