Coastal Bay Beaches: rip current risk and surf forecast

FloridaNear Lower Grand Lagoon, Bay CountyNWS zone FLZ112NWS Tallahassee

Rip current risk today: Moderate. Life-threatening rip currents are possible. Swim near a lifeguard, and follow the beach patrol and its flags.

Surf around 1 foot, water 86 degrees. Buoy PACF1, 5.9 mi out, measured 85 °F water. Sunset 6:42 PM.

Rip current risk: ModerateToday
Surf: Around 1 footForecast
Water: 86 degreesForecast
Sunset: 6:42 PMCDT

Rip current risk on the map

Today’s rip current risk in every surf zone the National Weather Service forecasts for over Coastal Bay Beaches. Open it for the live map, where it pans and zooms.

Open the live map with rip current risk

Map layer from NOAA National Weather Service surf zone forecasts. Boundaries from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet.

Alerts in force

No beach hazards statement, high surf advisory or other warning is in force for Coastal Bay Beaches. Those are the products a coastal office issues when the water turns dangerous. When one is issued it appears here and on the alerts page for this area.

Today and tomorrow

From the National Weather Service beach forecast, issued 1113 AM EDT, 9/20/2026.

Today Rest of today

Moderate rip current risk

Rip current risk: Moderate
Surf: Around 1 foot
Water temperature: 86 degrees
UV index: Very High
High temperature: In the upper 80s
Weather: Partly sunny until 2 PM, then sunny. A chance of showers and thunderstorms
Wind: North winds around 5 mph, becoming west in the afternoon

UV index 8 to 10. Unprotected skin burns quickly; minimize sun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tomorrow Monday

Moderate rip current risk

Rip current risk: Moderate
Surf: Around 1 foot
High temperature: In the upper 80s
Weather: Sunny. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms
Wind: Northeast winds around 5 mph, becoming southeast in the afternoon

The surf zone forecast, period by period

Coastal Bay. Issued 10:13 AM CDT on Sun, Sep 20 by the National Weather Service in Tallahassee.

Rest of today

Rip Current Risk: Moderate
Surf Height: Around 1 foot
UV Index: Very High
Water Temperature: 86 degrees
Weather: Partly sunny until 2 PM, then sunny. A chance of showers and thunderstorms
High Temperature: In the upper 80s
Winds: North winds around 5 mph, becoming west in the afternoon
Tides, Panama City: Low at 04:29 PM CDT
Sunrise: 7:29 AM
Sunset: 7:43 PM

Monday

Rip Current Risk: Moderate
Surf Height: Around 1 foot
Weather: Sunny. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms
High Temperature: In the upper 80s
Max Heat Index: Up to 100
Winds: Northeast winds around 5 mph, becoming southeast in the afternoon
Tides, Panama City: Low at 05:01 PM CDT
Sunrise: 7:30 AM
Sunset: 7:42 PM

Tuesday

Moderate rip current risk*. Surf height around 1 foot. Sunny. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 80s. East winds around 5 mph.

Wednesday

Moderate rip current risk*. Sunny. Highs in the upper 80s. East winds around 10 mph.

Thursday

Moderate rip current risk*. Sunny. Highs in the upper 80s. Northeast winds around 15 mph.

The office's notes on this forecast

Rip Current Risk Category * Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however, life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins, jetties, reefs, and piers. * Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the surf zone. * High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf zone.

** For lightning, waterspout, and UV definitions see: https://www.weather.gov/beach/tae

The product as issued

FZUS52 KTAE 201513
SRFTAE

Surf Zone Forecast
National Weather Service Tallahassee FL
1113 AM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026

.THE SURF ZONE FORECAST GENERAL OUTLOOK...

A moderate risk of rip currents continue today at all local beaches
with northeast winds and an afternoon seabreeze. Surf heights are 
forecast to stay below 2 ft.

Based on communication with area beach officials, the following flags
are flying at area beaches:

Walton........................Yellow
Bay...........................Yellow
State Park Gulf Beaches.......Yellow
West Facing Gulf Beaches......Yellow
South Facing Gulf Beaches.....Yellow
Franklin......................Yellow

FLZ108-202015-
South Walton-
Including the beaches of Sandestin, Santa Rosa Beach, 
and Turquoise Beach
1013 AM CDT Sun Sep 20 2026

.REST OF TODAY...
Rip Current Risk............Moderate. 
Surf Height.................Around 1 foot. 
UV Index**..................Very High. 
Water Temperature...........86 degrees. 
Weather.....................Partly sunny until 2 PM, then sunny. A 
                            chance of showers and thunderstorms. 
High Temperature............In the upper 80s. 
Winds.......................North winds around 5 mph, becoming west 
                            in the afternoon. 
Tides...
   Panama City..............Low at 04:29 PM CDT. 
Sunrise.....................7:31 AM. 
Sunset......................7:45 PM.

.MONDAY...
Rip Current Risk............Moderate. 
Surf Height.................Around 1 foot. 
Weather.....................Sunny. A slight chance of showers and 
                            thunderstorms. 
High Temperature............In the upper 80s. 
Winds.......................Northeast winds around 5 mph, becoming 
                            southeast in the afternoon. 
Tides...
   Panama City..............Low at 05:01 PM CDT. 
Sunrise.....................7:32 AM. 
Sunset......................7:44 PM.

.TUESDAY...Moderate rip current risk*. Surf height around 1 foot.
Sunny. Highs in the upper 80s. East winds around 5 mph. 
.WEDNESDAY...Moderate rip current risk*. Sunny. Highs in the upper
80s. East winds around 5 mph. 
.THURSDAY...Low rip current risk*. Sunny. Highs in the mid 80s.
Northeast winds around 15 mph.

&&

Rip Current Risk Category
* Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however,
life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins,
jetties, reefs, and piers.
* Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the
surf zone.
* High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf
zone.

** For lightning, waterspout, and UV definitions see:
https://www.weather.gov/beach/tae

$$

FLZ112-202015-
Coastal Bay-
Including the beaches of Panama City Beach and Magnolia Beach
1013 AM CDT Sun Sep 20 2026

.REST OF TODAY...
Rip Current Risk............Moderate. 
Surf Height.................Around 1 foot. 
UV Index**..................Very High. 
Water Temperature...........86 degrees. 
Weather.....................Partly sunny until 2 PM, then sunny. A 
                            chance of showers and thunderstorms. 
High Temperature............In the upper 80s. 
Winds.......................North winds around 5 mph, becoming west 
                            in the afternoon. 
Tides...
   Panama City..............Low at 04:29 PM CDT. 
Sunrise.....................7:29 AM. 
Sunset......................7:43 PM.

.MONDAY...
Rip Current Risk............Moderate. 
Surf Height.................Around 1 foot. 
Weather.....................Sunny. A slight chance of showers and 
                            thunderstorms. 
High Temperature............In the upper 80s. 
Max Heat Index..............Up to 100. 
Winds.......................Northeast winds around 5 mph, becoming 
                            southeast in the afternoon. 
Tides...
   Panama City..............Low at 05:01 PM CDT. 
Sunrise.....................7:30 AM. 
Sunset......................7:42 PM.

.TUESDAY...Moderate rip current risk*. Surf height around 1 foot.
Sunny. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the
upper 80s. East winds around 5 mph. 
.WEDNESDAY...Moderate rip current risk*. Sunny. Highs in the upper
80s. East winds around 10 mph. 
.THURSDAY...Moderate rip current risk*. Sunny. Highs in the upper
80s. Northeast winds around 15 mph.

&&

Rip Current Risk Category
* Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however,
life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins,
jetties, reefs, and piers.
* Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the
surf zone.
* High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf
zone.

** For lightning, waterspout, and UV definitions see:
https://www.weather.gov/beach/tae

$$

FLZ114-202015-
Coastal Gulf-
Including the beaches of Saint Joe Beach
1113 AM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026 /1013 AM CDT Sun Sep 20 2026/

.REST OF TODAY...
Rip Current Risk...
   W Facing Beaches.........Low. 
   S Facing Beaches.........Moderate. 
   State Park Beaches.......Moderate. 
Surf Height...
   W Facing Beaches.........1 foot or less. 
   S Facing Beaches.........Around 1 foot. 
   State Park Beaches.......Around 1 foot. 
UV Index**..................Very High. 
Water Temperature...........86 degrees. 
Weather.....................Mostly sunny. A chance of showers and 
                            thunderstorms. 
High Temperature............In the upper 80s. 
Winds.......................Northeast winds around 10 mph, becoming 
                            east in the afternoon. 
Tides...
None. 
Sunrise.....................7:28 AM. 
Sunset......................7:42 PM.

.MONDAY...
Rip Current Risk...
   W Facing Beaches.........Low. 
   S Facing Beaches.........Moderate. 
   State Park Beaches.......Moderate. 
Surf Height...
   W Facing Beaches.........1 foot or less. 
   S Facing Beaches.........1 foot or less. 
   State Park Beaches.......Around 1 foot. 
Weather.....................Mostly sunny. A chance of showers and 
                            thunderstorms. 
High Temperature............In the upper 80s. 
Winds.......................East winds around 10 mph.
Tides...
   Apalachicola.............Low at 07:11 AM EDT.
                            High at 11:02 AM EDT. 
Sunrise.....................7:28 AM. 
Sunset......................7:40 PM.

.TUESDAY...Moderate rip current risk*. Surf height around 1 foot.
Sunny. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid
80s. East winds around 10 mph. 
.WEDNESDAY...Moderate rip current risk*. Sunny. Highs in the upper
80s. Northeast winds around 10 mph. 
.THURSDAY...High rip current risk*. Sunny. A slight chance of showers
and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 80s. Northeast winds around
15 mph.

&&

Rip Current Risk Category
* Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however,
life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins,
jetties, reefs, and piers.
* Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the
surf zone.
* High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf
zone.

** For lightning, waterspout, and UV definitions see:
https://www.weather.gov/beach/tae

$$

FLZ115-202015-
Coastal Franklin-
Including the beaches of Apalachicola
1113 AM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026

.REST OF TODAY...
Rip Current Risk............Moderate. 
Surf Height.................Around 1 foot. 
UV Index**..................Very High. 
Water Temperature...........86 degrees. 
Weather.....................Mostly sunny. A chance of showers and 
                            thunderstorms. 
High Temperature............In the mid 80s. 
Winds.......................Northeast winds around 10 mph, becoming 
                            east in the afternoon. 
Tides...
None. 
Sunrise.....................7:26 AM. 
Sunset......................7:40 PM.

.MONDAY...
Rip Current Risk............Moderate. 
Surf Height.................Around 1 foot. 
Weather.....................Mostly sunny. A chance of showers and a 
                            slight chance of thunderstorms. 
High Temperature............In the mid 80s. 
Winds.......................East winds 5 to 10 mph.
Tides...
   Apalachicola.............Low at 07:11 AM EDT.
                            High at 11:02 AM EDT. 
Sunrise.....................7:27 AM. 
Sunset......................7:39 PM.

.TUESDAY...Moderate rip current risk*. Surf height around 1 foot.
Sunny. A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 80s.
East winds around 10 mph. 
.WEDNESDAY...Moderate rip current risk*. Sunny. A slight chance of
showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 80s. Northeast winds
around 10 mph. 
.THURSDAY...High rip current risk*. Sunny. Highs in the mid 80s.
Northeast winds around 15 mph.

&&

Rip Current Risk Category
* Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however,
life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins,
jetties, reefs, and piers.
* Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the
surf zone.
* High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf
zone.

** For lightning, waterspout, and UV definitions see:
https://www.weather.gov/beach/tae


$$

The water now, measured

Buoy PACF1, 8729108 - Panama City, FL, 5.9 mi away, reported 10:00 AM.

Water temperature: 85 °F
Wind: 5 kt from the NE

From NOAA's National Data Buoy Center. Wave height is the significant height, the average of the highest third; the largest waves run half again as high. Offshore buoys read bigger than the surf at the beach.

Tides today

Channel entrance, 3.8 mi away. Feet above mean lower low water.

High tide4:41 AM1.7 ft
Low tide4:12 PM0.4 ft

Low tide often exposes the sandbars and channels that shape rip currents, and the risk can run higher for an hour or two either side of it. Full tide table for Channel entrance.

Sun and daylight

Sunrise today: 6:30 AM
Sunset today: 6:42 PM
Sunrise tomorrow: 6:31 AM
Sunset tomorrow: 6:41 PM

Times are Central Daylight Time. Lifeguards are off duty outside posted hours, and the rip current risk does not fall with the light.

Beaches in this forecast

Panama City Beach
Magnolia Beach

As the National Weather Service lists them in its surf zone forecast.

What this means

The three levels the National Weather Service issues, and what to do at each.

High	Life-threatening rip currents are likely. The surf zone is dangerous for swimmers of every level. Stay out of the water.
Moderate	Life-threatening rip currents are possible. Swim near a lifeguard, and follow the beach patrol and its flags.
Low	Life-threatening rip currents are not expected, but they can still form near groins, jetties, reefs and piers. Swim near a lifeguard.

If a rip current carries you out

Do not fight the current. It pulls you away from the beach, not under the water.
Stay calm and keep your head above water. Float or tread water until the pull eases.
Swim parallel to the beach, along the shore, until you are out of the current, then angle in toward the beach.
If you cannot escape, face the shore, wave your arms and call for help.
If someone else is caught, do not go in after them. Get a lifeguard, call 911, and throw them something that floats.

Thunderstorms and lightning

Today's forecast mentions thunderstorms: Partly sunny until 2 PM, then sunny. A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Water and open sand leave you the tallest thing around. When thunder roars, go indoors: leave the water and the beach for a building or a hard-topped vehicle, and wait 30 minutes after the last thunder before going back.

A rip current is a narrow stream of water flowing away from the beach, through the surf and past the breakers. It pulls swimmers out, not under. Rip current and lightning safety guidance from the National Weather Service.

Nearby

The stretches of shore the National Weather Service forecasts on either side of this one.

More for this place

Sources

Rip current risk, surf, water temperature and UV from the National Weather Service surf zone forecast and beach forecast, office TAE, issued 1113 AM EDT, 9/20/2026. Original at NWS. Waves and water temperature measured by NOAA's National Data Buoy Center. Tides from NOAA CO-OPS. Alerts from the National Weather Service for zone FLZ112.