- … HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON EDT /11 AM CDT/ TODAY TO 8 PM EDT /7 PM CDT/ THIS EVENING…
- THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TALLAHASSEE HAS ISSUED A HEAT ADVISORY… WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM NOON EDT /11 AM CDT/ TODAY TO 8 PM EDT /7 PM CDT/ THIS EVENING.
- * APPARENT TEMPERATURE… MAX HEAT INDICES OF 108 TO 112 DEGREES.
- * LOCATIONS… MUCH OF SOUTHWEST GEORGIA… SOUTHEAST ALABAMA… THE EASTERN FLORIDA PANHANDLE AND THE FLORIDA BIG BEND WEST OF PERRY.
- PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
- TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS IF YOU WORK OR SPEND TIME OUTSIDE. WHEN POSSIBLE… RESCHEDULE STRENUOUS ACTIVITIES TO EARLY MORNING OR EVENING. KNOW THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEAT STROKE. HEAT STROKE IS AN EMERGENCY… CALL 9 1 1. WEAR LIGHT WEIGHT AND LOOSE FITTING CLOTHING WHEN POSSIBLE AND DRINK PLENTY OF WATER. STAY OUT OF THE SUN IN AN AIR CONDITIONED ROOM IF POSSIBLE. A HEAT ADVISORY MEANS THAT HEAT INDICES OF 109 TO 113 DEGREES ARE EXPECTED.
Do NOT Call it Seaweed!
I am hereby banning the use of the word “seaweed” from comments on the June Grass Report.
Here’s why: I need to protect the integrity of the June Grass Report.
The whole reason I do the June Grass Report is to give folks an idea of what beach conditions are before they get to the beach. I do this because I would want somebody to do it for me. I do it for free in my spare time because I like the beach and I want other people to be able to enjoy it as much as I do.
Lately people have been posting a lot of comments about “seaweed”. This is a problem because if I see a report like this:
“There is a moderate amount of seaweed at the beach, I didn’t want to swim.”
I am going to think you are being overly sensitive about seaweed (usually sargassum, although we did have some other red kelp-like stuff this summer) and I am going to go to the beach anyway.
If I then find a moderate amount of June Grass is at the beach I am going to be unhappy. I personally will swim in June Grass up to about a 3 but much more than that I don’t go in unless I want to just cool off. I am not even remotely bothered by clumps of seaweed. Seaweed is not a deal-breaker for most people. June Grass is!
A lot of people read the June Grass Report and expect it to be honest. Saying seaweed when you mean June Grass is misleading.
Therefore, I will not longer allow comments or reports that use the word “seaweed”
UNLESS
You send me a photo at junegrasspics AT g mail DOT com and it really is seaweed and it really is gross enough that people may want to avoid that particular beach. It can happen.
OR
You write your comment in such a way that it is VERY clear that you are referring to problematic seaweed, NOT June Grass.
I manually approve each and every comment. I will no longer approve your comment if it says “seaweed”. I also don’t approve obnoxious comments. This isn’t usually a problem since the great and vast majority of the people who read the June Grass Report are very nice. However, if you post the same question 17 times within a four hour period I will not approve it. Comments come to my phone and I usually get them approved in a timely fashion, but sometimes I am indisposed.
I really really appreciate the readers who take the time to post beach conditions because that allows for much greater coverage on the June Grass Report and I would also like to thank people who take the time to submit photos of beach conditions. When I first moved here I always wished there was a way to know conditions before I dragged all my heavy SCUBA gear to the beach. With the help of everybody who posts beach reports my small wish has come true.
Ironically, I haven’t actually used my SCUBA gear at the beach in years, but I still like to know if there is June Grass before I go!
June Grass is Still Gross on Okaloosa Island
Patricia from Houston says:
“Hello…
I took this picture on Thursday afternoon. Junegrass still here and still smelly. We are at Waterscape and its a shame this condition of beach. But seems to be just here..well we drove few miles down to Henderson Beach in Destin and waters fine. Just school of small minnows. .but they are harmless. Its a State Park you pay $6 for day! ”
On that note, I have said it before but I’ll say it again:
ENTRY (and parking and tram) AT TOPSAIL HILL PRESERVE STATE PARK IS FREE THIS SUMMER.
I’m not sure what the June Grass is like at Topsail currently. Since I am very fair-skinned and not Southern I don’t go to the beach when we have heat warnings. Lately if we aren’t having a heat warning we seem to be having a thunderstorm. Thunderstorms on FL beaches aren’t something to trifle with. Anyway hopefully I’ll have a report soon.
I am considering disallowing comments that do not differentiate between seaweed and June grass. Yes, seaweed can also be smelly and gross but it is rarely as problematic as the June grass. Please look at the FAQ before posting beach reports or questions. There is a photo showing the difference right at the top of the page, it will take you two seconds. Please be specific about the beach conditions otherwise it is misleading. I will usually swim if there is seaweed but I don’t if there is much June grass and I think many others are the same. If the seaweed (not June grass) IS that bad I need you to send pics and locations because that is really weird!
Thanks for your reports and photos, please keep them coming!
Okaloosa Island
Jen says:”This pic taken today in front of Water’s Edge condos on Okaloosa Island. There is some grass and weed in the water but it is minimal and avoidable.”
Heat Advisory for South Walton, FL
Issued by The National Weather ServiceTallahassee, FL
Sat, Jul 18, 2:21 am CDT
THPSP
The June grass is being difficult: some areas are nearly clear, maybe a 2, while others are concentrated at about a 5. You can get away from it and it is still the dead and dying June grass.
Mexico Beach
Jamey reports from Mexico Beach:
“Water is much more clear today , haven’t seen any June grass since we arrived a week ago. I have been very pleased with not having to deal with it.”
THPSP
The bad news is there is a June grass in the water. Areas of 2-3 with isolated accumulations up to about a 4 on the Grossness Index. The good news is that it all appears to be old dead/dying June grass. It isn’t nearly as gross as the fresh green slimy stuff. I’m hoping it will go away soon.
Mexico Beach
Jamey sent this report & pic:
“No grass since I have been here July 2nd. Water had been somewhat stirred up though.”
The June Grass Report 