Marine Weather and Tide Forecast for Cape Canaveral, FL

DISCUSSION
Issued at 300 AM EDT Sat Oct 17 2026

Today-Sunday...Cold front sweeps southward through the area today.
Northerly winds will increase behind the boundary becoming breezy to windy through the afternoon and into tonight. Winds speeds are forecast to pick up to around 15-20 mph across the interior and up to 20-25 mph at the coast by late afternoon and early evening, with gusts to 30-35 mph. Wind gusts may pick up a little higher along the coast into tonight, and will need to continue to monitor for the need of any Wind Advisories east of I-95. Better potential for gusts to 35-40 mph (potentially slightly higher along the coast), necessitating the need for a Wind Advisory will occur into Sunday as winds veer NE and pressure gradient tightens further between stalled front to the south, strong high across the eastern U.S. and developing low pressure offshore of the Mid-Atlantic coast.

The increasing N/NE flow will produce rough surf, large breaking waves, and a high risk of life-threatening rip currents at area beaches. Entering the dangerous surf is highly discouraged! Long period onshore swells will also likely contribute to moderate beach erosion through multiple high tide cycles this weekend into early next week. A High Risk for rip currents exists for area beaches today, with a High Surf Advisory going into effect later this evening and continuing through the weekend as seas continue to build.

Scattered to numerous showers and isolated storms will develop with the passing front today. Any storms will be capable of producing occasional to frequent lightning, gusty winds up to 40-45 mph and heavy downpours. Greatest rain chances (up to 80%) and potential for localized heavy rainfall will be along the southern Treasure Coast from this afternoon into tonight. As low level winds veer NE and tap into lingering higher moisture (PW values 2.0-2.3"), persistent onshore moving bands of showers and isolated storms may develop, mainly across St. Lucie and Martin counties. This can lead to quick totals of 2-4" and there exists a 1 in 10 chance of amounts in excess of 6" producing flash flooding in one or two spots, especially given how saturated soils are. A Slight Risk (Level 2 of 4) for excessive rainfall exists for the southern Treasure Coast today into tonight. As drier air builds in (PW values falling below 1.5"), threat for locally heavy rainfall will end into Sunday.
However, the stronger low level NE winds will continue to transport rounds of gusty scattered showers onshore into Sunday (highest chance for rain along the coast).

Temperatures cool behind the front, with highs ranging from the upper 70s near to north of Orlando and low to mid 80s south. Max temps on Sunday will range from the mid 70s to low 80s. Overnight lows will drop into the 60s for much of the area, but may remain in the 70s along the immediate coast due to the gusty onshore flow.

Monday-Friday...A tight pressure gradient continues across the area into next week, as strong area of high pressure continues across the eastern U.S. and strong low lingers off the Mid- Atlantic/Northeast U.S. coast. This will maintain a breezy to windy N/NE flow for much of the week, continuing rough surf, large breaking waves, a high risk of life-threatening rip currents and moderate beach erosion at area beaches through at least early this week. Rounds of isolated to scattered onshore moving showers remain in the forecast, with drier conditions generally forecast inland. Temperatures generally remain below normal, with highs in the upper 70s to low 80s and overnight lows in the 60s.

MARINE
Issued at 300 AM EDT Sat Oct 17 2026

Today-Sunday...Rapidly deteriorating boating conditions expected, becoming hazardous to dangerous across the coastal waters today.
N/NE winds quickly increase to 20-30 knots behind the front, with occasional to frequent gusts to gale force likely. A Gale Warning (where gusts to 35-40 knots are forecast to be more frequent)
remains in effect for the Volusia County waters starting at 11 AM this morning and expands to the Brevard waters at 2 PM this afternoon. The Gale Warning then continues into Sunday night as a strong NE breeze continues. Gale conditions don't look to make it as far south as the Treasure Coast waters, but occasional gusts to 35 knots can't be ruled out. A Small Craft Advisory remains in effect for this portion of the waters starting at 4 PM this afternoon and for now also continues through Sunday night, but additional expansions will be needed. Seas respond by rapidly building from 2-3 feet early this morning to 8-14 feet through tonight into Sunday.

Scattered to numerous showers and isolated storms are forecast across the coastal waters today as the front moves through. Highest coverage of this activity looks to occur across the Treasure Coast waters this afternoon into tonight where more persistent bands of showers and storms will be possible. Repeated rounds of gusty scattered showers pushing southwest across the waters and onshore will continue behind the front into Sunday, with a few storms still possible across the Treasure Coast waters.

Monday-Wednesday...A tight pressure gradient will continue across the area between strong high pressure to the N/NW, stalled front south of the area, and strong area of low pressure off the Mid- Atlantic coast. This will maintain hazardous boating conditions across the waters into early to middle portion of next week as a fresh to strong N/NE breeze between 20-30 knots persists. Large seas up to 10-14 feet continue into Monday and then only very slowly subside to 7-9 feet into Wednesday.

Rounds of gusty isolated to scattered showers pushing southwest across the waters and onshore will continue into next week.

AVIATION
(12Z TAFs)
Issued at 637 AM EDT Sat Oct 17 2026

Scattered showers and storms continue across the Atlantic this morning, with some of this activity brushing along the coast. Have maintained VCSH along all coastal terminals this morning for the Atlantic activity. A cold front will move through ECFL this morning and into early afternoon, bringing with it a return of showers and maybe even a lightning storm or two. Have maintained VCSH across the interior terminals starting at 12Z for the showers along the front, expanding southeastward across the terminals through the remainder of today, with MLB starting at 15Z, and SUA starting at 17Z. Light and variable winds this morning will become NNE and increase to 12-20 KT with gusts up to 26 KT possible at times (strongest gusts along the coast).
Persistent VCSH is anticipated across all terminals with lower confidence in VCTS, though it certainly cannot be ruled out. Model Confidence remains too low to include TEMPOs/PROB30s at this time, but will closely monitor and amend as necessary. Any lingering activity will diminish this evening, starting across the north first, with the Treasure Coast clearing around 03Z. NNE winds will remain elevated overnight, with gusts 20-28 KT possible, highest gusts along the coast. Winds will then become more NE after midnight, with speeds generally 15-20 KT with gusts 20-26KT.

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS
DAB 77 67 76 68 / 30 10 40 30 MCO 79 67 79 67 / 40 10 20 10 MLB 82 70 81 71 / 60 30 30 30 VRB 85 70 82 70 / 80 60 30 30 LEE 77 63 76 64 / 30 0 10 10 SFB 78 66 78 67 / 30 10 20 10 ORL 79 67 78 68 / 30 10 20 10 FPR 84 70 82 70 / 80 60 30 30

MLB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
FL...High Surf Advisory from 11 PM this evening to 4 AM EDT Tuesday for FLZ141-154-159-164-347-447-647-747.

AM...Gale Warning from 11 AM this morning to 2 AM EDT Monday for AMZ550-570.

Gale Warning from 2 PM this afternoon to 2 AM EDT Monday for AMZ552-572.

Small Craft Advisory from 4 PM this afternoon to 2 AM EDT Monday for AMZ555-575.