Texas to Florida These Louisiana Favorite Beaches Have Advisories

If you are a resident of Louisiana you are probably looking at your calendar and wondering where did the summer go? Granted, it's felt like summer with the heat and humidity since late February but time certainly has flown by. Many Louisiana communities will be sending kids back to school in less than two weeks. Here's when the kids go back in many communities. 

For a lot of families that will mean one more trip to the beach before the school bells start ringing. And, if you're going to make that trip, you better be heading to where the map turns blue either this weekend or next weekend because you're about to run out of summertime.

Are There Any Advisories Posted For Florida or Alabama Beaches This Weekend?

The short answer is there do not appear to be any great concerns coming from the white sands of the Redneck Riviera. As you can see from the graphic provided by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Mobile, rip currents should not be a major concern for bathers from Panama City to Perdido Key.

The other issues that beachgoers in the Flora-Bama region will want to be aware of are excessive heat and extremely high UV ratings. So, don't forget your sunscreen, and don't forget to reapply that sunscreen after you swim or sweat. Another concern that swimmers will face is a recent influx of "sea lice". These tiny creatures are actually jellyfish larvae and they do sting. No, they're not life-threatening but some welts along the bikini line will put a damper on your trip, that's for sure.

Are There Any Advisories Posted for Mississippi Beaches This Weekend?

According to the Mississippi Beach Monitoring Program, there are no water contact advisories posted for the state's beaches as of now. There had been concerns earlier this summer about bacteria levels at some of the state's beaches but those concerns have been addressed and the water is safe for swimming.

Incidentally, the most popular and safest beach according to online surveys is the beach at Gulfport. It's a large beach, it's usually full of swimmers and sun worshipers, and the water and surrounding environment is cleaner than some of the other beaches along the Mississippi Coast. But that's certainly not your only choice.

Are There Any Advisories Posted for Louisiana Beaches This Weekend?

Yes, several beaches in Louisiana have advisories posted for the weekend. Among the beaches mentioned in the Louisiana Beach Monitor Report are Elmer's Island, Fontainebleau State Park, Grand Isle State Park #3, and Grand Isle State Park #4.

There are also advisories posted for Holly Beach sites #1 and #2 as well as Gulf Breeze Site #1. Little Florida Beach, Long (Dung) Beach, and Martin Beach have advisories posted for bathers as well.

All of these advisories have been posted over concerns about water quality at those beaches. If you'd like to see an interactive map of which Louisiana beaches are currently under restrictions, you can find that here.

Are There Any Advisories Posted for Texas Beaches This Weekend?

Yes, there are advisories posted for some of the Gulf Coast beaches of the Upper Texas Coast. The majority of the issues have to do with bacterial contamination in the water. The easiest way for you to see which beaches are affected is to use the interactive map provided by the State of Texas Beach Watch. You can see that map here.

For the most part, the beaches of the Bolivar Peninsula are in good shape. There are a few beaches on Galveston Island that have prompted a cautionary advisory but those beaches are still open. Most of the affected beaches are within the Galveston City Limits. The further south and west you go on the island the better the beach conditions appear to be.

What are the Biggest Concerns for Gulf Coast Beachgoers This Weekend?

The heat is the primary concern for travelers who are heading to Florida, Alabama, or Mississippi. The heat will be an issue in parts of Louisiana but as you head down the Texas Coast temperatures are more in the seasonal realm. In other words, great for the beach.

Sea Lice would be another concern for swimmers. There have been reports of them in Florida and Alabama but this is the season for them and you could find yourself scratching an itch because of them no matter which beach you go to.

Contaminated Water/High Fecal Bacteria Counts will be a concern at some Louisiana beaches and some of the beaches of the Upper Texas Coast this weekend.