textproduct: Mobile/Pensacola

KEY MESSAGES

Issued at 1254 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 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 potentially reaching gale-force) are possible over the Gulf and local bays/sounds Sunday through much of next week behind the cold front.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1250 AM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026

Rather strong high pressure over the central Atlantic will retrograde westward over the next 24 to 48 hours as several shortwave troughs move across the Central US. Moisture will continue to surge northward as dewpoints hover in the 60s into the weekend. T he upper ridge will nose in from the east today allowing for a dry Thursday and Friday as subsidence from the ridge should squash most showers. Cannot rule out a sprinkle or very isolated shower but overall the area should remain dry. Eventually by the weekend, the parade of upper troughs will be able to break down the high and push it back east allowing for a more significant rain chance to arrive by Sunday. A rather potent shortwave will progress across the Great Lakes driving a "cold" front into the deep south. Given the plentiful moisture in place, showers and storms will likely accompany the front as it progresses through our area on Sunday. Unfortunately, we are in the time of the year where fronts get hung up and weaken as they approach thus rain chances look to become drawn out on Sunday. The good news is that a good chunk of the area should see some help in the aforementioned drought conditions. By Sunday night, the front should push offshore giving way to a significantly drier and cooler week next week. Heck we might even see lows in the 40s as early spring makes one last ditch effort before summer kicks in.

Some patchy fog will be possible over the next couple of morning mainly along and east of I-65 where the influences of the upper ridge and moisture overlap the best. While we do not expect any dense fog at this time, there are enough signals to at least support some patchy fog reducing visibilities to around 1 mile or less in some spots. As always continue to use caution when driving with fog.

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 1254 PM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026

Predominant VFR conditions will prevail through the afternoon with southeasterly winds gusting to around 20 knots, decreasing to 5-10 knots by dusk. Late this evening into the overnight, there is medium to high confidence in IFR or lower ceilings developing over the area, with the exception of the immediate coast. Confidence in LIFR ceilings and patchy fog is low at this time, but greatest chances would be over the interior. Light southeasterly flow will persist through the remainder of the period. JGC/SS

MARINE

Issued at 1250 AM CDT Thu Apr 2 2026

Winds abruptly turn northerly through the afternoon and evening on Sunday behind a cold front. A moderate to strong offshore flow persists through Monday before winds gradually turn easterly on Tuesday. Expect a few rounds of small craft advisory-level conditions next week behind the front with gusts to gale force possible. 07/mb

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

Mobile 65 82 65 83 / 0 10 0 20 Pensacola 66 78 66 79 / 0 10 0 10 Destin 66 76 67 77 / 0 20 0 10 Evergreen 60 85 61 85 / 0 10 0 20 Waynesboro 63 85 64 85 / 0 10 0 50 Camden 61 84 62 85 / 0 10 0 30 Crestview 60 84 62 85 / 0 20 0 10

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.