# Surf Zone Forecast for Thursday, May 21st

Good morning everyone, and welcome to your Thursday surf zone forecast for the Florida Panhandle beaches. If you're thinking about heading out to the water today, listen up because conditions are shifting throughout the day and we've got some important safety information for you.

Let's start with South Walton, including the popular beaches of Santa Rosa Beach and Turquoise Beach. We're looking at moderate rip current risk this morning with surf heights around two feet. The water's a pleasant eighty-two degrees, so it'll feel great when you get in. The sky will be partly sunny with highs in the lower eighties and light southeast winds at five to ten miles per hour. However, here's the important part: conditions are going to intensify this afternoon. We're expecting surf heights to increase, which will likely bump the rip current risk higher, especially for Bay County, Gulf State Park, and Franklin County beaches. This is a heads up to be extra cautious if you're planning an afternoon visit.

Over at Coastal Bay around Panama City Beach and Magnolia Beach, we've already issued a high rip current risk alert that goes into effect at one PM this afternoon and continues through the evening. Even though surf heights will stay around two feet, life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf zone during that window. The water temperature here is eighty degrees, and we're expecting partly sunny skies with highs in the mid-eighties. Southeast winds will be five to ten miles per hour this morning, increasing to ten to fifteen by tomorrow. Very High UV index today, so don't forget that sunscreen.

Moving eastward to Coastal Gulf, including Saint Joe Beach and the state park beaches, we're seeing more variation depending on which way the beach faces. West-facing beaches have a moderate rip current risk with one-foot surf, while south-facing beaches and state park areas are showing high rip current risk with two-foot surf. A high rip current risk alert is in effect from two PM through this evening. The UV index out here is extreme, so definitely slather on that protection. Highs will reach the mid-eighties with mostly sunny skies.

Finally, out at Coastal Franklin around Apalachicola, we've got high rip current risk throughout the day with two-foot surf heights. The water's at eighty-one degrees and it's mostly sunny out there. Another high rip current alert is in effect from two PM through this evening. Highs in the lower eighties with light southeast winds around five miles per hour.

Looking ahead to the extended period, Friday brings moderate to high rip currents depending on location, with a chance of showers and thunderstorms developing. Saturday escalates to high rip current risk across the board with showers likely and thunderstorms possible. Sunday and Memorial Day both maintain high rip current risk with scattered showers and thunderstorms in the forecast.

The bottom line: if you're going in the water today, be rip current aware and watch out for that afternoon surge. Keep an eye on children and weak swimmers, and remember that even though surf heights are modest, the currents can be deadly. Stay safe out there, and enjoy your time at the beach.

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