Special Marine Warning Issued for St. Andrews Bay and Coastal Florida Panhandle

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Tallahassee FL has issued a Special Marine Warning for the coastal waters of the Florida Panhandle. This alert is classified as a severe threat with immediate urgency, as radar indicates thunderstorms capable of producing hazardous conditions.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the following geographic regions:

• St. Andrews Bay Waterways
• Coastal waters from Okaloosa-Walton County Line to Mexico Beach extending out 20 nautical miles.

Specific locations impacted by this storm system include Panama City Beach, Laguna Beach, Santa Rosa Beach, Sandestin, and Miramar Beach.

What You Should Do

Mariners are urged to move to safe harbor immediately until the hazardous weather passes. All individuals on board vessels should be in a secure location and must wear life jackets. Waterspouts can form quickly and have the potential to capsize boats, damage vessels, and create suddenly higher waves.

Expected Conditions

According to radar data, thunderstorms capable of producing waterspouts were located along a line moving east at 25 knots. Expected hazards include:

• Waterspouts: Potential for sudden formation and impact on vessels.
• Wind: Gusts of 34 knots or greater.
• Waves: Suddenly higher waves in the warning area.
• Additional Hazards: Frequent lightning and heavy downpours.

Timeline

The warning was issued at 6:33 AM CDT on March 8, 2026. The alert is effective immediately and is currently scheduled to expire at 8:30 AM CDT on March 8, 2026.