Coastal Waters Forecast
Issued by NWS Key West, FL

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947
FZUS52 KKEY 272208 AAA
CWFKEY

Coastal Waters Forecast for the Florida Keys...UPDATED
National Weather Service Key West FL
608 PM EDT Sun Sep 27 2026

Updated first period winds and seas across all zones.

Florida Bay, Hawk Channel and Straits of Florida from Ocean Reef
to south of Dry Tortugas, and the extreme southeastern Gulf of
America, 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.

The Wave Detail section highlights the period and direction of
origin for the highest-energy waves, as well as any long-period
swells moving in a different direction than the wind.

GMZ005-281015-
Synopsis for Keys coastal waters from Ocean Reef to Dry Tortugas
608 PM EDT Sun Sep 27 2026

.SYNOPSIS...
A Nor`easter in the vicinity of New Jersey which will continue to
support a northeasterly swell with large periods in the eastern
marine zones through tonight, before subsiding tomorrow. A weak
frontal boundary will begin to push back northward through the
marine zones on Monday. Winds will then clock back to the
southeast to south for early this week, also accompanied by
increasing rain and thunder chances. In addition, strengthening
high pressure is expected to move off the Southeast U.S. coastline
around the middle to latter half of next week, merging with the
Atlantic high. This will promote freshening east to southeast
breezes, potentially become moderate to fresh.

The Approximate Shoreward Edge of the Gulf Stream as of
September 25, 2026...

43 NM south of Dry Tortugas Light, on Loggerhead Key
20 NM south of Cosgrove Shoal Light, off the Marquesas Keys
14 NM south of Sand Key Light, off Key West
 7 NM south-southeast of Looe Key, off Big Pine Key
 4 NM south-southeast of Sombrero Key Light, off Marathon
 4 NM south-southeast of Alligator Reef Light, off Islamorada
 0 NM southeast of Molasses Reef Light, off Key Largo
 1 NM west-northwest of Carysfort Reef Light, off Ocean Reef

Gulf Stream Information Courtesy of the Naval Oceanographic Office.

$$

GMZ031-281015-
Florida Bay including Barnes Sound, Blackwater Sound, and
Buttonwood Sound-
608 PM EDT Sun Sep 27 2026

.TONIGHT...West to northwest winds 10 to 15 knots, decreasing to
near 5 knots late. Bay waters a light to moderate chop, becoming
smooth.
.MONDAY...Variable winds near 5 knots, becoming southwest to west.
Bay waters smooth. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms.
.MONDAY NIGHT...Southwest winds near 5 knots, becoming light and
variable. Bay waters smooth. A chance of showers and
thunderstorms.
.TUESDAY...Variable winds near 5 knots, becoming southeast. Bay
waters smooth. Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms.
.TUESDAY NIGHT...East to southeast winds 5 to 10 knots. Bay
waters smooth to a light chop. Showers likely with a chance of
thunderstorms.
.WEDNESDAY...East winds near 10 knots, increasing to 10 to 15
knots. Bay waters a light chop, becoming a light to moderate chop.
Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT...East winds 10 to 15 knots. Bay waters a light
to moderate chop. A chance of thunderstorms. Showers likely.
.THURSDAY...East winds 10 to 15 knots, increasing 15 to 20 knots.
Bay waters a light to moderate chop, becoming choppy. A chance of
thunderstorms. Showers likely.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...East winds 15 to 20 knots, decreasing to 10 to
15 knots. Bay waters choppy, becoming a light to moderate chop. A
chance of showers and thunderstorms.
.FRIDAY...East to southeast winds 10 to 15 knots. Bay waters a
light to moderate chop. A chance of thunderstorms. Showers
likely.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...East to southeast winds 10 to 15 knots. Bay
waters a light to moderate chop. A chance of showers and
thunderstorms.

$$

GMZ032-035-281015-
Bayside and Gulfside from Craig Key to west end of Seven Mile
Bridge-
Gulf of America from west end of Seven Mile Bridge to Halfmoon
Shoal out to 5 Fathoms-
608 PM EDT Sun Sep 27 2026

.TONIGHT...West to northwest winds 5 to 10 knots, decreasing to
near 5 knots. Seas around 1 foot. Nearshore waters smooth to a
light chop, becoming smooth.
.MONDAY...Variable winds near 5 knots, becoming southwest to south.
Seas 1 foot or less. Nearshore waters smooth. A slight chance of
showers and thunderstorms.
.MONDAY NIGHT...Southeast to south winds near 5 knots, becoming
variable. Seas 1 foot or less. Nearshore waters smooth. Showers
likely with a chance of thunderstorms.
.TUESDAY...Variable winds near 5 knots, becoming east to
southeast. Seas 1 foot or less. Nearshore waters smooth. Showers
likely with a chance of thunderstorms.
.TUESDAY NIGHT...East to southeast winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas
1 foot or less. Nearshore waters smooth to a light chop. Showers
likely with a chance of thunderstorms.
.WEDNESDAY...East to southeast winds near 10 knots, increasing to
10 to 15 knots. Seas 1 foot or less, building to around 1 foot.
Nearshore waters a light chop, becoming a light to moderate chop.
Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT...East winds near 15 knots. Seas 1 to 2 feet.
Nearshore waters a moderate chop. Showers likely with a chance of
thunderstorms.
.THURSDAY...East winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas 1 to 2 feet, except
around 3 feet west of the Marquesas Keys. Nearshore waters
choppy. Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...East to southeast winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas
1 to 2 feet, except around 3 feet west of the Marquesas Keys.
Nearshore waters choppy. Showers likely with a chance of
thunderstorms.
.FRIDAY...East to southeast winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas 1 to
2 feet, except 2 to 3 feet west of the Marquesas Keys. Nearshore
waters choppy. A chance of thunderstorms. Showers likely.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...East to southeast winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to
3 feet. Nearshore waters a light to moderate chop. A chance of
showers and thunderstorms.

$$

GMZ042-281015-
Hawk Channel from Ocean Reef to Craig Key out to the reef-
608 PM EDT Sun Sep 27 2026

.TONIGHT...West winds 10 to 15 knots, decreasing to near 5 knots
late. Seas around 2 feet, subsiding to around 1 foot. Nearshore
waters a light to moderate chop, becoming smooth.
.MONDAY...Southwest to west winds near 5 knots. Seas 1 foot or
less. Nearshore waters smooth. A slight chance of showers and
thunderstorms.
.MONDAY NIGHT...Southwest to west winds near 5 knots. Seas 1 foot
or less. Nearshore waters smooth. A chance of showers and
thunderstorms.
.TUESDAY...Variable winds near 5 knots, becoming east. Seas 1
foot or less. Nearshore waters smooth. Showers likely with a
chance of thunderstorms.
.TUESDAY NIGHT...East to southeast winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas
around 1 foot. Nearshore waters smooth to a light chop. Showers
likely with a chance of thunderstorms.
.WEDNESDAY...East winds near 10 knots, increasing to 10 to 15
knots. Seas around 1 foot, building to 1 to 2 feet. Nearshore
waters a light chop, becoming a light to moderate chop. Showers
likely with a chance of thunderstorms.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT...East winds near 15 knots. Seas 1 to 2 feet,
building 2 to 3 feet. Nearshore waters a moderate chop. A chance
of thunderstorms. Showers.
.THURSDAY...East winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas 3 to 4 feet,
occasionally to 5 feet. Nearshore waters choppy. A chance of
thunderstorms. Showers likely.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...East to southeast winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas
3 to 4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet. Nearshore waters choppy.
Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms.
.FRIDAY...East to southeast winds near 15 knots. Seas 3 to
4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet. Nearshore waters a moderate chop.
Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...East to southeast winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to
3 feet. Nearshore waters a light to moderate chop. A chance of
showers and thunderstorms.

$$

GMZ043-044-281015-
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-
608 PM EDT Sun Sep 27 2026

.TONIGHT...West to northwest winds 5 to 10 knots, decreasing to
near 5 knots. Seas around 1 foot. Nearshore waters smooth to a
light chop, becoming smooth.
.MONDAY...Variable winds near 5 knots, becoming south to
southwest. Seas 1 foot or less. Nearshore waters smooth. A chance
of showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms.
.MONDAY NIGHT...Southeast to south winds near 5 knots. Seas
1 foot or less. Nearshore waters smooth. Showers likely with a
chance of thunderstorms.
.TUESDAY...Variable winds near 5 knots, becoming east to
southeast. Seas 1 foot or less. Nearshore waters smooth. Showers
likely with a chance of thunderstorms.
.TUESDAY NIGHT...East to southeast winds 5 to 10 knots, increasing
to near 10 knots. Seas 1 foot or less, building to around 1 foot.
Nearshore waters smooth to a light chop, becoming a light chop.
Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms.
.WEDNESDAY...East to southeast winds near 10 knots, increasing to
10 to 15 knots. Seas around 1 foot, building to 1 to 2 feet.
Nearshore waters a light chop, becoming a light to moderate chop.
Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT...East winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas 1 to 3 feet,
building 2 to 4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet. Nearshore waters
choppy. A chance of showers and thunderstorms.
.THURSDAY...East to southeast winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas 3 to
4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet. Nearshore waters choppy. A chance
of showers and thunderstorms.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...East to southeast winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas
3 to 4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet. Nearshore waters choppy.
Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms.
.FRIDAY...East to southeast winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas 2 to
4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet. Nearshore waters choppy. A chance
of thunderstorms. A chance of showers.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...East to southeast winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to
3 feet. Nearshore waters a light to moderate chop. A chance of
showers and thunderstorms.

$$

GMZ052-072-281015-
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-
608 PM EDT Sun Sep 27 2026

.TONIGHT...West winds 10 to 15 knots, decreasing to near 5 knots
late. Seas 2 to 3 feet, subsiding to 1 to 2 feet. Wave Detail:
North to northeast 2 feet at 13 seconds. A slight chance of
showers.
.MONDAY...Southwest to west winds near 5 knots. Seas 1 to 2 feet.
Wave Detail: North to northeast 1 foot at 12 seconds. A slight
chance of showers and thunderstorms.
.MONDAY NIGHT...South to southwest winds near 5 knots, becoming
variable. Seas 1 to 2 feet, subsiding to around 1 foot. Wave
Detail: North to northeast 1 foot at 11 seconds. Showers likely
with a chance of thunderstorms.
.TUESDAY...Variable near 5 knots, becoming southeast to east and
increasing to 5 to 10 knots. Seas around 1 foot. Showers likely
with a chance of thunderstorms.
.TUESDAY NIGHT...East to southeast winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas
around 1 foot, building 1 to 2 feet. Showers likely with a chance
of thunderstorms.
.WEDNESDAY...East winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 1 to 2 feet, building
2 to 3 feet. Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT...East winds near 15 knots, increasing to 15 to
20 knots. Seas 3 to 4 feet, building to 4 to 5 feet, occasionally
to 6 feet. Showers with a chance of thunderstorms.
.THURSDAY...East winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas 4 to 5 feet,
occasionally to 6 feet. Showers likely with a chance of
thunderstorms.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...East to southeast winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas
around 4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet. Showers likely with a
chance of thunderstorms.
.FRIDAY...East to southeast winds 15 to 20 knots, becoming 10 to
15 knots in the afternoon. Seas 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6
feet. A chance of showers and thunderstorms.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...East to southeast winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas
around 3 feet. A chance of showers and thunderstorms.

$$

GMZ053>055-073>075-281015-
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-
608 PM EDT Sun Sep 27 2026

.TONIGHT...West to northwest winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming
variable and decreasing to near 5 knots late. Seas 1 to 2 feet,
subsiding to around 1 foot. Wave Detail: Northeast to east 1 foot
at 4 seconds and northwest to north 1 foot at 4 seconds. A slight
chance of showers.
.MONDAY...Variable winds near 5 knots, becoming south to
southeast. Seas around 1 foot. Wave Detail: North to northeast 1
foot at 4 seconds. A chance of showers with a slight chance of
thunderstorms.
.MONDAY NIGHT...Southeast to south winds near 5 knots. Seas
around 1 foot. Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms.
.TUESDAY...Variable winds near 5 knots, becoming east to
southeast and increasing to 5 to 10 knots. Seas around 1 foot.
Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms.
.TUESDAY NIGHT...East to southeast winds 5 to 10 knots, increasing
to near 10 knots. Seas around 1 foot, building to 1 to 2 feet.
Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms.
.WEDNESDAY...East to southeast winds near 10 knots, becoming east
and increasing to 10 to 15 knots. Seas 1 to 2 feet, building 2 to
3 feet. Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT...East winds near 15 knots, increasing to 15 to
20 knots. Seas 3 to 4 feet, building to 4 to 5 feet, occasionally
to 6 feet. Showers with a chance of thunderstorms.
.THURSDAY...East winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas 4 to 5 feet,
occasionally to 6 feet. Showers with a chance of thunderstorms.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...East to southeast winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas
4 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet. Showers likely with a chance
of thunderstorms.
.FRIDAY...East to southeast winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas 3 to
5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet. A chance of showers and
thunderstorms.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...East to southeast winds near 15 knots. Seas 3 to
4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet. A chance of showers and
thunderstorms.

$$

GMZ033-034-281015-
Gulf of America from East Cape Sable to Chokoloskee 20 to 60 NM
out and beyond 5 fathoms-
Gulf of America including Dry Tortugas and Rebecca Shoal Channel-
608 PM EDT Sun Sep 27 2026

.TONIGHT...West to northwest winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming
variable and decreasing to near 5 knots. Seas around 1 foot. Wave
Detail: Northwest to north 1 foot at 4 seconds.
.MONDAY...Variable winds near 5 knots, becoming south. Seas 1
foot or less. Wave Detail: Northwest to north 1 foot at 4
seconds. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms.
.MONDAY NIGHT...Southeast to south winds near 5 knots. Seas
1 foot or less. Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms.
.TUESDAY...Southeast winds near 5 knots, increasing to 5 to 10
knots. Seas 1 foot or less, building to around 1 foot. Showers
likely with a chance of thunderstorms.
.TUESDAY NIGHT...East to southeast winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas
around 1 foot. Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms.
.WEDNESDAY...East to southeast winds near 10 knots, increasing to
10 to 15 knots. Seas around 1 foot, building to 1 to 2 feet.
Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT...East winds near 15 knots, increasing 15 to 20
knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Showers with a chance of thunderstorms.
.THURSDAY...East to southeast winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas 3 to
4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet. Showers with a chance of
thunderstorms.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...East to southeast winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas
3 to 4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet. Showers likely with a chance
of thunderstorms.
.FRIDAY...East to southeast winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas 2 to
4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet. A chance of thunderstorms.
Showers likely.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...East to southeast winds near 15 knots. Seas 2 to
3 feet. A chance of showers and thunderstorms.

$$

MJV