Alert archive / Florida / Rip Current Statements in 2026

Rip Current Statement 20, NWS Tallahassee, FL

March 28, 2026Franklin County, Gulf County, Walton County, Florida

NWS Tallahassee, FL issued this rip current statement at Mar 28, 2026, 4:29 AM EDT for Franklin County, Gulf County, Walton County, Florida. It was in force for 65 hr.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Mar 28, 2026, 4:29 AM EDT (08:29 UTC)
Expired
Mar 30, 2026, 9:00 PM EDT
In force
65 hr
Issued by
NWS Tallahassee, FL

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

The radar

The Eglin Afb radar (KEVX), 70 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 08:32 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

Jacksonville, FL (KJAX), launched 00:00Z, 8.5 hours before the alert went out and 359 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, Jacksonville, FL at 00:00Z on 2026-03-28Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1 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, Jacksonville, FL at 00:00Z on 2026-03-28The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 58 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 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
1 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
1927 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
12 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
58 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
90 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

778 
WHUS42 KTAE 280829
CFWTAE

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
429 AM EDT Sat Mar 28 2026

FLZ114-281630-
/O.NEW.KTAE.RP.S.0020.260328T0829Z-260330T0600Z/
Coastal Gulf-
429 AM EDT Sat Mar 28 2026 /329 AM CDT Sat Mar 28 2026/

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

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Gulf County Beaches.

* WHEN...Through late Sunday night.

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

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The rip current risk will be high along
  west-facing beaches today, then shifting to the south-facing
  beaches on Sunday.

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.

&&

$$

FLZ115-281630-
/O.NEW.KTAE.RP.S.0020.260329T0600Z-260330T0600Z/
Coastal Franklin-
429 AM EDT Sat Mar 28 2026

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH LATE
SUNDAY NIGHT...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents expected.

* WHERE...Franklin County Beaches.

* WHEN...From late tonight through late Sunday night.

* 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.

&&

$$
5 follow-up statements
584 
WHUS42 KTAE 281516
CFWTAE

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
1116 AM EDT Sat Mar 28 2026

FLZ114-291530-
/O.CON.KTAE.RP.S.0020.000000T0000Z-260330T0600Z/
Coastal Gulf-
1116 AM EDT Sat Mar 28 2026 /1016 AM CDT Sat Mar 28 2026/

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

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Gulf County Beaches.

* WHEN...Through late Sunday night.

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

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The rip current risk will be high along
  west-facing beaches today, then shifting to the south-facing
  beaches on Sunday.


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.

&&

$$

FLZ115-291530-
/O.CON.KTAE.RP.S.0020.260329T0600Z-260330T0600Z/
Coastal Franklin-
1116 AM EDT Sat Mar 28 2026

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT
THROUGH LATE SUNDAY NIGHT...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents expected.

* WHERE...Franklin County Beaches.

* WHEN...From late tonight through late Sunday night.

* 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.

&&

$$
875 
WHUS42 KTAE 290745
CFWTAE

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
345 AM EDT Sun Mar 29 2026

FLZ108-300600-
/O.EXA.KTAE.RP.S.0020.000000T0000Z-260330T0600Z/
South Walton-
245 AM CDT Sun Mar 29 2026

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

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Walton County Beaches.

* WHEN...Through late tonight.

* 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.

&&

$$

FLZ114-115-300600-
/O.CON.KTAE.RP.S.0020.000000T0000Z-260330T0600Z/
Coastal Gulf-Coastal Franklin-
345 AM EDT Sun Mar 29 2026 /245 AM CDT Sun Mar 29 2026/

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

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...South-facing Gulf and Franklin County Beaches.

* WHEN...Through late tonight.

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

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS....

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.

&&

$$
629 
WHUS42 KTAE 291845
CFWTAE

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
245 PM EDT Sun Mar 29 2026

FLZ115-300900-
/O.EXT.KTAE.RP.S.0020.000000T0000Z-260330T2200Z/
Coastal Franklin-
245 PM EDT Sun Mar 29 2026

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK NOW IN EFFECT THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Franklin County Beaches, including Saint George Island.

* WHEN...Through Monday afternoon.

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

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Surf heights will start to decrease on
  Monday afternoon, and rip current risk will diminish late in the
  day on Monday.

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.

&&

$$

FLZ108-114-300600-
/O.CON.KTAE.RP.S.0020.000000T0000Z-260330T0600Z/
South Walton-Coastal Gulf-
245 PM EDT Sun Mar 29 2026 /145 PM CDT Sun Mar 29 2026/

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM EDT /1 AM
CDT/ MONDAY...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Walton County and south-facing Gulf County Beaches.

* WHEN...Through late tonight.

* 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.

&&

$$
949 
WHUS42 KTAE 300757
CFWTAE

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
357 AM EDT Mon Mar 30 2026

FLZ114-310100-
/O.NEW.KTAE.RP.S.0021.260330T0757Z-260331T0100Z/
Coastal Gulf-
357 AM EDT Mon Mar 30 2026 /257 AM CDT Mon Mar 30 2026/

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

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...South-facing 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.

&&

$$

FLZ115-310100-
/O.EXT.KTAE.RP.S.0020.000000T0000Z-260331T0100Z/
Coastal Franklin-
357 AM EDT Mon Mar 30 2026

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

* 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.

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.

&&

$$
738 
WHUS42 KTAE 301600
CFWTAE

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
1200 PM EDT Mon Mar 30 2026

FLZ108-310100-
/O.NEW.KTAE.RP.S.0022.260330T1600Z-260331T0100Z/
South Walton-
1100 AM CDT Mon Mar 30 2026

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CDT THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Walton County Beaches.

* WHEN...Until 8 PM CDT 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.

&&

$$

FLZ114-310100-
/O.CON.KTAE.RP.S.0021.000000T0000Z-260331T0100Z/
Coastal Gulf-
1200 PM EDT Mon Mar 30 2026 /1100 AM CDT Mon Mar 30 2026/

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM EDT /8 PM
CDT/ THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...South-Facing Gulf County Beaches.

* WHEN...Until 9 PM EDT /8 PM CDT/ 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.

&&

$$

FLZ115-310100-
/O.CON.KTAE.RP.S.0020.000000T0000Z-260331T0100Z/
Coastal Franklin-
1200 PM EDT Mon Mar 30 2026

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Franklin County Beaches.

* WHEN...Until 9 PM EDT 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.

&&

$$

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.