With another hurricane barreling through the Gulf of Mexico, residents may be wondering how hurricane Milton will affect our coastlines.

According to David Eversole, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Mobile, “We’re on the dry side of the system that’s ushering dryer and cooler weather in our area.”

Eversole said that because the storm is located “pretty far away” from the Alabama Gulf Coast, not much wind damage is expected on land and a very low chance of rain. In the open-water marine areas, however, Eversole says that moderately strong wind will likely be felt.

“We do have a high surf advisory from 10 p.m. Wednesday to 7 p.m. Thursday for Alabama and the Western Panhandle,” Eversole said.

Eversole said there will likely be waves 4-6 ft. in height and with a “northeasterly wind coming over us” good surfing conditions will result from most of the waves generated by Milton in our area.

“We do have a high risk of rip currents in effect until Thursday evening,” Eversole said. “And red flags are up right now until Thursday.”

Always be aware of beach warning flags by checking local city websites. To find out what color flag is flying in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, residents can sign up for daily beach flag alerts by texting ALBEACHES to 888777.

Brian Dzwonkowski, physical oceanographer from the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, said that he does not think this hurricane will have much effect on marine life off the Alabama coast.

“I would expect minor impacts in our area,” Dzwonkowski said. “High surf and rip currents from long periods of swell that travels across the Gulf from the storm to our shores.”