Marine Weather and Tide Forecast for Spanish Fort, AL

DISCUSSION
Issued at 1234 AM CDT Sun Apr 19 2026

Now through Saturday...

Through Tuesday, a deep upper trough moving over the northern Conus shifts an upper ridge over the Gulf southwestward through the weekend, with a cold front crossing the forecast area tonight into early Sunday morning in response. Precipitable h20 levels have risen around 1.6" as the front passes tonight into Sunday.
Enough instability is present for a few thunderstorms to mix in, though no strong storms are expected. Rainfall amounts are expected to be highest west of the Alabama River as isentropic upglide created rainfall follows the frontal passage. Even so, no drastic changes to drought conditions over the forecast area are expected. By Monday night, the upper trough has shifted to off the East Coast. Temperatures through this period rise from around 70 today to the 79 to 84 degree range by Tuesday. Low temperatures rise from the mid 40s to around 50 Sunday night to the mid 50s to around 60 by Tuesday night.

Wednesday through Saturday, an upper ridge builds north over the Plains, then shifts east through the latter half of the week. An upper level shortwave trough passes over the Southeast ahead of the ridge mid week, but with marginal moisture return as onshore flow returns Tuesday, PoPs remain low. Temperatures quickly rise back to above seasonal norms by the end of the week.

Onshore flow shifts to offshore Sunday, keeping the Rip Risk low into the coming week. The return of onshore flow mid week will bring back increased swell to area beaches and a rise in the Rip Current risk to Moderate to High the latter half of the week. /16

AVIATION
(06Z TAFS)
Issued at 1234 AM CDT Sun Apr 19 2026

A cold front currently moving southeast across the area will move off the coast by daybreak. Surface winds will shift northwesterly and then northerly in the wake of the front with sustained winds around 15 knots gusting to around 25 knots. Ceilings will lower to mostly MVFR levels along and behind the front. Scattered to numerous light showers with an occasional brief moderate shower and an isolated thunderstorm will move eastward through the area overnight into Sunday. Local drops to IFR ceilings and MVFR visibilities are possible with the moderate showers. Any convection is expected to exit our area by mid morning. /22

MARINE
Issued at 310 AM CDT Sun Apr 19 2026

A Small Craft Advisory remains in effect this morning for all marine zones in the wake of a strong cold front passing through the region. Strong northerly flow this morning will decrease to moderate across the bays and sounds by early this afternoon but remain strong over the Gulf through at least Monday morning. A light to moderate easterly flow Tuesday morning will shift to southeasterly in the afternoon through Thursday. /22

FIRE WEATHER
Issued at 1234 AM CDT Sun Apr 19 2026

Looking at fire weather concerns over the forecast area. With drought conditions, and dry fuels, a Moderate Risk of a Significant Fire Potential is in effect for Monday and Tuesday.
Also, a Fire Alert has been issued for Alabama. Most of the ingredients for a Red Flag Watch/Warning are present, but not all.
Will let day shift continue, with coordination with relevant fire weather folks on any WWAs needed. /16

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS
Mobile 71 50 80 52 / 40 0 0 0 Pensacola 71 54 79 57 / 30 0 0 0 Destin 73 54 78 59 / 30 0 0 0 Evergreen 70 44 80 46 / 30 0 0 0 Waynesboro 71 45 78 48 / 20 0 0 0 Camden 69 44 77 48 / 20 0 0 0 Crestview 73 45 80 48 / 30 0 0 0

MOB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
AL...None.
FL...None.
MS...None.
GM...Small Craft Advisory until 1 PM CDT this afternoon for GMZ630>636.

Small Craft Advisory until 5 PM CDT Monday for GMZ650-655-670- 675.