Update AFD Area Forecast Discussion — Wed Apr 8, 2026 1:39 PM

AFDMOB

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Mobile AL
1234 PM CDT Wed Apr 8 2026

...New AVIATION...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Issued at 1231 PM CDT Wed Apr 8 2026

 - HIGH rip current risk for coastal Alabama and northwest Florida
   beaches through Friday night. High surf with 4-6ft breakers
   are likely through Thursday.

 - Strong marine winds and high seas along with gusts to gale-
   force over the offshore waters continue until diminishing on
   Thursday.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 1129 AM CDT Wed Apr 8 2026

A strong surface ridge over the southeastern to Mid Atlantic
states begins to weaken later in the week resulting in an easterly
to northeasterly surface flow over the forecast area gradually
transitioning to a southeasterly flow this weekend. A shortwave
trof currently oriented near/along the Sabine River valley
continues across the forecast area tonight with a series of lesser
shortwaves meanwhile progressing mainly across the marine area.
These features look to be sufficient to allow for some isolated
showers to develop mainly over the western Florida panhandle and
coastal Alabama late this afternoon into the evening hours. Dry
conditions are otherwise expected through Tuesday as an initially
broad upper ridge builds into the region, then shifts off to the
east ahead of an upper trof advancing across the Plains. Deep
layer moisture improves along and west of I-65 on Wednesday which
will allow for slight chance to chance pops to return to this
portion.

A High Surf Advisory remains in effect for the Alabama and western
Florida panhandle beaches through Thursday for surf heights of 4-6
feet. A High Risk of rip currents is in effect through Friday
night. Highs today will be in the mid to upper 70s then warm to
the lower to mid 80s for Saturday through Wednesday, with a bit
cooler temps near the coast. Lows tonight and Friday night range
from the lower 50s well inland to the lower 60s at the coast, then
gradually trend to milder values from around 60 to the mid 60s by
Tuesday night. /29

&&

.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 1231 PM CDT Wed Apr 8 2026

VFR flight category is expected to prevail throughout the rest of
today into tonight and the day Thursday. Winds remain generally
out of the east at 10 to 15 knots during the day gusting to near
20 knots. Tonight, winds relax somewhat inland but remain elevated
near the coast at the TAF sites. Winds return areawide to around
10 to 15 knots gusting to 20 knots at times Thursday. MM/25

&&

.MARINE...
Issued at 1129 AM CDT Wed Apr 8 2026

Moderate to very strong easterly winds diminish on Thursday. A
Gale Warning continues for the 20-60 nm portion until 7 am
Thursday with a Small Craft Advisory otherwise in effect for the
near shore waters, including the MS Sound and Southern Mobile Bay
for a portion of the time. A Small Craft Advisory will be in
effect for the open Gulf waters 7 am to 1 pm Thursday, then for
the 20-60 nm portion until 7 pm Thursday before ending. A light
to moderate easterly flow, occasionally stronger well offshore,
follows for Thursday night into Friday, then transitions to a
southeasterly flow for Saturday into Sunday. /29

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Mobile      56  78  57  81 /  10   0   0   0
Pensacola   58  77  61  77 /  20   0   0   0
Destin      57  76  59  76 /  20   0   0   0
Evergreen   49  78  50  81 /  20   0   0   0
Waynesboro  54  78  53  81 /   0   0   0   0
Camden      51  77  51  79 /  20   0   0   0
Crestview   51  79  51  82 /  20   0   0   0

&&

.MOB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AL...High Rip Current Risk through late Thursday night for ALZ265-266.

     High Surf Advisory until 1 AM CDT Friday for ALZ265-266.

FL...High Rip Current Risk through late Thursday night for FLZ202-204-
     206.

     High Surf Advisory until 1 AM CDT Friday for FLZ202-204-206.

MS...None.
GM...Small Craft Advisory until 7 AM CDT Thursday for GMZ632.

     Small Craft Advisory until 1 PM CDT Thursday for GMZ650-655.

     Gale Warning until 7 AM CDT Thursday for GMZ670-675.

     Small Craft Advisory from 7 AM to 7 PM CDT Thursday for GMZ670-
     675.

&&

$$