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DESTIN FLORIDA WEATHER

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​Santa Rosa Beach Weather

Vacationing on 30a?  Need a weather forecast for 30a or a weather forecast for Destin?  Planning your 30a Vacation Activities?

 

 Coastal weather is far different from INLAND weather.   Coastal weather conditions change rapidly.  Let me explain.

 

7 DAY WEATHER FORECAST

A 7 day  weather forecast will often have multiple images.   For example; clouds, rain, lightning and sunshine.   They will also have a temperature on or near those images.   

ARE THESE IMAGES ACCURATE?

YES AND NO.   The panhandle is known for random storms or showers.  The storm will be show on the 7 day forecast as a CLOUD, LIGHTENING BOLT, and/or RAIN.  However, that storm may only last 10-20 minutes.  However, it's often pictured over the top of a full day.  So, it's NOT an accurate depiction of the full day weather forecast.   Yes, it may rain or storm, but that storm may only last a portion of the day.  

 

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DESTIN FLORIDA RADAR

Destin Radar.   Are Destin Radar's or 30a Radar's accurate?

Again, Yes and No.   Just like weather can change pretty rapidly, the radars also can change rapidly.   Probably 70% of the storms approaching Destin dissolve before they arrive.  

THE DESTIN BUBBLE-

Ever heard of THE DESTIN BUBBLE?   Is the DESTIN BUBBLE A REAL THING?  Yes, it is.   Due to the layout of the land, wind currents in Destin change rapidly.   In many cases storms travel towards Destin, but break up as they approach the Destin area.   At least 50% of Destin storms either dissolve or go a different direction  

ABRUPT STORMS

Just as Destin is notorious for storms breaking up, we are also notorious for quick storms that show up out of the blue.   It's important to constantly check the Destin Radar frequently through the day.  We recommend at least 4-5 times.  

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Destin Florida Winds.  

Are winds important in regard to boating?  Absolutely!   High winds can make the current challenging to navigate and/or secure the boat at Crab Island.  

WIND SPEEDS DESTIN EXPLAINED

The Choctowatchee Bay extends from Point Washington in the Santa Rosa Beach area to Ft. Walton and beyond.    However, the same body of water extends all the way past Navarre Florida.   

25 MILES EAST TO WEST- The overall Bay is approximately 25 miles West to East. 

3-4 MILES NORTH TO SOUTH-The overall Choctowatchee Bay is approximately 3-4 Miles north to South

LET'S EXPLAIN WIND SPEEDS AND THEIR IMPACT ON WATER

WEST WINDS- Due to the EAST / WEST direction of the Bay, the west winds coming out of the Navarre area heading East can drive up the current significantly.   A 10-12 mph wind can produce 2-3 foot swells.  

EAST WINDS- East Winds can be challenging as well, but not as bad as WEST WINDS because they didn't have time to build up speed.  A 10-12 mph wind may produce 1-2 foot swells.  

NORTH WINDS- Due to the fact the bay is only 3-4 miles wide, the current on the North side of the bay during a 10-12 mph north wind may only have 3-5 inch swells, but the south side of the bay may have 6-12 inch swells. 

SOUTH WINDS- The reverse is true of South Winds.  Due to the fact that we are on the SOUTH side of the bay, south winds are by far the best.  South winds are buffeted by the land. So, a 10-12 mph wind may only have 3-4 inches of swell on the South side, but 6-12 inches on the North side.

SUMMARY

Due to the fact that we are on the South Side of the Bay and are located more to the East the following are water conditions based on speed. 

WEST

1-5 MPH- GOOD

5-10MPH- DECENT

10-12 MPH- ROUGH WATERS

12-15 MPH- POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS CONDITIONS

15-20 MPH- DANGEROUS CONDITIONS

EAST

1-5 MPH- GOOD

5-12 MPH- DECENT

12-15- ROUGH WATERS

15-18 POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS

18-20 - DANGEROUS

NORTH

1-7 MPH- GOOD

7-12- DECENT

12-15- ROUGH

15-18- POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS

18-20 DANGEROUS

SOUTH

1-7 MPH- GREAT

7-10- GOOD

10-12- DECENT

12-15- ROUGH

15-18- POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS

18-20 DANGEROUS

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WIND GUSTS

Wind Gusts are by nature QUICK and ABRUPT and not on the weather forecast.    Wind gusts can be dangerous. 

 

ANCHORED

The key is to make sure boat is securely anchored.   Use two anchors. 

NON ANCHORED

Get as close to land as possible while remaining at least 200 yards from shoreline. 

 

30a Pontoon Rental and 30a Yacht Charter 

offer the following.

Yacht Charters

Luxury Pontoon Rentals

Double Decker POntoon Rentals

Waverunner Rentals

Kayak Rentals

Paddle Board Rentals

Banana Boat Rides

Parasailing

Power Boat Rentals

Fishing Charters

Car Rentals 30a

Van Shuttle Services

Airport Shuttles 

 

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