textproduct: Mobile/Pensacola

KEY MESSAGES

Issued at 312 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026

- A HIGH risk of rip currents continues through this weekend for coastal Alabama and northwest Florida beaches.

- Next chance for meaningful rain will accompany a cold front this weekend, but it will not be a drought-busting rain.

- A few rounds of small craft advisory-level conditions (gusts near gale-force) are possible over the Gulf and local bays/sounds Sunday through much of next week.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 155 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026

Rain lies on the horizon as we transition to a wet weather pattern over the weekend. Upper ridging over the southeast U.S. pushes to the east as an upper shortwave over the northern High Plains, with an embedded cutoff low pressure area centered over the Black Hills, moves eastward and broadens over the eastern U.S. by Sunday morning. Winds aloft turn southwesterly, allowing for moisture to slowly advect back into the local area through Saturday night, with PWATs maximizing around 1.5-1.7 inches by Sunday morning. A surface low pressure area across the central plains will lift northeastward across the Midwest States and western Great Lakes through Saturday, and into southeast Canada Saturday night. An associated cold front approaching from the northwest Saturday evening will slowly pass through our area after midnight Saturday night through Sunday afternoon. This front will bring scattered to numerous showers and a chance of general thunderstorms from Saturday afternoon through Sunday afternoon. A few lingering showers and storms early Sunday evening over coastal Florida will then push out over the Gulf, but additional isolated showers are possible along the coast on Monday as an upper level impulse on the backside of the main trough moves east over the Deep South. General rainfall amounts are expected to range from 0.7 to one inch. Gusty northerly winds are likely in the wake of the front on Monday. This front will also usher in a cooler and drier airmass with high temperatures on Monday only ranging from 65-70 degrees. The coldest temperatures through the period will occur Monday night with lows ranging from 47 to 52 degrees inland, with middle 50s along the coast.

Patchy to areas of fog are possible late tonight and Saturday night, mainly east of the Tombigbee river. While we do not expect widespread dense fog at this time, patchy fog reducing visibilities to around 1 mile or less in some spots is possible. As always continue to use caution when driving with fog. /22

Beach Hazards... A HIGH risk of rip currents will likely continue through the weekend as a moderate onshore flow should persist. While the winds will not be strong, there should be enough of a fetch and increasingly strong tides falling during the afternoons to result in likely hazardous swimming conditions and rip currents. Be sure to continue to swim near lifeguards. BB-8

AVIATION

(18Z TAFS) Issued at 1253 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026

VFR to MVFR conditions prevail through the late afternoon. Periods of IFR or lower ceilings are expected to spread inland from the coast by early to mid evening. There is low to medium confidence in patchy to locally dense fog developing over the FL panhandle and south central AL after midnight. Ceilings improve to MVFR levels by mid morning for the interior, but IFR ceilings may persist near the coast through early Saturday afternoon. Light southeasterly flow will prevail through the period with the potential for increased gusts up to 15 to 20 kts by late morning Saturday. SS/JGC

MARINE

Issued at 312 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026

A Small Craft Advisory will likely be required beginning Sunday evening as a strong cold front passes through the region, with gusts to gale force possible. A moderate to strong offshore flow persists through Tuesday before winds gradually turn easterly by Tuesday afternoon. Expect a prolonged period of small craft advisory-level conditions all next week, especially for the Gulf waters. Prior to the arrival of the cold front, a light onshore flow will persist. /22

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

Mobile 67 83 65 75 / 0 40 70 80 Pensacola 67 79 67 75 / 0 30 30 80 Destin 66 77 67 75 / 0 20 20 70 Evergreen 62 85 62 77 / 0 40 50 90 Waynesboro 65 85 59 71 / 0 60 80 70 Camden 63 85 61 71 / 0 50 70 80 Crestview 62 85 62 79 / 0 30 20 80

MOB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

AL...High Rip Current Risk through Sunday evening for ALZ265-266.

FL...High Rip Current Risk through Sunday evening for FLZ202-204-206.

MS...None. GM...None.