Heat Advisories, High Surf Warnings Hit Florida and Southeast Georgia
Heat index values up to 110 degrees are expected across Florida and southeast Georgia Thursday, while Panhandle beaches face dangerous surf and rip currents through the weekend.
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA — The National Weather Service issued multiple weather alerts across Florida and southeast Georgia on Thursday, warning residents of dangerous heat index values reaching up to 110 degrees and hazardous surf conditions along the Florida Panhandle coast.
Heat Advisories Cover Wide Swath of Florida
Two separate Heat Advisories are in effect through 7:00 PM EDT Thursday evening. The NWS Jacksonville office issued its advisory at 9:19 AM EDT, covering portions of northeast and northern Florida as well as southeast Georgia, while the NWS Melbourne office issued its advisory at 1:02 AM EDT for a broad stretch of central and east-central Florida.
The Melbourne advisory covers the following areas: Coastal Indian River, Coastal Martin, Coastal Saint Lucie, Coastal Volusia, Inland Indian River, Inland Martin, Inland Northern Brevard, Inland Saint Lucie, Inland Southern Brevard, Inland Volusia, Mainland Northern Brevard, Mainland Southern Brevard, Northern Brevard Barrier Islands, Northern Lake, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Southern Brevard Barrier Islands, and Southern Lake counties. That advisory runs from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT Thursday.
Both advisories warn that heat index values are expected to reach up to 110 degrees. Officials note that hot temperatures combined with high humidity may cause heat-related illnesses among residents and those spending time outdoors.
Dangerous Surf Conditions Along Panhandle Beaches
The NWS Tallahassee office issued a High Surf Advisory and High Rip Current Risk for Walton and Bay County Beaches. The High Surf Advisory, issued June 18 at 3:36 AM EDT, calls for large breaking waves of 3 to 6 feet in the surf zone and runs from 10:00 AM Thursday to 10:00 AM CDT Friday, June 19. The accompanying High Rip Current Risk remains in effect through late Sunday night.
A prior advisory issued June 17 at 3:59 PM EDT by the NWS Tallahassee office had warned of waves reaching 3 to 7 feet, with surf heights of 3 to 5 feet expected at Bay and Walton County beaches on Thursday and Friday. That advisory ran from 10:00 AM Thursday through 7:00 AM CDT Friday, June 19.
Forecasters warn that dangerous swimming and surfing conditions are expected, along with the possibility of localized beach erosion. According to the National Weather Service, rip currents can sweep even the strongest swimmers away from shore and into deeper water.
Safety Precautions Urged
Residents in the affected heat advisory zones are urged to limit outdoor activity during the hottest parts of the day, stay hydrated, and check on vulnerable neighbors and family members. Air-conditioned spaces provide the safest relief during peak afternoon temperatures.
Beachgoers at Walton and Bay County beaches are advised to stay out of the water while the High Surf Advisory and High Rip Current Risk remain active. The National Weather Service recommends that anyone caught in a rip current swim parallel to the shore rather than directly against the current.
All advisories and alerts were issued by the National Weather Service offices in Jacksonville, Melbourne, and Tallahassee, Florida.
