July and August are the busiest months (school’s out!) and the hottest. Temps are usually in the 90s and humidity is maxed out. In the water or indoors are sometimes the only comfortable spot. Though warm/hot Gulf breezes provide some relief. The 4th of July gets crazier every year. Fireworks, though prohibited, light up the night sky along the beaches in each direction. Most dogs will be terrified. Drinking and fireworks shouldn’t mix but always do.
The very warm water temps can cause red tide to appear. A red tide is a higher-than-normal concentration of a microscopic alga. This organism produces a toxin that can affect the central nervous system of fish. At high concentrations (called a bloom), the organisms may discolor the water. However, red tides are not always red. They can appear greenish, brownish and even purple in color. Or, the water can remain its normal color. Blooms are most likely to occur from August through November although there have been red tides in every month of the year. Swimming in the Gulf with high concentrations of red tide will cause cold or even flu-like symptoms that can last hours or days. A strong red tide and an onshore breeze will cause breathing difficulties, soar throat, sneezing, and coughing several hundred yards inland. A severe red tide will litter the beaches and bayside with dead fish. Learn more at
www.SoWal.com/red-tide.
