Alert archive / Florida / Rip Current Statements in 2026

Rip Current Statement 13, NWS Melbourne, FL

March 17, 20265 counties in Florida

NWS Melbourne, FL issued this rip current statement at Mar 17, 2026, 1:20 AM EDT for 5 counties in Florida. It was in force for 6 days.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Mar 17, 2026, 1:20 AM EDT (05:20 UTC)
Expired
Mar 23, 2026, 3:00 AM EDT
In force
6 days
Issued by
NWS Melbourne, FL

Counties Brevard County, FL, Indian River County, FL, Martin County, FL, Saint Lucie County, FL, Volusia County, FL

The radar

The Melbourne radar (KMLB), 23 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 05:21 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

Tampa Bay, FL (KTBW), launched 00:00Z, 5.3 hours before the alert went out and 173 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, Tampa Bay, FL at 00:00Z on 2026-03-17Temperature 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, Tampa Bay, FL at 00:00Z on 2026-03-17The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 95 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 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
1393 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
46 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
95 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
141 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
1.2

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

761 
WHUS42 KMLB 170520
CFWMLB

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Melbourne FL
120 AM EDT Tue Mar 17 2026

FLZ141-154-159-164-347-447-647-747-180700-
/O.NEW.KMLB.RP.S.0013.260317T0520Z-260318T0700Z/
Coastal Volusia-Coastal Indian River-Coastal Saint Lucie-
Coastal Martin-Mainland Northern Brevard-
Northern Brevard Barrier Islands-Mainland Southern Brevard-
Southern Brevard Barrier Islands-
120 AM EDT Tue Mar 17 2026

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

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents and a southward-flowing longshore
  current.

* WHERE...Coastal Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, Saint Lucie, and
  Martin Counties.

* WHEN...Through late tonight.

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

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away
from shore, which occur most often at low spots or breaks in the
sandbar and in the vicinity of structures such as jetties and
piers. Heed the advice of lifeguards, beach patrol flags and
signs.

Entering the surf is strongly discouraged. 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.

&&

$$
6 follow-up statements
434 
WHUS42 KMLB 180433
CFWMLB

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Melbourne FL
1233 AM EDT Wed Mar 18 2026

FLZ141-154-159-164-347-447-647-747-200700-
/O.EXT.KMLB.RP.S.0013.000000T0000Z-260320T0700Z/
Coastal Volusia-Coastal Indian River-Coastal Saint Lucie-
Coastal Martin-Mainland Northern Brevard-
Northern Brevard Barrier Islands-Mainland Southern Brevard-
Southern Brevard Barrier Islands-
1233 AM EDT Wed Mar 18 2026

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK NOW IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE THURSDAY
NIGHT...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Coastal Volusia, Indian River, Saint Lucie, Coastal
  Martin, and Brevard Counties.

* WHEN...Through late Thursday night.

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

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away
from shore, which occur most often at low spots or breaks in the
sandbar and in the vicinity of structures such as jetties and
piers. Heed the advice of lifeguards, beach patrol flags and
signs.

Entering the surf is strongly discouraged. 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.

&&

$$
958 
WHUS42 KMLB 190653
CFWMLB

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Melbourne FL
253 AM EDT Thu Mar 19 2026

FLZ141-154-159-164-347-447-647-747-200600-
/O.CON.KMLB.RP.S.0013.000000T0000Z-260320T0700Z/
Coastal Volusia-Coastal Indian River-Coastal Saint Lucie-
Coastal Martin-Mainland Northern Brevard-
Northern Brevard Barrier Islands-Mainland Southern Brevard-
Southern Brevard Barrier Islands-
253 AM EDT Thu Mar 19 2026

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

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents and a southward-flowing longshore 
  current.

* WHERE...Coastal Volusia, Indian River, Saint Lucie, Coastal
  Martin, and Brevard Counties.

* WHEN...Through late tonight.

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

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away
from shore, which occur most often at low spots or breaks in the
sandbar and in the vicinity of structures such as jetties and
piers. Heed the advice of lifeguards, beach patrol flags and
signs.

Entering the surf is strongly discouraged. 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.

&&

$$
753 
WHUS42 KMLB 191920
CFWMLB

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Melbourne FL
320 PM EDT Thu Mar 19 2026

FLZ141-154-159-164-347-447-647-747-210700-
/O.EXT.KMLB.RP.S.0013.000000T0000Z-260321T0700Z/
Coastal Volusia-Coastal Indian River-Coastal Saint Lucie-
Coastal Martin-Mainland Northern Brevard-
Northern Brevard Barrier Islands-Mainland Southern Brevard-
Southern Brevard Barrier Islands-
320 PM EDT Thu Mar 19 2026

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK NOW IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE FRIDAY
NIGHT...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Coastal Volusia, Coastal Indian River, Coastal Saint 
  Lucie, Coastal Martin, Mainland Northern Brevard, Northern 
  Brevard Barrier Islands, Mainland Southern Brevard and 
  Southern Brevard Barrier Islands Counties.

* WHEN...Through late Friday night.

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

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away
from shore, which occur most often at low spots or breaks in the
sandbar and in the vicinity of structures such as jetties and
piers. Heed the advice of lifeguards, beach patrol flags and
signs.

Entering the surf is strongly discouraged. 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.

&&

$$
618 
WHUS42 KMLB 200643
CFWMLB

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Melbourne FL
243 AM EDT Fri Mar 20 2026

FLZ141-154-159-164-347-447-647-747-210700-
/O.CON.KMLB.RP.S.0013.000000T0000Z-260321T0700Z/
Coastal Volusia-Coastal Indian River-Coastal Saint Lucie-
Coastal Martin-Mainland Northern Brevard-
Northern Brevard Barrier Islands-Mainland Southern Brevard-
Southern Brevard Barrier Islands-
243 AM EDT Fri Mar 20 2026

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

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents and rough surf.

* WHERE...Beaches of Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, Saint Lucie,
  and Martin Counties.

* WHEN...Through late tonight.

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

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away
from shore, which occur most often at low spots or breaks in the
sandbar and in the vicinity of structures such as jetties and
piers. Heed the advice of lifeguards, beach patrol flags and
signs.

Entering the surf is strongly discouraged. 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.

&&

$$
913 
WHUS42 KMLB 210623
CFWMLB

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Melbourne FL
223 AM EDT Sat Mar 21 2026

FLZ141-154-159-164-347-447-647-747-220700-
/O.EXT.KMLB.RP.S.0013.000000T0000Z-260323T0700Z/
Coastal Volusia-Coastal Indian River-Coastal Saint Lucie-
Coastal Martin-Mainland Northern Brevard-
Northern Brevard Barrier Islands-Mainland Southern Brevard-
Southern Brevard Barrier Islands-
223 AM EDT Sat Mar 21 2026

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK NOW IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE SUNDAY
NIGHT...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents and rough surf.

* WHERE...Beaches of Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, Saint Lucie,
  and Martin Counties.

* WHEN...Through late Sunday night.

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

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away
from shore, which occur most often at low spots or breaks in the
sandbar and in the vicinity of structures such as jetties and
piers. Heed the advice of lifeguards, beach patrol flags and
signs.

Entering the surf is strongly discouraged. 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.

&&

$$
399 
WHUS42 KMLB 220640
CFWMLB

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Melbourne FL
240 AM EDT Sun Mar 22 2026

FLZ141-154-159-164-347-447-647-747-230700-
/O.CON.KMLB.RP.S.0013.000000T0000Z-260323T0700Z/
Coastal Volusia-Coastal Indian River-Coastal Saint Lucie-
Coastal Martin-Mainland Northern Brevard-
Northern Brevard Barrier Islands-Mainland Southern Brevard-
Southern Brevard Barrier Islands-
240 AM EDT Sun Mar 22 2026

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

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Beaches of Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, Saint Lucie,
  and Martin Counties.

* WHEN...Through late tonight.

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

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away
from shore, which occur most often at low spots or breaks in the
sandbar and in the vicinity of structures such as jetties and
piers. Heed the advice of lifeguards, beach patrol flags and
signs.

Entering the surf is strongly discouraged. 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 Melbourne, FL issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 16, 9:11 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementMLBSaint Lucie19 min
Mar 16, 9:13 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningMLB62 min

Nearby

Rip Current Statements in Florida, 2026Every rip current statement in 2026

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.