Alert archive / Florida / Rip Current Statements in 2018

Rip Current Statement 33, NWS Mobile, AL

December 20, 2018Baldwin County, Mobile County, Alabama; Escambia County, Okaloosa County, Santa Rosa County, Florida

NWS Mobile, AL issued this rip current statement at Dec 20, 2018, 5:41 AM CST for Baldwin County, Mobile County, Alabama; Escambia County, Okaloosa County, Santa Rosa County, Florida. It was in force for 57 hr.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Dec 20, 2018, 5:41 AM CST (11:41 UTC)
Expired
Dec 22, 2018, 3:00 PM CST
In force
57 hr
Issued by
NWS Mobile, AL

Counties Baldwin County, AL, Mobile County, AL, Escambia County, FL, Okaloosa County, FL, Santa Rosa County, FL

The radar

The Mobile radar (KMOB), 82 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 11:44 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The nearest sounding before it

Slidell Radar S, LA (KSIL), launched 00:00Z, 11.7 hours before the alert went out and 227 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Slidell Radar S, LA at 00:00Z on 2018-12-20Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 60 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Slidell Radar S, LA at 00:00Z on 2018-12-20The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 23 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
60 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-73 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
690 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
45 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
23 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
101 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
-0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

507 
WHUS44 KMOB 201141 AAA
CFWMOB

Coastal Hazard Message...UPDATED
National Weather Service Mobile AL
541 AM CST Thu Dec 20 2018

FLZ206-202200-
/O.NEW.KMOB.SU.Y.0011.181221T0600Z-181222T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KMOB.RP.S.0033.181220T1141Z-181222T0000Z/
Okaloosa Coastal-
541 AM CST Thu Dec 20 2018

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON...
...HIGH SURF ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 6 PM CST
FRIDAY...

The National Weather Service in Mobile has issued a High Surf
Advisory, which is in effect from midnight tonight to 6 PM CST
Friday. A High Rip Current Risk has also been issued. This High
Rip Current Risk is in effect through Friday afternoon. 

* WAVES AND SURF...Surf heights increasing to 4 to 6 feet.  

* IMPACTS...The surf will be dangerous for all levels of 
  swimmers. Frequent life-threatening rip currents are expected. 
  Some minor beach erosion is possible. 

* WHERE...Beaches of Okaloosa County Florida. 

* IMPACTS...FREQUENT LIFE-THREATENING RIP CURRENTS ARE EXPECTED.
  THE SURF IS DANGEROUS FOR ALL LEVELS OF SWIMMERS...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A High Surf Advisory means that high surf will affect beaches in
the advisory area, producing localized beach erosion and
dangerous swimming conditions.

There is a high risk of rip currents.  Rip currents are life-
threatening to anyone entering the surf.  Swim near a lifeguard. 
If caught in a rip current remain calm.  Don't fight the current.
Swim in a direction following the shoreline.  If unable to
escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.  If tired,
float or tread water until out of the rip current.

&&

$$

ALZ265-266-FLZ202-204-202200-
/O.NEW.KMOB.RP.S.0033.181220T1141Z-181222T0000Z/
Mobile Coastal-Baldwin Coastal-Escambia Coastal-
Santa Rosa Coastal-
541 AM CST Thu Dec 20 2018

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON...

The National Weather Service in Mobile has issued a High Rip
Current Risk, which is in effect through Friday afternoon. 

* WHERE...Gulf beaches of Alabama and Northwest Florida. 

* IMPACTS...FREQUENT LIFE-THREATENING RIP CURRENTS ARE EXPECTED.
  THE SURF IS DANGEROUS FOR ALL LEVELS OF SWIMMERS... 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

There is a high risk of rip currents.  Rip currents are life-
threatening to anyone entering the surf.  Swim near a lifeguard. 
If caught in a rip current remain calm.  Don't fight the current.
Swim in a direction following the shoreline.  If unable to
escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.  If tired,
float or tread water until out of the rip current.

&&

$$
8 follow-up statements
714 
WHUS44 KMOB 202135
CFWMOB

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Mobile AL
335 PM CST Thu Dec 20 2018

FLZ206-210545-
/O.CON.KMOB.SU.Y.0011.181221T0600Z-181222T0000Z/
/O.CON.KMOB.RP.S.0033.000000T0000Z-181222T0000Z/
Okaloosa Coastal-
335 PM CST Thu Dec 20 2018

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH FRIDAY
AFTERNOON...
...HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO
6 PM CST FRIDAY...

* WAVES AND SURF...Surf heights increasing to 4 to 6 feet.

* IMPACTS...The surf will be dangerous for all levels of 
  swimmers. Frequent life-threatening rip currents are expected. 
  Some minor beach erosion is possible. 

* WHERE...Beaches of Okaloosa County Florida.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A High Surf Advisory means that high surf will affect beaches in
the advisory area, producing localized beach erosion and
dangerous swimming conditions.

There is a high risk of rip currents.  Rip currents are life-
threatening to anyone entering the surf.  Swim near a lifeguard.
If caught in a rip current remain calm.  Don't fight the current.
Swim in a direction following the shoreline.  If unable to
escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.  If tired,
float or tread water until out of the rip current.

&&

$$

ALZ265-266-FLZ202-204-210545-
/O.CON.KMOB.RP.S.0033.000000T0000Z-181222T0000Z/
Mobile Coastal-Baldwin Coastal-Escambia Coastal-
Santa Rosa Coastal-
335 PM CST Thu Dec 20 2018

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH FRIDAY
AFTERNOON...

* WHERE...Gulf beaches of Alabama and Northwest Florida.

* IMPACTS...The surf will be dangerous for all levels of 
  swimmers. Frequent life-threatening rip currents are expected. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

There is a high risk of rip currents.  Rip currents are life-
threatening to anyone entering the surf.  Swim near a lifeguard.
If caught in a rip current remain calm.  Don't fight the current.
Swim in a direction following the shoreline.  If unable to
escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.  If tired,
float or tread water until out of the rip current.

&&

$$
915 
WHUS44 KMOB 210537
CFWMOB

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Mobile AL
1137 PM CST Thu Dec 20 2018

FLZ206-211345-
/O.CON.KMOB.SU.Y.0011.181221T0600Z-181222T0000Z/
/O.CON.KMOB.RP.S.0033.000000T0000Z-181222T0000Z/
Okaloosa Coastal-
1137 PM CST Thu Dec 20 2018

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH FRIDAY
AFTERNOON...
...HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST FRIDAY...

* WAVES AND SURF...Surf heights increasing to 4 to 6 feet.

* IMPACTS...The surf will be dangerous for all levels of 
  swimmers. Frequent life-threatening rip currents are expected. 
  Some minor beach erosion is possible. 

* WHERE...Beaches of Okaloosa County Florida.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A High Surf Advisory means that high surf will affect beaches in
the advisory area, producing localized beach erosion and
dangerous swimming conditions.

There is a high risk of rip currents.  Rip currents are life-
threatening to anyone entering the surf.  Swim near a lifeguard.
If caught in a rip current remain calm.  Don't fight the current.
Swim in a direction following the shoreline.  If unable to
escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.  If tired,
float or tread water until out of the rip current.

&&

$$

ALZ265-266-FLZ202-204-211345-
/O.CON.KMOB.RP.S.0033.000000T0000Z-181222T0000Z/
Mobile Coastal-Baldwin Coastal-Escambia Coastal-
Santa Rosa Coastal-
1137 PM CST Thu Dec 20 2018

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH FRIDAY
AFTERNOON...

* WHERE...Gulf beaches of Alabama and Northwest Florida.

* IMPACTS...The surf will be dangerous for all levels of 
  swimmers. Frequent life-threatening rip currents are expected. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

There is a high risk of rip currents.  Rip currents are life-
threatening to anyone entering the surf.  Swim near a lifeguard.
If caught in a rip current remain calm.  Don't fight the current.
Swim in a direction following the shoreline.  If unable to
escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.  If tired,
float or tread water until out of the rip current.

&&

$$
995 
WHUS44 KMOB 211055
CFWMOB

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Mobile AL
455 AM CST Fri Dec 21 2018

FLZ206-211900-
/O.CON.KMOB.SU.Y.0011.000000T0000Z-181222T0000Z/
/O.CON.KMOB.RP.S.0033.000000T0000Z-181222T0000Z/
Okaloosa Coastal-
455 AM CST Fri Dec 21 2018

...HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST THIS
EVENING...
...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS
AFTERNOON...

* WAVES AND SURF...Surf heights 4 to 6 feet.

* IMPACTS...The surf will be dangerous for all levels of 
  swimmers. Frequent life-threatening rip currents are expected. 
  Some minor beach erosion is possible. 

* WHERE...Beaches of Okaloosa County Florida.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A High Surf Advisory means that high surf will affect beaches in
the advisory area, producing localized beach erosion and
dangerous swimming conditions.

There is a high risk of rip currents.  Rip currents are life-
threatening to anyone entering the surf.  Swim near a lifeguard.
If caught in a rip current remain calm.  Don't fight the current.
Swim in a direction following the shoreline.  If unable to
escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.  If tired,
float or tread water until out of the rip current.

&&

$$

ALZ265-266-FLZ202-204-211900-
/O.CON.KMOB.RP.S.0033.000000T0000Z-181222T0000Z/
Mobile Coastal-Baldwin Coastal-Escambia Coastal-
Santa Rosa Coastal-
455 AM CST Fri Dec 21 2018

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS
AFTERNOON...

* WHERE...Gulf beaches of Alabama and Northwest Florida.

* IMPACTS...The surf will be dangerous for all levels of 
  swimmers. Frequent life-threatening rip currents are expected. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

There is a high risk of rip currents.  Rip currents are life-
threatening to anyone entering the surf.  Swim near a lifeguard.
If caught in a rip current remain calm.  Don't fight the current.
Swim in a direction following the shoreline.  If unable to
escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.  If tired,
float or tread water until out of the rip current.

&&

$$
825 
WHUS44 KMOB 211631
CFWMOB

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Mobile AL
1031 AM CST Fri Dec 21 2018

FLZ206-220045-
/O.EXT.KMOB.RP.S.0033.000000T0000Z-181222T1200Z/
/O.CON.KMOB.SU.Y.0011.000000T0000Z-181222T0000Z/
Okaloosa Coastal-
1031 AM CST Fri Dec 21 2018

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK NOW IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT...
...HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST THIS
EVENING...

* WAVES AND SURF...Surf heights 4 to 6 feet.

* IMPACTS...The surf will be dangerous for all levels of 
  swimmers. Frequent life-threatening rip currents are expected. 
  Some minor beach erosion is possible. 

* WHERE...Beaches of Okaloosa County Florida.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A High Surf Advisory means that high surf will affect beaches in
the advisory area, producing localized beach erosion and
dangerous swimming conditions.

There is a high risk of rip currents.  Rip currents are life-
threatening to anyone entering the surf.  Swim near a lifeguard.
If caught in a rip current remain calm.  Don't fight the current.
Swim in a direction following the shoreline.  If unable to
escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.  If tired,
float or tread water until out of the rip current.

&&

$$

ALZ265-266-FLZ202-204-220045-
/O.EXT.KMOB.RP.S.0033.000000T0000Z-181222T1200Z/
Mobile Coastal-Baldwin Coastal-Escambia Coastal-
Santa Rosa Coastal-
1031 AM CST Fri Dec 21 2018

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK NOW IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT...

* WHERE...Gulf beaches of Alabama and Northwest Florida.

* IMPACTS...The surf will be dangerous for all levels of 
  swimmers. Frequent life-threatening rip currents are expected. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

There is a high risk of rip currents.  Rip currents are life-
threatening to anyone entering the surf.  Swim near a lifeguard.
If caught in a rip current remain calm.  Don't fight the current.
Swim in a direction following the shoreline.  If unable to
escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.  If tired,
float or tread water until out of the rip current.

&&

$$
648 
WHUS44 KMOB 220024
CFWMOB

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Mobile AL
624 PM CST Fri Dec 21 2018

FLZ206-221200-
/O.EXP.KMOB.SU.Y.0011.000000T0000Z-181222T0000Z/
/O.CON.KMOB.RP.S.0033.000000T0000Z-181222T1200Z/
Okaloosa Coastal-
624 PM CST Fri Dec 21 2018

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM CST
SATURDAY...
...HIGH SURF ADVISORY HAS EXPIRED...

* WHERE...Gulf beaches of Northwest Florida.

* IMPACTS...The surf will be dangerous for all levels of 
  swimmers. Frequent life-threatening rip currents are expected. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

There is a high risk of rip currents.  Rip currents are life-
threatening to anyone entering the surf.  Swim near a lifeguard. 
If caught in a rip current remain calm.  Don't fight the current.
Swim in a direction following the shoreline.  If unable to
escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.  If tired,
float or tread water until out of the rip current.

&&

$$

ALZ265-266-FLZ202-204-221200-
/O.CON.KMOB.RP.S.0033.000000T0000Z-181222T1200Z/
Mobile Coastal-Baldwin Coastal-Escambia Coastal-
Santa Rosa Coastal-
624 PM CST Fri Dec 21 2018

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM CST
SATURDAY...

* WHERE...Gulf beaches of Alabama and Northwest Florida.

* IMPACTS...The surf will be dangerous for all levels of 
  swimmers. Frequent life-threatening rip currents are expected. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

There is a high risk of rip currents.  Rip currents are life-
threatening to anyone entering the surf.  Swim near a lifeguard.
If caught in a rip current remain calm.  Don't fight the current.
Swim in a direction following the shoreline.  If unable to
escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.  If tired,
float or tread water until out of the rip current.

&&

$$
285 
WHUS44 KMOB 220923
CFWMOB

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Mobile AL
323 AM CST Sat Dec 22 2018

ALZ265-266-FLZ202-204-206-221730-
/O.EXT.KMOB.RP.S.0033.000000T0000Z-181222T2100Z/
Mobile Coastal-Baldwin Coastal-Escambia Coastal-
Santa Rosa Coastal-Okaloosa Coastal-
323 AM CST Sat Dec 22 2018

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 PM CST THIS
AFTERNOON...

* WHERE...Gulf beaches of Alabama and Northwest Florida.

* IMPACTS...The surf will be dangerous for all levels of 
  swimmers. Frequent life-threatening rip currents are expected. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

There is a high risk of rip currents.  Rip currents are life-
threatening to anyone entering the surf.  Swim near a lifeguard.
If caught in a rip current remain calm.  Don't fight the current.
Swim in a direction following the shoreline.  If unable to
escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.  If tired,
float or tread water until out of the rip current.

&&

$$
439 
WHUS44 KMOB 221600
CFWMOB

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Mobile AL
1000 AM CST Sat Dec 22 2018

ALZ265-266-FLZ202-204-206-222100-
/O.CON.KMOB.RP.S.0033.000000T0000Z-181222T2100Z/
Mobile Coastal-Baldwin Coastal-Escambia Coastal-
Santa Rosa Coastal-Okaloosa Coastal-
1000 AM CST Sat Dec 22 2018

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 PM CST THIS
AFTERNOON...

* WHERE...Gulf beaches of Alabama and Northwest Florida.

* IMPACTS...The surf will be dangerous for all levels of 
  swimmers. Frequent life-threatening rip currents are expected. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

There is a high risk of rip currents.  Rip currents are life-
threatening to anyone entering the surf.  Swim near a lifeguard.
If caught in a rip current remain calm.  Don't fight the current.
Swim in a direction following the shoreline.  If unable to
escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.  If tired,
float or tread water until out of the rip current.

&&

$$
702 
WHUS44 KMOB 222107
CFWMOB

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Mobile AL
307 PM CST Sat Dec 22 2018

ALZ265-266-FLZ202-204-206-222215-
/O.EXP.KMOB.RP.S.0033.000000T0000Z-181222T2100Z/
Mobile Coastal-Baldwin Coastal-Escambia Coastal-
Santa Rosa Coastal-Okaloosa Coastal-
307 PM CST Sat Dec 22 2018

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK HAS EXPIRED...

Although the high risk of rip currents has expired, a moderate
risk of rip currents is in effect through tonight.

$$

The office that day

Everything else NWS Mobile, AL issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Dec 20, 2:48 AM CSTSmall Craft AdvisoryMOB47 hr
Dec 20, 5:49 AM CSTWind AdvisoryMOBBaldwin, Mobile30 hr
Dec 20, 10:14 AM CSTSmall Craft AdvisoryMOB8 hr
Dec 20, 5:41 AM CSTHigh Surf AdvisoryMOBOkaloosa36 hr

Nearby

Rip Current Statements in Florida, 2018Rip Current Statements in Alabama, 2018Every rip current statement in 2018

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.