Alert archive / Florida / Rip Current Statements in 2023

Rip Current Statement 142, NWS Tallahassee, FL

December 23, 20234 counties in Florida

NWS Tallahassee, FL issued this rip current statement at Dec 23, 2023, 1:04 PM CST for 4 counties in Florida. It took effect at Dec 24, 2023, 6:00 AM CST. It was in force for 63 hr.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Dec 23, 2023, 1:04 PM CST (19:04 UTC)
In effect from
Dec 24, 2023, 6:00 AM CST
Expired
Dec 26, 2023, 9:00 PM CST
In force
63 hr
Issued by
NWS Tallahassee, FL

Counties Bay County, FL, Franklin County, FL, Gulf County, FL, Walton County, FL

The radar

The Eglin Afb radar (KEVX), 64 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:03 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

Tallahassee Rgnl, FL (KTLH), launched 12:00Z, 7.1 hours before the alert went out and 116 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, Tallahassee Rgnl, FL at 12:00Z on 2023-12-23Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 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, Tallahassee Rgnl, FL at 12:00Z on 2023-12-23The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -5 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
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
985 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
39 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-5 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
85 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

056 
WHUS42 KTAE 231904
CFWTAE

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
204 PM EST Sat Dec 23 2023

FLZ108-112-114-115-240315-
/O.NEW.KTAE.SU.Y.0009.231225T0600Z-231226T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KTAE.RP.S.0142.231224T1200Z-231226T0000Z/
South Walton-Coastal Bay-Coastal Gulf-Coastal Franklin-
204 PM EST Sat Dec 23 2023 /104 PM CST Sat Dec 23 2023/

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY MORNING THROUGH
MONDAY EVENING...
...HIGH SURF ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM EST /MIDNIGHT CST/ TO
7 PM EST /6 PM CST/ MONDAY...

* WHAT...For the High Rip Current Risk, dangerous rip currents 
  expected. For the High Surf Advisory, large breaking waves of 
  6 to 8 feet expected in the surf zone.

* WHERE...Walton, Bay, Gulf, and Franklin County Beaches.

* WHEN...For the High Rip Current Risk, from Sunday morning 
  through Monday evening. For the High Surf Advisory, from 1 AM 
  EST /midnight CST/ to 7 PM EST /6 PM CST/ Monday.

* IMPACTS...Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and
  localized beach erosion. Rip currents can sweep even the best
  swimmers away from shore into deeper water.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to
dangerous surf conditions.

Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and
float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a
direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the
shore and call or wave for help.

&&

$$
8 follow-up statements
330 
WHUS42 KTAE 240732
CFWTAE

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
232 AM EST Sun Dec 24 2023

FLZ108-112-114-115-242100-
/O.CON.KTAE.SU.Y.0009.231225T0600Z-231226T0000Z/
/O.CON.KTAE.RP.S.0142.231224T1200Z-231226T0000Z/
South Walton-Coastal Bay-Coastal Gulf-Coastal Franklin-
232 AM EST Sun Dec 24 2023 /132 AM CST Sun Dec 24 2023/

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM EST /6 AM
CST/ THIS MORNING THROUGH MONDAY EVENING...
...HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM EST /MIDNIGHT
CST/ TO 7 PM EST /6 PM CST/ MONDAY...

* WHAT...For the High Rip Current Risk, dangerous rip currents 
  expected. For the High Surf Advisory, large breaking waves of 
  6 to 8 feet expected in the surf zone.

* WHERE...Walton, Bay, Gulf, and Franklin County Beaches.

* WHEN...For the High Rip Current Risk, from Sunday morning 
  through Monday evening. For the High Surf Advisory, from 1 AM 
  EST /midnight CST/ to 7 PM EST /6 PM CST/ Monday.

* IMPACTS...Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and 
  localized beach erosion. Rip currents can sweep even the best 
  swimmers away from shore into deeper water.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to
dangerous surf conditions.

Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and
float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a
direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the
shore and call or wave for help.

&&

$$
172 
WHUS42 KTAE 241701
CFWTAE

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
1201 PM EST Sun Dec 24 2023

FLZ108-112-114-115-251115-
/O.CON.KTAE.SU.Y.0009.231225T0600Z-231226T0000Z/
/O.CON.KTAE.RP.S.0142.000000T0000Z-231226T0000Z/
South Walton-Coastal Bay-Coastal Gulf-Coastal Franklin-
1201 PM EST Sun Dec 24 2023 /1101 AM CST Sun Dec 24 2023/

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH MONDAY
EVENING...
...HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM EST /MIDNIGHT
CST/ TO 7 PM EST /6 PM CST/ MONDAY...

* WHAT...For the High Rip Current Risk, dangerous rip currents 
  expected. For the High Surf Advisory, large breaking waves of 
  6 to 8 feet expected in the surf zone.

* WHERE...Walton, Bay, Gulf, and Franklin County Beaches.

* WHEN...For the High Rip Current Risk, through Monday evening. 
  For the High Surf Advisory, from 1 AM EST /midnight CST/ to 7 
  PM EST /6 PM CST/ Monday.

* IMPACTS...Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and 
  localized beach erosion. Rip currents can sweep even the best 
  swimmers away from shore into deeper water.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to
dangerous surf conditions.

Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and
float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a
direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the
shore and call or wave for help.

&&

$$
637 
WHUS42 KTAE 250857
CFWTAE

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
357 AM EST Mon Dec 25 2023

FLZ108-112-114-115-260000-
/O.CON.KTAE.SU.Y.0009.000000T0000Z-231226T0000Z/
/O.CON.KTAE.RP.S.0142.000000T0000Z-231226T0000Z/
South Walton-Coastal Bay-Coastal Gulf-Coastal Franklin-
357 AM EST Mon Dec 25 2023 /257 AM CST Mon Dec 25 2023/

...HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EST /6 PM CST/
THIS EVENING...
...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...For the High Rip Current Risk, dangerous rip currents 
  expected. For the High Surf Advisory, large breaking waves of 
  6 to 8 feet expected in the surf zone.

* WHERE...Walton, Bay, Gulf, and Franklin County Beaches.

* WHEN...For the High Rip Current Risk, through Monday evening. 
  For the High Surf Advisory, from 1 AM EST /midnight CST/ to 7 
  PM EST /6 PM CST/ Monday.

* IMPACTS...Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and 
  localized beach erosion. Rip currents can sweep even the best 
  swimmers away from shore into deeper water.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to
dangerous surf conditions.

Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and
float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a
direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the
shore and call or wave for help.

&&

$$
159 
WHUS42 KTAE 251502
CFWTAE

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
1002 AM EST Mon Dec 25 2023

FLZ108-112-114-115-252315-
/O.EXT.KTAE.RP.S.0142.000000T0000Z-231227T0300Z/
/O.CON.KTAE.SU.Y.0009.000000T0000Z-231226T0000Z/
South Walton-Coastal Bay-Coastal Gulf-Coastal Franklin-
1002 AM EST Mon Dec 25 2023 /902 AM CST Mon Dec 25 2023/

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK NOW IN EFFECT THROUGH TUESDAY EVENING...
...HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EST /6 PM CST/
THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...For the High Surf Advisory, large breaking waves of 6 to
  8 feet expected in the surf zone. For the High Rip Current 
  Risk, dangerous rip currents expected. 

* WHERE...Walton, Bay, Gulf, and Franklin County Beaches.

* WHEN...For the High Rip Current Risk, through Tuesday evening. 
  For the High Surf Advisory, until 7 PM EST /6 PM CST/ this 
  evening.

* IMPACTS...Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and 
  localized beach erosion. Rip currents can sweep even the best 
  swimmers away from shore into deeper water.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to
dangerous surf conditions.

Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and
float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a
direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the
shore and call or wave for help.

&&

$$
175 
WHUS42 KTAE 260004
CFWTAE

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
704 PM EST Mon Dec 25 2023

FLZ108-112-114-115-261200-
/O.EXP.KTAE.SU.Y.0009.000000T0000Z-231226T0000Z/
/O.CON.KTAE.RP.S.0142.000000T0000Z-231227T0300Z/
South Walton-Coastal Bay-Coastal Gulf-Coastal Franklin-
704 PM EST Mon Dec 25 2023 /604 PM CST Mon Dec 25 2023/

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH TUESDAY
EVENING...
...HIGH SURF ADVISORY HAS EXPIRED...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Walton, Bay, Gulf, and Franklin County Beaches.

* WHEN...Through Tuesday evening. 

* IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away
  from shore into deeper water. Surf will gradually diminish into
  Tuesday, nevertheless, there remains a high risk for dangerous 
  and life threatening rip currents. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and
float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a
direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the
shore and call or wave for help.

&&

$$

Godsey
574 
WHUS42 KTAE 260127
CFWTAE

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
827 PM EST Mon Dec 25 2023

FLZ115-261000-
/O.NEW.KTAE.CF.Y.0008.231226T0127Z-231226T1000Z/
/O.CON.KTAE.RP.S.0142.000000T0000Z-231227T0300Z/
Coastal Franklin-
827 PM EST Mon Dec 25 2023

...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM EST TUESDAY...
...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH TUESDAY
EVENING...

* WHAT...For the Coastal Flood Advisory, minor coastal flooding. 
  For the High Rip Current Risk, dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Coastal Franklin County.

* WHEN...For the Coastal Flood Advisory, until 5 AM EST Tuesday. 
  For the High Rip Current Risk, through Tuesday evening.

* IMPACTS...High tide is around 1 AM ET Tuesday. Water levels
  around the time of high tide will rise to 1 to 2 feet above
  normally dry ground. This will result in minor inundation of
  roads immediately adjacent to the coast in Franklin County, 
  especially in Alligator Point, and flooding of boat ramps. Rip 
  currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into 
  deeper water.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Do not drive through water of unknown depth. Take the necessary 
actions to protect flood-prone property.

Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and
float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a
direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the
shore and call or wave for help.

&&

$$

FLZ127-261000-
/O.NEW.KTAE.CF.Y.0008.231226T0127Z-231226T1000Z/
Coastal Wakulla-
827 PM EST Mon Dec 25 2023

...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM EST TUESDAY...

* WHAT...Minor coastal flooding.

* WHERE...Coastal Wakulla County.

* WHEN...Until 5 AM EST Tuesday.

* IMPACTS...High tide is around 1 AM ET Tuesday. Water levels
  around the time of high tide will rise to 1 to 2 feet above
  normally dry ground. This will result in minor inundation of 
  beach access roads and flooding of boat ramps in Mashes Sands 
  Beach, Panacea, Spring Creek, and Saint Marks. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth.
Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone property.

&&

$$

FLZ108-112-114-261000-
/O.CON.KTAE.RP.S.0142.000000T0000Z-231227T0300Z/
South Walton-Coastal Bay-Coastal Gulf-
827 PM EST Mon Dec 25 2023 /727 PM CST Mon Dec 25 2023/

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH TUESDAY
EVENING...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Walton, Bay, Gulf, and Franklin County Beaches.

* WHEN...Through Tuesday evening.

* IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away 
  from shore into deeper water. Surf will gradually diminish 
  into Tuesday, nevertheless, there remains a high risk for 
  dangerous and life threatening rip currents.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and
float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a
direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the
shore and call or wave for help.

&&

$$

Godsey
104 
WHUS42 KTAE 260837
CFWTAE

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
337 AM EST Tue Dec 26 2023

FLZ115-270000-
/O.CAN.KTAE.CF.Y.0008.000000T0000Z-231226T1000Z/
/O.CON.KTAE.RP.S.0142.000000T0000Z-231227T0300Z/
Coastal Franklin-
337 AM EST Tue Dec 26 2023

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING...
...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IS CANCELLED...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Franklin County Beaches.

* WHEN...Through this evening.

* IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away 
  from shore into deeper water.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Trends at the Gulf of Mexico Tide Gauge at
  Apalachicola have been trending down, which is following the
  overall tidal pattern. Thus the coastal flood advisory has been
  cancelled.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and
float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a
direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the
shore and call or wave for help.

&&

$$

FLZ127-260945-
/O.CAN.KTAE.CF.Y.0008.000000T0000Z-231226T1000Z/
Coastal Wakulla-
337 AM EST Tue Dec 26 2023

...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IS CANCELLED...

Trends at the Gulf of Mexico Tide Gauge at Shell Point have been 
trending down, which is following the overall tidal pattern. Thus
the coastal flood advisory has been cancelled.

$$

FLZ108-112-114-270000-
/O.CON.KTAE.RP.S.0142.000000T0000Z-231227T0300Z/
South Walton-Coastal Bay-Coastal Gulf-
337 AM EST Tue Dec 26 2023 /237 AM CST Tue Dec 26 2023/

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

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Walton, Bay, and Gulf County Beaches.

* WHEN...Through this evening.

* IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away
  from shore into deeper water.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and
float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a
direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the
shore and call or wave for help.

&&

$$
402 
WHUS42 KTAE 261647
CFWTAE

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
1147 AM EST Tue Dec 26 2023

FLZ108-112-114-115-270300-
/O.CON.KTAE.RP.S.0142.000000T0000Z-231227T0300Z/
South Walton-Coastal Bay-Coastal Gulf-Coastal Franklin-
1147 AM EST Tue Dec 26 2023 /1047 AM CST Tue Dec 26 2023/

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EST /9 PM
CST/ THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Walton, Bay, and Gulf County Beaches.

* WHEN...Through this evening.

* IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away 
  from shore into deeper water.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and
float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a
direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the
shore and call or wave for help.

&&

$$

The office that day

Everything else NWS Tallahassee, FL issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Dec 23, 2:13 AM CSTSmall Craft AdvisoryTAE52 hr
Dec 23, 1:03 PM CSTGale WatchTAE24 hr
Dec 23, 1:04 PM CSTHigh Surf AdvisoryTAEBay, Franklin, Gulf, Walton53 hr

Nearby

Rip Current Statements in Florida, 2023Every rip current statement in 2023

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.