The pressure gradient will tighten temporarily this morning behind a surface front...resulting in a northerly wind surge at cautionary levels for areas west of Apalachicola.

Otherwise...high pressure located west of the area is expected to keep winds offshore through the end of the week...except for this afternoon close to the shore line where a local sea breeze may turn the winds onshore.

Forecast as of 4:18 am EST on February 6, 2012

Small craft operators exercise caution this morning

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

Today
North wind 15 to 20 knots becoming northwest 5 to 10 knots in the afternoon...except becoming onshore near the coastline. Seas 2 to 3 feet nearshore and 3 to 4 feet further offshore this morning...diminishing to 1 to 2 feet nearshore and 2 to 3 feet further offshore this afternoon. Protected waters a moderate chop to choppy this morning decreasing to smooth to a light chop in the afternoon.

Tonight
Northwest wind 5 to 10 knots becoming north 10 to 15 knots in the late evening. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Protected waters smooth increasing to a light to moderate chop in the late evening.

Tuesday
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 decreasing to smooth to a light chop in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night
North wind 5 to 10 knots increasing to 10 to 15 knots late. Seas 1 to 2 feet increasing to 2 to 3 feet late. Protected waters smooth increasing to a light to moderate chop late.

Wednesday
North wind 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Protected waters a light to moderate chop.

Wednesday Night
Northeast wind 10 to 15 knots increasing to 15 to 20 knots after midnight. Seas 2 to 3 feet increasing to 3 to 4 feet after midnight...highest offshore. Protected waters a light to moderate chop increasing to choppy after midnight. A chance of rain.

Thursday
Northeast wind 15 to 20 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet nearshore and 3 to 5 feet further offshore. Protected waters choppy. A chance of rain.

Thursday Night
Northeast wind around 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet nearshore and 3 to 5 feet further offshore. Protected waters a moderate chop. A slight chance of rain.

Friday
Northeast wind around 15 knots becoming north around 10 knots in the afternoon. Seas 1 to 2 feet nearshore and 2 to 3 feet further offshore. Protected waters a moderate chop decreasing to a light chop in the afternoon. A slight chance of rain.