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000
FXUS62 KKEY 121842
AFDKEY

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Key West FL
242 PM EDT Fri Apr 12 2024

...New DISCUSSION, MARINE, AVIATION...

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 242 PM EDT Fri Apr 12 2024

While most of the low level clouds that plagued the island chain
earlier have dissipated, a deck of lower to mid-level clouds are
moving from the southwest across the Lower Keys. Despite the
majority of the day being cloudy, temperatures have managed to
climb to near 80 degrees. Meanwhile, dew points have slowly
fallen into the lower 60s, which has made for quite a comfortable
afternoon. Winds have subsided as portions of the forecast area
are in the "shadow" of the Florida Peninsula. Winds are highest in
the Lower Keys since that area does not fall within the "shadow".
Along the Reef, marine wind observations range from 10 to 15
knots in the western waters to light and variable in the eastern
waters.

A benign, yet breezy, week of weather is on tap for the Florida
Keys. Drier air has started to filter in behind last night`s
front. This dry airmass will remain in place through at least the
middle of next week, squashing any chance of shower development.
High pressure currently centered over the ArkLaTex region will
slide eastward over the Gulf States during the course of the
weekend. Winds will quickly shift back to the east, but luckily we
will not lose the modified continental airmass that is forecast to
keep the Keys very comfortable this weekend. The aforementioned
high will begin to shift offshore and elongate by the start of
next week. Winds across the forecast area will peak and lull as
the strength of this high fluctuates. Temperatures will gradually
moderate, with mid to upper 80s expected by mid-week. Dew points
will follow suit and climb back to near 70 degrees by the latter
half of the week. Unfortunately, there is not another front on the
horizon in the next 7-day timeframe.

&&

.MARINE...
Issued at 242 PM EDT Fri Apr 12 2024

A Small Craft Advisory is in effect for all Florida Keys coastal
waters except for the Florida Bay, where small craft should
exercise caution. From synopsis, breezes have briefly slackened
this afternoon and have begun to clock around to the northeast as
high pressure quickly slides eastward. Expect a nocturnal surge
to develop overnight tonight with fresh northeast breezes
expected. Thereafter, the high will slide into the western
Atlantic and remain through the remainder of the forecast period
with peaks and lulls expected.

&&

.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 242 PM EDT Fri Apr 12 2024

Observations at both terminals continue to reflect CIGs just barely
at 3k feet and above, so intermittent periods of MVFR conditions are
possible through approximately 00Z when cloud coverage begins to
decrease. North to northeast near-surface winds of near 10 knots
continue at both terminals. Gusts of near 20 knots continue at EYW,
but those same gusts aren`t forecast to return to MTH until
approximately 01Z.

&&

.CLIMATE...
On this day in 1985, the daily record rainfall of 6.19" was
recorded in Key West. This is also the wettest day ever recorded
in April. Rainfall records in Key West date back to 1871.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Key West  69  79  71  80 /   0   0   0   0
Marathon  69  80  71  80 /   0   0   0   0

&&

.KEY WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...None.
GM...None.
&&

$$

Public/Marine/Fire...NB
Aviation/Nowcasts....DP
Data Acquisition.....AJP

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