Melbourne Florida for 03-21-2025

Rough Seas and Changing Conditions: A Coastal Waters Forecast for East Central Florida

Boaters and maritime enthusiasts should brace for challenging conditions along the Atlantic coastal waters from Flagler Beach to Jupiter Inlet. The National Weather Service Melbourne has issued a Small Craft Advisory, warning of hazardous maritime environments through late today.

Currently, powerful northwest winds are generating significant wave heights, with seas ranging from 5 to 9 feet and occasional peaks up to 13 feet in offshore areas. The Gulf Stream presents particularly demanding conditions, with north-northwest winds reaching 20 to 25 knots and potential gusts up to 30 knots.

The west wall of the Gulf Stream has been precisely mapped, stretching from 11 nautical miles east of Saint Lucie Inlet to 43 nautical miles east of Ponce Inlet. These expansive waters promise a challenging maritime experience for sailors and offshore travelers.

As the day progresses, wind speeds are expected to diminish. By early afternoon, winds will decrease to 10 to 15 knots, with seas subsiding to more manageable 4 to 5 foot heights. The intracoastal waters will transition from rough to progressively calmer conditions.

Looking ahead, the weekend forecast suggests gradually improving boating conditions. Saturday will bring lighter winds and smaller waves, with southeast breezes around 5 knots and seas between 2 to 3 feet. Sunday continues this trend, maintaining relatively calm maritime conditions.

A weather system may introduce potential shower activity Monday night into Tuesday, bringing another mild frontal passage to the region. Sailors should continue monitoring updated maritime forecasts for the most current conditions.