Friends of Padre

Via the National Park Service: Status update...the beach is RE-OPENED TO DRIVING as of this morning. That being said, conditions are not the best for driving, so use caution. Coastal flooding pushed up a lot of debris to the upper road and there is also much debris hidden by seaweed. It will be very slow going if you do not Buy Levitra want to damage vehicles. Finally, there is another system off the Yucatan that we are watching that has potential to force us to close once again. Stay tuned... Here's a photo of current conditions - it is LOW tide right now and the water is still pretty high, so the high tide this afternoon may be up to the dunes.

Via NPS As of this morning,the park's beaches are CLOSED TO DRIVING due to unsafe driving conditions. The disturbance in the Bay of Campeche is causing unusually high tides, bringing water and lots of seaweed up to the dune line. There is also a HIGH RISK of RIP CURRENTS. These conditions may continue through the weekend. We will post a notification when the beaches re-open.

Went to the 15 this morning. Weed OWNS the beach and the water. The only road is the high road and driving is good due to the rains. Strong NE-E winds the next few days will prevent the tide from dropping like expected so there may be no low road for some time. Weather forecast for the weekend does not look good as the water could go to the dunes due to the low pressure system in the southern gulf. Jeff

(Corpus Christi, Texas) - Padre Island National Seashore will conduct a Sobriety Checkpoint on Saturday, September 7, 2013 on Park Road 22 near the park's Entrance Station. The purpose of the checkpoint is to detect and apprehend alcohol and drug impaired drivers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has recognized impaired driving as one of the nation's most often committed and deadliest crimes. According to NHTSA there were 3399 traffic fatalities in the state of Texas in 2012, with 32 percent being alcohol/DUI related. In addition, NHTSA reports 50 percent of Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related traffic collision in his or her lifetime. Sobriety checkpoints are a proactive deterrent and are one of the most effective methods of reducing the amount of impaired drivers who pose a serious threat to innocent, unsuspecting motorists traveling our roadways. So far this year, Law Enforcement Park Rangers have charged 59 drivers for driving under the influence (DUI) and issued 169 citations for other alcohol and drug violations. This checkpoint will support the continued detection and deterrence of alcohol and/or drug impaired driving and will contribute to a safe park experience for all visitors.

Air Temp: 88 Water Temp: 88 Wind: 5-10 SE Waves: 1-2 ft Water Clarity: Clear except from the 5-18 it’s dirty just past the 1st bar. Weed: The length of the beach has new and old weed in the first gut. The farther south you go the less there is but, until you get to the 58 it’s thick. With the SE winds it should all start moving to the north and clearing south. There is new weed coming in offshore. If it wasn’t for the weed, fishing would be crazy good this weekend. Bait lines the beach from one end to the other. Mullet of all sizes fill the 1st and 2nd gut in places. Dusky Anchovies are getting hammered by birds and fish. Jacks were blowing up bait in the first and second gut from the pavement to the 40. Most were small but there are some monsters cruising the first bar. Lots of sharks in the first gut early in the upper 20’s. Mostly black tips but I did see 2 decent Bulls at the 28. Caught Reds and trout today. All on the southern end and sight casted. Reds are showing up in good numbers and they are fat. The weed has been coming ashore for a week now. There are a couple of sink holes starting to form between the 8 and 12. This could be a real issue in the coming weeks with all the weed washing in. Be careful driving at the water’s edge over the weed. I could make for a long day. Those looking to make a run to the jetty for the weekend, it’s already packed with people. Birding was fair today. 9,230 Black Terns, 310 Cattle Egrets, 21 Curlew, 2 Marbled Godwit, 2 Caracara, 1 Night Heron, and the normal birds of summer.

Tropical Depression Six Form in the Bay of Campeche Summary of 4 PM Information Location: 19.5 North, 95.5 West Maximum Sustained Winds: 35 mph Present Movement: West at 12 mph Minimum Central Pressure: 1006 MB / 29.71" Forecast: Tropical Depression Six has formed in the Bay of Campeche this afternoon. The depression is forecast to strengthen to a Tropical Storm (Fernand) later tonight, and will make landfall in the state of Veracruz, Mexico on Monday. The only direct impacts South Texas will experience from this tropical cyclone is an increase in dangerous rip currents along gulf beaches, and possibly water run-up to near the sand dunes during high tide Monday Night. South Texas Impacts: Wave Heights, Swell, and Tides: Wave heights offshore will increase to 4 to 6 feet Monday and Monday Night, with swell periods of 7 to 9 seconds. Tide levels during high tide at Bob Hall Pier have been running near 1.5 Feet MSL. There is a possibility long period swells may push tide levels to near 2 Feet MSL during high tide Monday Night, resulting in water run-up to near the dunes. Rip Currents: A moderate to possibly high risk for dangerous rip currents will occur Monday and Monday Night. The rip currents will be most frequent and strongest near the vicinity of structures such as jetties and piers, but can occur anywhere along gulf facing beaches of the barrier islands. Both the strength and frequency of these rip currents will result in surf that is potentially dangerous for all levels of swimmers. Rainfall: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, not directly associated with this tropical system, are expected across South Texas on Monday. Rainfall amounts between 1/2 and 1 inch are expected Monday, however due to the scattered nature in coverage some locations will receive less, and other locations possibly more.

Air Temp: 85 Water Temp: 85 Wind: 5-15 SE Waves: 2-3 ft Water Clarity: Clear the length of the beach. Weed: New weed coming in north of the 20, clear south. Driving: 2 wheel drive north of the 30. The low road north of the 20 is covered in weed and bumpy. South of the 30 there are spots where 4x4 is needed. With the constant cold up wellings this summer, it seems things are finally getting back to normal. The water is gin clear the length of the beach and bait is starting to move back in. Trout, reds, ladyfish and small jacks on artificial today. Birding was good today. 34 Curlew, 1 Cattle Egret, 4 Night Heron, 2 Marbled Godwit, 2 Black Skimmer, 1 White Tailed Hawk, 2 Caracara and the Black Terns were out in force with 16,790 and the regular birds of summer. Note: These reports are made possible by your donations. Friends of Padre appreciates your support.  If you would like to help fund these reports please click on the link below

Air Temp: 86 Water Temp: 87 Length of Beach Wind: 15 ESE Waves: 2-3 ft Water Clarity: Clear water from the pavement to the 35. 35 to the 59 is dirty to 3rd bar. Last mile is clear to jetty. Weed: No weed the length of the beach. Driving: Excellent at low tide. Some 4x4 needed south of the 30 at high tide. Very little bait in the water on the north end. Some dusky anchovies showed up from the 23-35 late in the day with birds pushing them to shore but no predators in the water. Did see 2 tarpon clear the water through a bait ball outside the 3rd bar at the 35. South of the 35 is a dead zone until just short of the jetties. No bait, no fish to be seen. It’s been that way since Saturday. Birding was okay today with 13 Curlew, 1 White-tailed Hawk, 1 Caracara, 2120 Black Terns, 11 Black Skimmers and the normal birds of summer. There was also a dead buck at the 36 at the water’s edge. I was reminded today, the speed limit on the beach is still 15 MPH and will remain so until after Labor Day weekend so watch your speed. Note: These reports are made possible by your donations. Friends of Padre appreciates your support.  If you would like to help fund these reports please click on the link below