Will seaweed blob hit destin?

Will seaweed blob hit destin? While the “big blob” of sargassum may be heading into the Gulf of Mexico, via currents, Fogg says it's unlikely to significantly impact the Destin-Fort Walton Beach area. “While our area will certainly see sargassum on our beaches, like every year, we do not expect the quantities to be overwhelming,” he said.

Will destin be affected by seaweed?

The geographical location of Destin is one of the primary reasons why it remains largely unaffected by the Seaweed Blob. Destin is located on the Emerald Coast, which stretches along the northwest coast of the Florida panhandle.

Will the seaweed blob hit Miami?

Scientists expect Miami Beach to become a hot spot later in the sargassum season, which runs from March through October. This year's sargassum bloom is shaping up to be one of the biggest ever recorded. Since 2011, a combination of human activity and climate change has created a string of unusually large seaweed blobs.

Will the seaweed blob affect the east coast of Florida?

The concern is the belt will leave large amounts of stinky sargassum seaweed on beaches in the Caribbean, Mexico and along the east coast of Florida. The brown seaweed, which can carry flesh-eating bacteria and make you sick, is known for its smell.

What time of year is the water clearest in Destin?

Summer is also the best time to visit Crab Island in Destin. Crab Island will have the most clear water days and comfortable swimming/wading temperatures than any other season. Summer is also when Crab Island will have vendors and tours operating daily.

What month is sargassum worse?

Sargassum season in the Mexican Caribbean typically runs from May through October, with July and August generally being the worst months for its arrival.

What parts of Florida will the seaweed hit?

In Florida, barrier islands like Miami Beach and West Palm Beach tend to get the worst of it because they jut out closer to the Gulf Stream. But Atlantic beaches in states to the north also could see seaweed.

What beaches will be affected by seaweed blob?

But already, sargassum beachings are increasing, with the southern regions of Hispaniola, Jamaica and Puerto Rico looking likely to be the most impacted. The Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt is the largest macroalgae bloom in the world, and this year's bloom is the largest recorded, spanning more than 5,000 miles.

What time of year is seaweed bad in Destin?

Florida's seaweed season typically runs from April until October, peaking in June and July. The seaweed comes in waves, depending on currents and wind direction. The seaweed itself is not harmful to humans, but decaying sargassum on beaches releases hydrogen sulfide that can impact people with breathing issues.

Is the 5000 blob of seaweed heading to Florida?

A 5,000-mile-wide blob of seaweed is headed for Florida, threatening tourism across the Caribbean. “This is an entirely new oceanographic phenomenon that is creating such a problem — really a catastrophic problem — for tourism in the Caribbean region where it piles up on beaches up to 5 or 6 feet deep,” Lapointe added.

Will Florida be hit with the big seaweed?

While the 2023 sargassum bloom isn't as large as originally expected, it will still be a major year for the algae and the lab expected it to continue increasing in the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico in March. It is expected to travel west from the Caribbean Sea and become a hazard on some beaches in Florida.

Is Destin water always clear?

For the most part, the water in Destin is crystal clear. However, storms in the Gulf of Mexico, or if June grass is present, then you will not experience the water as clear as it is at other times.

Which caribbean islands are not affected by sargassum 2023?

Is there a sargassum forecast for 2023?

Since 2011, 2023 still ranks in the top half of the worst sargassum seaweed seasons. With the latest data, USF researchers say in June, sargassum will likely decrease in the Gulf of Mexico, meaning beachgoers may not have such a smelly experience. The USF lab forecasts the decrease to continue through August.

Is sargassum bad in July?

Sargassum is at its worst between April and August, peaking in July and August, although this year saw the seaweed arrive early, with some beaches being hit heavily in March. What is this?