Coastal Waters Forecast
Issued by NWS Key West, FL

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FZUS52 KKEY 210825
CWFKEY

Coastal Waters Forecast for the Florida Keys
National Weather Service Key West FL
425 AM EDT Thu Mar 21 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.

GMZ005-211430-
Synopsis for Keys coastal waters from Ocean Reef to Dry Tortugas
425 AM EDT Thu Mar 21 2024

.SYNOPSIS...East to southeast breezes will freshen today and
tonight across the Keys waters, as low pressure develops in the
Gulf of Mexico. Strong southeasterly breezes on Friday will be
accompanied by strong to potentially severe thunderstorms. These
thundery squalls may come in multiple episodes Friday through
Saturday, and will be capable of damaging wind gusts, locally
heavy rainfall, and perhaps a violent waterspout or two. The heavy
weather will depart Saturday night as fresh to strong breezes
shift to the northwest. Breezes will shift quickly to the
northeast then east Monday and Monday night.

The Approximate Shoreward Edge of the Gulf Stream is currently
unavailable.

$$

GMZ031-211430-
Florida Bay including Barnes Sound, Blackwater Sound, and
Buttonwood Sound-
425 AM EDT Thu Mar 21 2024

...SMALL CRAFT SHOULD EXERCISE CAUTION FOR INCREASING WINDS...
...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY MAY BE REQUIRED TONIGHT...

.TODAY...East to southeast winds 10 to 15 knots, increasing to 15
to 20 knots during the afternoon. Bay waters a light to moderate
chop, becoming choppy. Isolated showers.
.TONIGHT...East to southeast winds 15 to 20 knots, increasing to
near 20 knots. Bay waters choppy, becoming rough. Isolated
showers in the evening, then scattered showers after midnight.
.FRIDAY...Southeast winds 20 to 25 knots. Bay waters very rough.
Numerous showers and scattered thunderstorms.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...Southeast to south winds 20 to 25 knots, becoming
south to southwest near 20 knots after midnight. Bay waters very
rough, becoming rough. Widespread showers and scattered
thunderstorms.
.SATURDAY...Southwest to west winds near 20 knots. Bay waters
rough. Widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms.
.SATURDAY NIGHT...West to northwest winds 15 to 20 knots. Bay
waters choppy. Isolated showers and thunderstorms in the evening.
.SUNDAY...Northwest to north winds 15 to 20 knots, decreasing to
near 15 knots in the afternoon. Bay waters choppy, becoming a
moderate chop.
.SUNDAY NIGHT...North to northeast winds near 15 knots. Bay
waters a moderate chop.
.MONDAY...Northeast to east winds near 15 knots. Bay waters a
moderate chop.
.MONDAY NIGHT...East winds 15 to 20 knots. Bay waters choppy.

$$

GMZ032-035-211430-
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-
425 AM EDT Thu Mar 21 2024

...SMALL CRAFT SHOULD EXERCISE CAUTION FOR INCREASING WINDS...
...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY MAY BE REQUIRED TONIGHT...

.TODAY...East to southeast winds 10 to 15 knots, increasing to 15
to 20 knots during the afternoon. Seas 1 to 2 feet, building to 2
to 3 feet. Nearshore waters a light to moderate chop, becoming
choppy. Isolated showers.
.TONIGHT...East to southeast winds near 20 knots. Seas 2 to 3
feet, except building to 3 to 5 feet west of the Marquesas Keys.
Nearshore waters rough. Isolated showers in the evening, then
scattered showers after midnight.
.FRIDAY...Southeast winds near 25 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet, except
3 to 5 feet west of the Marquesas Keys. Nearshore waters extremely
rough. Numerous showers and scattered thunderstorms.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...Southeast to south winds 20 to 25 knots, becoming
south to southwest near 20 knots after midnight. Seas 2 to 3
feet, except 3 to 4 feet west of the Marquesas Keys. Nearshore
waters very rough, becoming rough. Widespread showers and
scattered thunderstorms.
.SATURDAY...Southwest to west winds 20 to 25 knots. Seas 2 to 4
feet, except 4 to 5 feet west of the Marquesas Keys. Nearshore
waters very rough. Widespread showers and scattered
thunderstorms.
.SATURDAY NIGHT...West to northwest winds near 20 knots. Seas 2
to 4 feet, except 4 to 5 feet west of the Marquesas Keys.
Nearshore waters rough. Isolated showers and thunderstorms in the
evening.
.SUNDAY...Northwest to north winds near 20 knots, decreasing to
near 15 knots in the afternoon. Seas 3 to 5 feet, except 4 to 6
feet west of the Marquesas Keys. Nearshore waters rough, becoming
a moderate chop.
.SUNDAY NIGHT...North to northeast winds near 15 knots. Seas 2 to
3 feet. Nearshore waters a moderate chop.
.MONDAY...East winds near 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Nearshore
waters a moderate chop.
.MONDAY NIGHT...East winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet.
Nearshore waters choppy.

$$

GMZ042>044-211430-
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-
425 AM EDT Thu Mar 21 2024

...SMALL CRAFT SHOULD EXERCISE CAUTION FOR INCREASING WINDS...
...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY MAY BE REQUIRED TONIGHT...

.TODAY...East to southeast winds 10 to 15 knots, increasing to
15 to 20 knots during the afternoon. Seas around 2 feet, building
to 2 to 4 feet. Nearshore waters a light to moderate chop,
becoming choppy. Isolated showers.
.TONIGHT...East to southeast winds near 20 knots. Seas 3 to 5
feet. Nearshore waters rough. Isolated showers in the evening,
then scattered showers after midnight.
.FRIDAY...Southeast winds near 25 knots. Seas 4 to 6 feet.
Nearshore waters extremely rough. Numerous showers and scattered
thunderstorms.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...Southeast to south winds 20 to 25 knots, becoming
south to southwest near 20 knots after midnight. Seas 3 to 5
feet. Nearshore waters very rough, becoming rough. Widespread
showers and scattered thunderstorms.
.SATURDAY...Southwest to west winds 20 to 25 knots. Seas 3 to 5
feet. Nearshore waters very rough. Widespread showers and
scattered thunderstorms.
.SATURDAY NIGHT...West to northwest winds near 20 knots. Seas 2
to 4 feet, except 4 to 5 feet west of Cosgrove Shoal Light.
Nearshore waters rough. Isolated showers and thunderstorms in the
evening.
.SUNDAY...Northwest to north winds near 20 knots, decreasing to
near 15 knots in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 4 feet, except 4 to 5
feet west of Cosgrove Shoal Light. Nearshore waters rough,
becoming a moderate chop.
.SUNDAY NIGHT...North to northeast winds near 15 knots. Seas 2 to
3 feet, except 3 to 4 feet west of Cosgrove Shoal Light.
Nearshore waters a moderate chop.
.MONDAY...East winds near 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Nearshore
waters a moderate chop.
.MONDAY NIGHT...East winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas 3 to 4 feet.
Nearshore waters choppy.

$$

GMZ052>055-072>075-211430-
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-
425 AM EDT Thu Mar 21 2024

...SMALL CRAFT SHOULD EXERCISE CAUTION FOR INCREASING WINDS...
...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY MAY BE REQUIRED TONIGHT...

.TODAY...East to southeast winds near 15 knots, increasing to
15 to 20 knots in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 4 feet, building to 3
to 5 feet. Isolated showers.
.TONIGHT...East to southeast winds near 20 knots. Seas 4 to
6 feet, building to 5 to 7 feet. Isolated showers.
.FRIDAY...Southeast winds near 25 knots. Seas 5 to 8 feet.
Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...Southeast to south winds 20 to 25 knots, becoming
south to southwest near 20 knots after midnight. Seas 5 to 7
feet. Widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms.
.SATURDAY...Southwest to west winds 20 to 25 knots. Seas 5 to 7
feet. Widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms.
.SATURDAY NIGHT...West to northwest winds near 20 knots. Seas 4
to 6 feet. Isolated showers and thunderstorms.
.SUNDAY...Northwest winds near 20 knots, becoming northwest to
north near 15 knots in the afternoon. Seas 4 to 6 feet.
.SUNDAY NIGHT...North to northeast winds near 15 knots. Seas 3 to
5 feet.
.MONDAY...East winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas 4 to 5 feet.
.MONDAY NIGHT...East winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas 4 to 6 feet.

$$

GMZ033-034-211430-
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-
425 AM EDT Thu Mar 21 2024

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY MAY BE REQUIRED TONIGHT...

.TODAY...East to southeast winds 10 to 15 knots, increasing to
near 15 knots in the afternoon. Seas 1 to 2 feet, building to 2 to
3 feet. Isolated showers.
.TONIGHT...East to southeast winds 15 to 20 knots, increasing to
near 20 knots. Seas 2 to 4 feet, building to 3 to 5 feet.
Isolated showers in the evening, then scattered showers and
thunderstorms after midnight.
.FRIDAY...Southeast winds near 25 knots. Seas 4 to 6 feet.
Widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...Southeast to south winds 15 to 20 knots, becoming
south to southwest after midnight. Seas 3 to 5 feet. Widespread
showers and scattered thunderstorms.
.SATURDAY...Southwest to west winds near 20 knots. Seas 4 to 5
feet. Widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms.
.SATURDAY NIGHT...Northwest winds near 20 knots. Seas 4 to 6
feet. Isolated showers and thunderstorms in the evening.
.SUNDAY...Northwest to north winds near 20 knots, decreasing to
near 15 knots in the afternoon. Seas 4 to 6 feet, subsiding to 3
to 4 feet.
.SUNDAY NIGHT...North to northeast winds near 15 knots, becoming
northeast to east after midnight. Seas 3 to 4 feet.
.MONDAY...East winds near 15 knots. Seas 3 to 4 feet.
.MONDAY NIGHT...East to southeast winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas 3 to
5 feet.

$$


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