Alert archive / Florida / Rip Current Statements in 2026

Rip Current Statement 23, NWS Tallahassee, FL

March 31, 20264 counties in Florida

NWS Tallahassee, FL issued this rip current statement at Mar 31, 2026, 2:57 AM CDT for 4 counties in Florida. It took effect at Mar 31, 2026, 10:17 AM CDT. It was in force for 6 days.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Mar 31, 2026, 2:57 AM CDT (07:57 UTC)
In effect from
Mar 31, 2026, 10:17 AM CDT
Expired
Apr 6, 2026, 4:00 AM CDT
In force
6 days
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 07:56 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

Birmingham, AL (KBMX), launched 00:00Z, 8.0 hours before the alert went out and 360 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, Birmingham, AL at 00:00Z on 2026-03-31Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 110 joules per kilogram.LCLEL10008507005003002001001 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, Birmingham, AL at 00:00Z on 2026-03-31The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 2 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 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
110 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-8 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1265 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
19 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
2 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
106 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
-0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

658 
WHUS42 KTAE 310757
CFWTAE

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
357 AM EDT Tue Mar 31 2026

FLZ108-112-114-010800-
/O.NEW.KTAE.RP.S.0023.260401T0600Z-260403T0600Z/
South Walton-Coastal Bay-Coastal Gulf-
357 AM EDT Tue Mar 31 2026 /257 AM CDT Tue Mar 31 2026/

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

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents expected.

* WHERE...Walton, Bay, and South-facing Gulf County Beaches.

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

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

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A prolonged period of high rip current risk
  is expected Wednesday through this weekend. Despite the warm and
  sunny weather, the surf will be dangerous for all levels of
  swimmers, especially visitors.

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.

&&

$$
8 follow-up statements
241 
WHUS42 KTAE 311517
CFWTAE

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
1117 AM EDT Tue Mar 31 2026

FLZ108-114-312330-
/O.EXT.KTAE.RP.S.0023.260331T1517Z-260403T0600Z/
South Walton-Coastal Gulf-
1117 AM EDT Tue Mar 31 2026 /1017 AM CDT Tue Mar 31 2026/

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

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents expected.

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

* WHEN...Through late Thursday 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.

&&

$$

FLZ112-312330-
/O.CON.KTAE.RP.S.0023.260401T0600Z-260403T0600Z/
Coastal Bay-
1017 AM CDT Tue Mar 31 2026

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

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents expected.

* WHERE...Bay County Beaches.

* WHEN...From late tonight through late Thursday 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.

&&

$$
165 
WHUS42 KTAE 010746
CFWTAE

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
346 AM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026

FLZ115-020815-
/O.EXA.KTAE.RP.S.0023.000000T0000Z-260403T0600Z/
Coastal Franklin-
346 AM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026

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

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Franklin County Beaches.

* WHEN...Through late Thursday 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.

&&

$$

FLZ108-112-114-020815-
/O.CON.KTAE.RP.S.0023.000000T0000Z-260403T0600Z/
South Walton-Coastal Bay-Coastal Gulf-
346 AM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026 /246 AM CDT Wed Apr 1 2026/

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

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Walton, Bay, and South-facing Gulf County Beaches.

* WHEN...Through late Thursday 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.

&&

$$
824 
WHUS42 KTAE 020742
CFWTAE

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
342 AM EDT Thu Apr 2 2026

FLZ108-112-114-115-030745-
/O.EXT.KTAE.RP.S.0023.000000T0000Z-260405T0600Z/
South Walton-Coastal Bay-Coastal Gulf-Coastal Franklin-
342 AM EDT Thu Apr 2 2026 /242 AM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026/

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

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Walton, Bay, South-facing Gulf, and Franklin County 
  Beaches.

* WHEN...Through late Saturday 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.

&&

$$
571 
WHUS42 KTAE 030726
CFWTAE

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
326 AM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026

FLZ108-112-114-115-040730-
/O.CON.KTAE.RP.S.0023.000000T0000Z-260405T0600Z/
South Walton-Coastal Bay-Coastal Gulf-Coastal Franklin-
326 AM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026 /226 AM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026/

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

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Walton, Bay, South-facing Gulf, and Franklin County 
  Beaches.

* WHEN...Through late Saturday 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.

&&

$$
374 
WHUS42 KTAE 040522
CFWTAE

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
122 AM EDT Sat Apr 4 2026

FLZ108-112-114-115-050600-
/O.CON.KTAE.RP.S.0023.000000T0000Z-260405T0600Z/
South Walton-Coastal Bay-Coastal Gulf-Coastal Franklin-
122 AM EDT Sat Apr 4 2026 /1222 AM CDT Sat Apr 4 2026/

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

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Walton, Bay, South-facing Gulf, and Franklin County 
  Beaches.

* WHEN...Through late Saturday 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.

&&

$$
018 
WHUS42 KTAE 041924
CFWTAE

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
324 PM EDT Sat Apr 4 2026

FLZ108-112-114-115-050800-
/O.EXT.KTAE.RP.S.0023.000000T0000Z-260406T1500Z/
South Walton-Coastal Bay-Coastal Gulf-Coastal Franklin-
324 PM EDT Sat Apr 4 2026 /224 PM CDT Sat Apr 4 2026/

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

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Walton, Bay, South-facing Gulf, and Franklin County 
  Beaches.

* WHEN...Through Monday morning.

* 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.

&&

$$
943 
WHUS42 KTAE 050534
CFWTAE

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
134 AM EDT Sun Apr 5 2026

FLZ108-112-114-115-060900-
/O.EXT.KTAE.RP.S.0023.000000T0000Z-260406T0900Z/
South Walton-Coastal Bay-Coastal Gulf-Coastal Franklin-
134 AM EDT Sun Apr 5 2026 /1234 AM CDT Sun Apr 5 2026/

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

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Walton, Bay, 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.

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.

&&

$$
768 
WHUS42 KTAE 051514
CFWTAE

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
1114 AM EDT Sun Apr 5 2026

FLZ114-051615-
/O.CAN.KTAE.RP.S.0023.000000T0000Z-260406T0900Z/
Coastal Gulf-
1114 AM EDT Sun Apr 5 2026 /1014 AM CDT Sun Apr 5 2026/

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK IS CANCELLED...

All Gulf County beaches are flying yellow flags today, and a
moderate rip current risk is forecast.

$$

FLZ108-112-115-052315-
/O.CON.KTAE.RP.S.0023.000000T0000Z-260406T0900Z/
South Walton-Coastal Bay-Coastal Franklin-
1114 AM EDT Sun Apr 5 2026 /1014 AM CDT Sun Apr 5 2026/

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

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Walton, Bay, and Franklin 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.

&&

$$

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.