Winds and seas will gradually increase to cautionary and then advisory levels Tuesday into Wednesday as they veer to the south and southwest ahead of a strong cold front.

Winds will then remain elevated for a short time after the frontal passage Wednesday night before diminishing below headline criteria by Thursday afternoon.

Forecast as of 2:39 PM EST on January 28, 2013

Coastal Waters From Apalachicola To Destin Fl Out 20 Nm-
Waters From Apalachicola To Destin Fl From 20 To 60 Nm-

Tonight
Southeast wind around 15 knots. Seas 3 to 5 feet. Protected waters a moderate chop. A slight chance of showers after midnight.

Tuesday
Southeast wind around 15 knots. Seas 3 to 5 feet. Protected waters a moderate chop.

Tuesday Night
South wind around 20 knots increasing to 20 to 25 knots late. Seas 3 to 5 feet building to 5 to 7 feet after midnight. Protected waters choppy increasing to rough late. A chance of showers and thunderstorms...mainly after midnight.

Wednesday
Southwest wind 20 to 25 knots becoming west around 20 knots late in the afternoon. Seas 6 to 8 feet. Protected waters rough becoming choppy late in the afternoon. Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms. A few storms could be severe.

Wednesday Night
North wind 20 to 25 knots. Seas 6 to 8 feet...highest offshore. Protected waters rough. A chance of showers in the evening.

Thursday
North wind around 20 knots becoming 10 to 15 knots in the afternoon. Seas 6 to 8 feet subsiding to 3 to 5 feet in the afternoon. Protected waters choppy becoming a light to moderate chop in the afternoon.

Thursday Night
Northeast wind 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Protected waters a light to moderate chop.

Friday
Northeast wind 10 to 15 knots becoming north 5 to 10 knots in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Protected waters a light to moderate chop becoming smooth in the afternoon.

Friday Night
North wind 5 to 10 knots becoming northeast 10 to 15 knots after midnight. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Protected waters smooth increasing to a light to moderate chop after midnight.

Saturday
East wind 10 to 15 knots becoming 5 to 10 knots in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Protected waters a light to moderate chop becoming smooth in the afternoon.