Melbourne Florida for 01-24-2025

Rough Seas and Small Craft Advisories Dominate East Central Florida Coastal Waters

A potent low pressure system north of the Bahamas is creating challenging marine conditions along Florida's Atlantic coastal waters from Flagler Beach to Jupiter Inlet. The National Weather Service Melbourne has issued Small Craft Advisories through late tonight and Saturday afternoon for multiple offshore zones.

Mariners should expect strong northwesterly winds ranging from 15 to 25 knots today, generating substantial seas between 5 to 10 feet. Offshore areas will experience even more dramatic wave conditions, with seas potentially reaching up to 13 feet in some regions.

The Gulf Stream presents additional hazards, with winds of 20 to 25 knots and gusts approaching 30 knots. Its western wall is currently positioned between 13 and 49 nautical miles offshore, depending on specific locations from Ponce Inlet to Saint Lucie Inlet.

Wave patterns reveal complex maritime dynamics. Northeastern waves are averaging 6 to 8 feet at 8 to 10 second intervals, creating rough conditions for boating and maritime activities. Intracoastal waterways will experience choppy to rough conditions throughout the day.

Conditions are expected to gradually improve this weekend as high pressure moves into the Southeast United States. By Sunday, winds will diminish to around 10 knots and seas will calm to 3 to 4 feet, providing more favorable boating conditions.

Boaters and maritime enthusiasts are strongly advised to monitor updated forecasts and exercise extreme caution when considering offshore travel during this period of intense marine weather.