Special Marine Warning Issued for Waters Near Fernandina Beach to St. Augustine FL

Source: NOAA · Northeast Florida Coastal Waters

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NWS Jacksonville has issued a Special Marine Warning for coastal waters from Fernandina Beach to St. Augustine FL due to severe thunderstorms capable of producing waterspouts.

Read this weather record in 30 seconds

Record type
Special Marine Warning
Affected area
Northeast Florida Coastal Waters
Issued
August 4, 2026
Issuing authority
NWS Jacksonville FL

Marine notices apply to named waters or shoreline zones. They may not describe conditions on land, even when the nearest place name is the same.

Record status: publication date is recent, but current status is not stored on this page. Check the issuing agency's live warning service before acting because warnings can be updated, narrowed, or cancelled.

Alert Details

A Special Marine Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service Jacksonville FL. The alert is effective from August 4, 2026 at 3:43 PM EDT until August 4, 2026 at 4:45 PM EDT.

Affected Areas

Coastal waters from Fernandina Beach to St. Augustine FL out 20 NM and waters from Fernandina Beach to St. Augustine FL from 20 to 60 NM. Locations impacted include Atlantic Beach, Palm Valley, Jacksonville Beach, Mayport, Talbot Island, Nassau Sound Approach Buoy 6a, Saint Johns Lighted Buoy, Anna Reef, Vilano Beach, South Ponte Vedra Beach, Guana River State Park, and Saint Augustine.

What You Should Do

Move to safe harbor immediately as gusty winds and high waves are expected. If your vessel is caught offshore, immediately secure for heavy weather. Ensure all crew members are wearing USCG approved Type I life jackets and nonessential crew are below decks. Deploy jack lines and harnesses if available. Check life saving equipment, including batteries on handheld radios, for readiness.

Expected Conditions

Severe thunderstorms capable of producing waterspouts were located along a line extending from near Talbot Island to near Guana River State Park, moving east at 15 knots. Hazard includes waterspouts and wind gusts to 40 knots.

Timeline

The warning is in effect from 3:43 PM EDT until 4:45 PM EDT on August 4, 2026.

Original source: NOAA Official Notice ↗

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this NWS weather alert.

What is this NWS weather alert about?
NWS Jacksonville has issued a Special Marine Warning for coastal waters from Fernandina Beach to St. Augustine FL due to severe thunderstorms capable of producing waterspouts.
Which agency issued this alert?
This alert was issued by NOAA. The original notice is available at the source link at the bottom of this article.
How severe is this alert?
This alert is classified as "high" severity. Take precautions and monitor for updates.
What area is affected?
This alert affects Northeast Florida Coastal Waters. Check with NOAA for the most current geographic scope.
Where can I find more Weather Alerts updates?
Browse the full Weather Alerts feed on Areazine at areazine.com/weather/ for the latest updates from NOAA and other agencies.