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FLUS42 KKEY 250936
HWOKEY

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Key West FL
536 AM EDT Wed Sep 25 2024

FLZ076>078-GMZ031>035-042>044-052>055-072>075-261100-
Monroe Upper Keys-Monroe Middle Keys-Monroe Lower Keys-
Florida Bay including Barnes Sound, Blackwater Sound, and
Buttonwood Sound-
Bayside and Gulf side from Craig Key to west end of Seven Mile
Bridge-
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-
Gulf of Mexico from west end of Seven Mile Bridge to Halfmoon
Shoal out to 5 Fathoms-
Hawk Channel from Ocean Reef to Craig Key out to the reef-
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-
Straits of Florida from Ocean Reef to Craig Key out 20 NM-
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 Ocean Reef to Craig Key 20 to 60 NM out-
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-
536 AM EDT Wed Sep 25 2024

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the Florida Keys and
adjacent coastal waters.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Tropical Storm Helene will move near the northeastern coast of
the Yucatan Peninsula this morning, northward across the eastern
Gulf of Mexico later today and Thursday, and reach the Big Bend
coast of Florida late Thursday. Strengthening is forecast, and
Helene is expected to become a hurricane later today. The storm is
forecast to rapidly strengthen over the eastern Gulf of Mexico
and become a major hurricane on Thursday.

Helene is expected to have an unusually large wind field as it moves
northward through the eastern Gulf, with tropical storm force winds
extending out over 250 miles east of the center. Expect squalls to
become increasingly frequent and strong across the Keys today and
tonight, continuing through Thursday or Thursday night. The strongest
winds are forecast to occur this evening through midday Thursday, when
damaging wind gusts of 55 to 65 mph in squalls will be possible, along
with an isolated tornado or two. Sustained tropical storm force winds
around 40 mph may arrive in the Lower Keys as early as this afternoon,
but are most likely to arrive throughout the Keys island chain
tonight. These winds are expected to continue throughout the day on
Thursday. Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect for all of the
Florida Keys and the surrounding coastal waters.

Storm surge flooding of 1 to 3 feet above ground level at the lowest
elevation areas and shoreline is expected throughout the Florida Keys
from tonight through Thursday evening, and a Coastal Flood Warning
remains in effect. Flooding may extend over streets and low
elevation properties a few blocks from the shoreline

Total rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches, with isolated totals up to
6 inches, are expected through Friday, with the potential for some
rainwater flooding of low lying spots.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

Tropical storm conditions are expected to continue across the
Florida Keys and surrounding coastal waters Thursday, as Helene
moves northward across the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Winds will
gradually decrease Thursday night and Friday. Once tropical storm
warnings are lowered, Small Craft Advisories will likely be
required across the Keys waters Thursday night into Friday, as
winds and seas gradually subside.

Storm surge flooding will remain possible through Thursday,
with a threat of flooding on the Bayside lingering into Thursday
night.

Once Helene departs the area, typical late summer weather will
resume for the weekend and into next week, with isolated
thunderstorms producing locally gusty winds and lightning strikes.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

$$