Coastal Waters Forecast
Issued by NWS Key West, FL
Issued by NWS Key West, FL
257 FZUS52 KKEY 231416 CWFKEY Coastal Waters Forecast for the Florida Keys National Weather Service Key West FL 1016 AM EDT Mon Sep 23 2024 Florida Bay, Hawk Channel and Straits of Florida from Ocean Reef to south of Dry Tortugas, and the extreme southeastern Gulf of Mexico, including The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Seas are given as significant wave height, which is the average height of the highest 1/3 of the waves. Individual waves may be more than twice the significant wave height. Wave Detail will include details about the period and direction of origin for the highest energy waves. Long-period swells coming from a different direction than the wind would be included in the Wave Detail. GMZ005-232030- Synopsis for Keys coastal waters from Ocean Reef to Dry Tortugas 1016 AM EDT Mon Sep 23 2024 .SYNOPSIS...Gentle easterly flow across the Keys coastal waters this afternoon will steadily increase tonight and Tuesday, as high pressure builds along the Eastern Seaboard, and a tropical low develops in the northwestern Caribbean Sea. Heading through the middle and later part of the week, the forecast will depend on the development and movement of this low. At this time, we expect fresh to strong east to southeast breezes to develop late Tuesday, with strong southeast winds peaking Wednesday night into Thursday as the tropical system moves northward across the eastern Gulf of Mexico. The strongest winds and highest seas are expected over western sections of the Keys waters. Mariners should continue to closely monitor the latest forecast updates during the next few days. The Approximate Shoreward Edge of the Gulf Stream as of September 18... 63 NM South of Dry Tortugas Light...on Loggerhead Key. 23 NM South of Cosgrove Shoal Light...off the Marquesas Keys. 8 NM South of Sand Key Light...off Key West. 12 NM South of Looe Key...off Big Pine Key. 13 NM South of Sombrero Key Light...off Marathon. 6 NM Southeast of Alligator Reef Light...off Islamorada. 4 NM Southeast of Molasses Reef Light...off Key Largo. 5 NM East of Carysfort Reef Light...off Ocean Reef. Gulf Stream Information Courtesy of the National Weather Service in Key West. $$ GMZ031-232030- Florida Bay including Barnes Sound, Blackwater Sound, and Buttonwood Sound- 1016 AM EDT Mon Sep 23 2024 .THIS AFTERNOON...East winds near 10 knots. Bay waters a light chop. Isolated showers and thunderstorms. .TONIGHT...East to southeast winds 10 to 15 knots. Bay waters a light to moderate chop. Isolated showers and thunderstorms in the evening, then scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms after midnight. .TUESDAY...East to southeast winds 10 to 15 knots, increasing to near 15 knots. Bay waters a light to moderate chop, becoming a moderate chop. Scattered showers and thunderstorms. .TUESDAY NIGHT...East to southeast winds near 15 knots, increasing to 15 to 20 knots. Bay waters a moderate chop, becoming choppy. Numerous showers and scattered thunderstorms. .WEDNESDAY...Southeast winds near 20 knots. Bay waters rough. Widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms. .WEDNESDAY NIGHT...Southeast to south winds 20 to 25 knots. Bay waters very rough. Widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms. .THURSDAY...Southeast to south winds 20 to 25 knots, becoming south near 20 knots in the afternoon. Bay waters very rough, becoming rough. Widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms. .THURSDAY NIGHT...South winds near 20 knots. Bay waters rough. Numerous showers and scattered thunderstorms. .FRIDAY...South to southwest winds 15 to 20 knots, decreasing to near 15 knots in the afternoon. Bay waters choppy, becoming a moderate chop. Numerous showers and scattered thunderstorms. .FRIDAY NIGHT...South to southwest winds 10 to 15 knots. Bay waters a light to moderate chop. Scattered showers and thunderstorms. $$ GMZ032-035-232030- Bayside and Gulf side from Craig Key to west end of Seven Mile Bridge- Gulf of Mexico from west end of Seven Mile Bridge to Halfmoon Shoal out to 5 Fathoms- 1016 AM EDT Mon Sep 23 2024 .THIS AFTERNOON...East winds near 10 knots. Seas around 1 foot. Nearshore waters a light chop. Isolated showers and thunderstorms. .TONIGHT...East to southeast winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 1 to 2 feet. Nearshore waters a light to moderate chop. Isolated showers and thunderstorms in the evening, then scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms after midnight. .TUESDAY...East to southeast winds near 15 knots, increasing to 15 to 20 knots. Seas building to 1 to 3 feet, except building to 3 to 4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet, west of the Marquesas Keys. Nearshore waters a moderate chop, becoming choppy. Scattered showers and thunderstorms. .TUESDAY NIGHT...East to southeast winds 15 to 20 knots, increasing to near 20 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet, except 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet, west of the Marquesas Keys. Nearshore waters choppy, becoming rough. Widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms. .WEDNESDAY...Southeast winds 20 to 25 knots, increasing to near 25 knots in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 4 feet. West of the Marquesas Keys, seas 4 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet, building to 5 to 7 feet, occasionally to 9 feet in the afternoon. Nearshore waters very rough, becoming extremely rough. Widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms. .WEDNESDAY NIGHT...Southeast to south winds 25 to 30 knots. Seas 2 to 4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet. West of the Marquesas Keys, seas 6 to 9 feet, occasionally to 11 feet, building to 8 to 10 feet, occasionally to 13 feet after midnight. Nearshore waters extremely rough. Widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms. .THURSDAY...Southeast to south winds 25 to 30 knots, becoming south near 25 knots in the afternoon. Seas 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet, except 8 to 10 feet, occasionally to 13 feet west of the Marquesas Keys. Nearshore waters extremely rough. Widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms. .THURSDAY NIGHT...South to southwest winds 20 to 25 knots. Seas 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet, except 7 to 9 feet, occasionally to 11 feet west of the Marquesas Keys. Nearshore waters very rough. Numerous showers and scattered thunderstorms. .FRIDAY...South to southwest winds near 20 knots, decreasing to 15 to 20 knots in the afternoon. Seas 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet, except 5 to 7 feet, occasionally to 9 feet west of the Marquesas Keys. Nearshore waters rough, becoming choppy. Numerous showers and scattered thunderstorms. .FRIDAY NIGHT...South to southwest winds near 15 knots. Seas 2 to 4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet, except 4 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet west of the Marquesas Keys. Nearshore waters a moderate chop. Scattered showers and thunderstorms. $$ GMZ042-232030- Hawk Channel from Ocean Reef to Craig Key out to the reef- 1016 AM EDT Mon Sep 23 2024 .THIS AFTERNOON...East winds near 10 knots. Seas around 1 foot, building to 1 to 2 feet. Nearshore waters a light chop. Isolated showers and thunderstorms. .TONIGHT...East to southeast winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas around 2 feet. Nearshore waters a light to moderate chop. Isolated showers and thunderstorms in the evening, then scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms after midnight. .TUESDAY...East to southeast winds 10 to 15 knots, increasing to near 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Nearshore waters a light to moderate chop, becoming a moderate chop. Scattered showers and thunderstorms. .TUESDAY NIGHT...East to southeast winds near 15 knots, increasing to 15 to 20 knots. Seas 2 to 4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet. Nearshore waters a moderate chop, becoming choppy. Numerous showers and scattered thunderstorms. .WEDNESDAY...Southeast winds near 20 knots. Seas 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet. Nearshore waters rough. Widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms. .WEDNESDAY NIGHT...Southeast to south winds 20 to 25 knots. Seas 4 to 6 feet, occasionally to 8 feet. Nearshore waters very rough. Widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms. .THURSDAY...Southeast to south winds 20 to 25 knots, becoming south near 20 knots in the afternoon. Seas 5 to 7 feet, occasionally to 9 feet. Nearshore waters very rough, becoming rough. Widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms. .THURSDAY NIGHT...South winds near 20 knots. Seas 4 to 6 feet, occasionally to 8 feet. Nearshore waters rough. Numerous showers and scattered thunderstorms. .FRIDAY...South to southwest winds 15 to 20 knots, decreasing to near 15 knots in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet. Nearshore waters choppy, becoming a moderate chop. Numerous showers and scattered thunderstorms. .FRIDAY NIGHT...South to southwest winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Nearshore waters a light to moderate chop. Scattered showers and thunderstorms. $$ GMZ043-044-232030- Hawk Channel from Craig Key to west end of Seven Mile Bridge out to the reef- Hawk Channel from west end of Seven Mile Bridge to Halfmoon Shoal out to the reef- 1016 AM EDT Mon Sep 23 2024 .THIS AFTERNOON...East winds near 10 knots, increasing to 10 to 15 knots. Seas 1 to 2 feet, building to 2 to 3 feet. Nearshore waters a light chop, becoming a light to moderate chop. Isolated showers and thunderstorms. .TONIGHT...East to southeast winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Nearshore waters a light to moderate chop. Isolated showers and thunderstorms in the evening, then scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms after midnight. .TUESDAY...East to southeast winds near 15 knots, increasing to 15 to 20 knots. Seas building to 3 to 4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet. Nearshore waters a moderate chop, becoming choppy. Scattered showers and thunderstorms. .TUESDAY NIGHT...East to southeast winds 15 to 20 knots, increasing to near 20 knots. Seas 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet. Nearshore waters choppy, becoming rough. Widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms. .WEDNESDAY...Southeast winds 20 to 25 knots, increasing to near 25 knots in the afternoon. Seas 4 to 6 feet, occasionally to 8 feet, except 5 to 7 feet, occasionally to 9 feet west of Cosgrove Shoal Light. Nearshore waters very rough, becoming extremely rough. Widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms. .WEDNESDAY NIGHT...Southeast to south winds 25 to 30 knots. Seas 5 to 7 feet, occasionally to 9 feet, building to 6 to 9 feet, occasionally to 11 feet after midnight. West of Cosgrove Shoal Light, seas 7 to 10 feet, occasionally to 13 feet, building to 9 to 11 feet, occasionally to 14 feet after midnight. Nearshore waters extremely rough. Widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms. .THURSDAY...Southeast to south winds 25 to 30 knots, becoming south near 25 knots in the afternoon. Seas 6 to 9 feet, occasionally to 11 feet, except 9 to 11 feet, occasionally to 14 feet west of Cosgrove Shoal Light. Nearshore waters extremely rough. Widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms. .THURSDAY NIGHT...South to southwest winds 20 to 25 knots. Seas 5 to 7 feet, occasionally to 9 feet, except 7 to 9 feet, occasionally to 11 feet west of Cosgrove Shoal Light. Nearshore waters very rough. Numerous showers and scattered thunderstorms. .FRIDAY...South to southwest winds near 20 knots, decreasing to 15 to 20 knots in the afternoon. Seas 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet, except 5 to 7 feet, occasionally to 9 feet west of Cosgrove Shoal Light. Nearshore waters rough, becoming choppy. Numerous showers and scattered thunderstorms. .FRIDAY NIGHT...South to southwest winds near 15 knots. Seas 2 to 4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet, except 4 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet west of Cosgrove Shoal Light. Nearshore waters a moderate chop. Scattered showers and thunderstorms. $$ GMZ052-072-232030- Straits of Florida from Ocean Reef to Craig Key out 20 NM- Straits of Florida from Ocean Reef to Craig Key 20 to 60 NM out- 1016 AM EDT Mon Sep 23 2024 .THIS AFTERNOON...East winds near 10 knots, increasing to 10 to 15 knots. Seas around 2 feet, building to 2 to 3 feet. Wave Detail: East 2 feet at 3 seconds and north to northeast 1 foot at 8 seconds. Isolated showers and thunderstorms. .TONIGHT...East to southeast winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Wave Detail: East 2 feet at 4 seconds and north to northeast 1 foot at 8 seconds. Isolated showers and thunderstorms in the evening, then scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms after midnight. .TUESDAY...East to southeast winds 10 to 15 knots, increasing to near 15 knots. Seas building to 3 to 4 feet. Wave Detail: East to southeast 3 feet at 4 seconds. Scattered showers and thunderstorms. .TUESDAY NIGHT...East to southeast winds near 15 knots, increasing to 15 to 20 knots. Seas 3 to 4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet. Numerous showers and scattered thunderstorms. .WEDNESDAY...Southeast winds near 20 knots. Seas 4 to 6 feet, occasionally to 8 feet. Widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms. .WEDNESDAY NIGHT...Southeast to south winds 20 to 25 knots. Seas 5 to 7 feet, occasionally to 9 feet. Widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms. .THURSDAY...Southeast to south winds 20 to 25 knots, becoming south near 20 knots in the afternoon. Seas 6 to 9 feet, occasionally to 11 feet. Numerous showers and scattered thunderstorms. .THURSDAY NIGHT...South winds near 20 knots. Seas 5 to 7 feet, occasionally to 9 feet. Numerous showers and scattered thunderstorms. .FRIDAY...South to southwest winds 15 to 20 knots, decreasing to near 15 knots in the afternoon. Seas 5 to 6 feet, occasionally to 8 feet, subsiding to 4 to 5 feet. Numerous showers and scattered thunderstorms. .FRIDAY NIGHT...South to southwest winds near 15 knots. Seas 3 to 4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet. Scattered showers and thunderstorms. $$ GMZ053>055-073>075-232030- Straits of Florida from Craig Key to west end of Seven Mile Bridge out 20 NM- Straits of Florida from west end of Seven Mile Bridge to south of Halfmoon Shoal out 20 NM- Straits of Florida from Halfmoon Shoal to 20 NM west of Dry Tortugas out 20 NM- Straits of Florida from Craig Key to west end of Seven Mile Bridge 20 to 60 NM out- Straits of Florida from west end of Seven Mile Bridge to south of Halfmoon Shoal 20 to 60 NM out- Straits of Florida from Halfmoon Shoal to 20 NM west of Dry Tortugas 20 to 60 NM out- 1016 AM EDT Mon Sep 23 2024 .THIS AFTERNOON...East winds near 10 knots, increasing to 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Wave Detail: East 2 feet at 3 seconds. Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms. .TONIGHT...East to southeast winds near 15 knots. Seas building to 3 to 4 feet. Wave Detail: East 3 feet at 4 seconds. Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms. .TUESDAY...East to southeast winds near 15 knots, increasing to 15 to 20 knots. Seas 3 to 4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet. Wave Detail: East to southeast 4 feet at 5 seconds. Numerous showers and scattered thunderstorms. .TUESDAY NIGHT...East to southeast winds 15 to 20 knots, increasing to near 20 knots. Seas building to 4 to 6 feet, occasionally to 8 feet. Widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms. .WEDNESDAY...Southeast winds 20 to 25 knots, increasing to 25 to 30 knots in the afternoon. Seas building to 6 to 9 feet, occasionally to 11 feet. Widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms. .WEDNESDAY NIGHT...Southeast to south winds 25 to 30 knots. Seas 8 to 11 feet, occasionally to 14 feet. Widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms. .THURSDAY...Southeast to south winds 25 to 30 knots, becoming south near 25 knots in the afternoon. Seas 8 to 11 feet, occasionally to 14 feet. Widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms. .THURSDAY NIGHT...South to southwest winds 20 to 25 knots. Seas 7 to 10 feet, occasionally to 13 feet. Numerous showers and scattered thunderstorms. .FRIDAY...South to southwest winds near 20 knots, decreasing to 15 to 20 knots in the afternoon. Seas 5 to 8 feet, occasionally to 10 feet. Numerous showers and scattered thunderstorms. .FRIDAY NIGHT...South to southwest winds near 15 knots. Seas 4 to 6 feet, occasionally to 8 feet. Scattered showers and thunderstorms. $$ GMZ033-034-232030- Gulf waters from East Cape Sable to Chokoloskee 20 to 60 NM out and beyond 5 fathoms- Gulf of Mexico including Dry Tortugas and Rebecca Shoal Channel- 1016 AM EDT Mon Sep 23 2024 .THIS AFTERNOON...East winds near 10 knots. Seas 1 to 2 feet. Wave Detail: East 2 feet at 3 seconds. Isolated showers and thunderstorms. .TONIGHT...East to southeast winds 10 to 15 knots, increasing to near 15 knots. Seas building to 2 to 3 feet. Wave Detail: East to southeast 2 feet at 3 seconds. Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms. .TUESDAY...East to southeast winds near 15 knots, increasing to 15 to 20 knots. Seas building to 3 to 4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet. Wave Detail: East to southeast 4 feet at 4 seconds. Scattered showers and thunderstorms. .TUESDAY NIGHT...East to southeast winds near 20 knots. Seas 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet. Widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms. .WEDNESDAY...Southeast winds 20 to 25 knots, increasing to 25 to 30 knots in the afternoon. Seas 4 to 6 feet, occasionally to 8 feet, building to 5 to 8 feet, occasionally to 10 feet in the afternoon. Widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms. .WEDNESDAY NIGHT...Southeast to south winds 25 to 30 knots with gusts up to 40 knots. Seas 8 to 11 feet, occasionally to 14 feet. Widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms. .THURSDAY...South winds 25 to 30 knots with gusts up to 40 knots. Seas 9 to 13 feet, occasionally to 17 feet. Widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms. .THURSDAY NIGHT...South to southwest winds near 25 knots, decreasing to 20 to 25 knots. Seas 8 to 11 feet, occasionally to 14 feet. Numerous showers and scattered thunderstorms. .FRIDAY...South to southwest winds near 20 knots, decreasing to 15 to 20 knots in the afternoon. Seas 6 to 9 feet, occasionally to 11 feet, subsiding to 5 to 7 feet, occasionally to 9 feet in the afternoon. Numerous showers and scattered thunderstorms. .FRIDAY NIGHT...South to southwest winds near 15 knots. Seas 4 to 6 feet, occasionally to 8 feet. Numerous showers and scattered thunderstorms. $$ MJV