textproduct: Mobile/Pensacola

KEY MESSAGES

Issued at 1225 AM 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 1225 AM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026

One more dry day on tap as the upper ridge over the western Atlantic stays locked in place today. With subsidence still in place and southerly winds around the western side of the ridge, today will be another warm and sticky one as gulf moisture continues to stream northward. With highs in the mid 80s and dewpoints in the upper 60s it will certainly feel closer to summer than spring.

By Saturday into Sunday, 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 Saturday night into 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

(06Z TAFS) Issued at 1225 AM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026

MVFR to IFR ceilings continue to settle into the area with the potential for LIFR ceilings by sunrise at the TAF sites. Some patchy fog may accompany the lower ceilings, predominantly east of I-65. Ceilings and visibility will quickly improve after daybreak, returning to VFR by mid-morning. Light southeasterly winds will persist overnight, becoming 5-10 knots by early afternoon at the coastal terminals . 07/mb

MARINE

Issued at 1225 AM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026

A light to moderate onshore flow prevails through Sunday afternoon. Winds quickly 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 nearing gale force possible. BB-8

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

Mobile 83 65 83 65 / 10 0 30 50 Pensacola 78 67 79 66 / 10 0 10 30 Destin 76 66 77 66 / 10 0 10 20 Evergreen 85 61 86 62 / 10 0 30 40 Waynesboro 85 64 85 60 / 10 0 50 70 Camden 84 62 85 61 / 10 0 40 60 Crestview 84 62 85 62 / 10 0 20 20

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.