Boaters off the Palm Beach County coast got an unwelcome jolt Monday when the National Weather Service’s Miami office flagged a line of dangerous thunderstorms charging over the Gulf Stream. Forecasters issued a Special Marine Warning for waters from Jupiter Inlet to Deerfield Beach, extending 20 nautical miles offshore, as radar lit up with storms capable of sudden strong gusts and hail that could swamp small vessels. Local marinas and operators were urged to prep their docks and consider hustling boats into safe harbor until the weather calmed down.
In a late afternoon post, the National Weather Service’s Miami account warned that coastal waters from Jupiter Inlet to Deerfield Beach, out 20 nautical miles, were under a Special Marine Warning and advised mariners to seek safe harbor. The post added that pea-sized hail could tag along with the storms, according to NWS Miami.
Official Special Marine Warning
At 5:39 p.m. EDT, the Miami forecast office followed up the social media alert with a formal Special Marine Warning covering the same nearshore and offshore zones, in effect until 6:45 p.m. EDT. The bulletin cited a severe thunderstorm about 14 nautical miles east of Palm Beach Shores moving northeast and warned of wind gusts of 34 knots or greater along with large hail. The product urged boaters to “Move to safe harbor until hazardous weather passes,” according to NWS Miami.
What The Warning Means For Boaters
Gusts over 34 knots, coupled with sudden hail or possible waterspouts, can quickly capsize or damage small craft, so routine guidance from ports and the Coast Guard is for pleasure boaters to get under shelter well ahead of the worst of it. The U.S. Coast Guard stresses that recreational vessels should “seek safe harbor” and keep an ear on VHF channel 16 for fresh updates, per the U.S. Coast Guard.
Areas Impacted And Latest Forecast
The Special Marine Warning covered the stretch of coast that includes Jupiter Island, Jupiter, Juno Beach, North Palm Beach, Palm Beach Shores and Deerfield Beach, with the formal bulletin specifically calling out Riviera Beach as impacted. The Miami marine forecast for AMZ650 also carried a Small Craft Advisory, with seas building to 4 to 6 feet and gusty onshore winds, according to the NWS Miami…