382
FZUS52 KKEY 200338
CWFKEY

Coastal Waters Forecast for the Florida Keys
National Weather Service Key West FL
1038 PM EST Thu Feb 19 2026

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.

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.

GMZ005-201545-
Synopsis for Keys coastal waters from Ocean Reef to Dry Tortugas
1038 PM EST Thu Feb 19 2026

.SYNOPSIS...A surface high centered in the central North Atlantic
will meander in place for the next few days. The western
periphery will stretch west through the Florida Peninsula and
into the Gulf. This will maintain mainly gentle southeasterly
breezes through Saturday morning. A period of light and variable
breezes are possible late Saturday into early Sunday as the Keys
remain in region of nebulous pressure gradient. Confidence is
increasing for a strong cold front to sweep through the Keys
coastal waters beginning Sunday evening, with strong northwest to
north breezes anticipated in its wake.

The Approximate Shoreward Edge of the Gulf Stream as of February
17...

 7 NM South of Dry Tortugas Light...on Loggerhead Key.
 3 NM South of Cosgrove Shoal Light...off the Marquesas Keys.
 2 NM South of Sand Key Light...off Key West.
 7 NM South of Looe Key...off Big Pine Key.
11 NM Southeast of Sombrero Key Light...off Marathon.
14 NM Southeast of Alligator Reef Light...off Islamorada.
 7 NM Southeast of Molasses Reef Light...off Key Largo.
 3 NM Southeast of Carysfort Reef Light...off Ocean Reef.

Gulf Stream Information Courtesy of the National Weather Service in
Key West based on products from NASA SPoRT and RTOFS.

$$

GMZ031-201545-
Florida Bay including Barnes Sound, Blackwater Sound, and
Buttonwood Sound-
1038 PM EST Thu Feb 19 2026

.OVERNIGHT...Southeast winds near 10 knots. Bay waters a light
chop.
.FRIDAY...Southeast winds near 10 knots, decreasing to 5 to 10
knots. Bay waters a light chop, becoming smooth to a light chop.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...East to southeast winds 5 to 10 knots. Bay waters
smooth to a light chop.
.SATURDAY...Southeast winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming southeast to
south and decreasing to near 5 knots. Bay waters smooth to a
light chop, becoming smooth.
.SATURDAY NIGHT...Southeast to south winds near 5 knots, becoming
variable. Bay waters smooth.
.SUNDAY...West winds near 5 knots, increasing to 10 to 15 knots.
Bay waters smooth, becoming a light to moderate chop. Isolated
showers in the afternoon.
.SUNDAY NIGHT...West to northwest winds near 15 knots, becoming
northwest to north and increasing to near 25 knots. Bay waters a
moderate chop, becoming extremely rough. Isolated showers in the
evening.
.MONDAY...North winds 20 to 25 knots, becoming northwest to north
and decreasing to 15 to 20 knots. Bay waters very rough, becoming
choppy.
.MONDAY NIGHT...Northwest to north winds near 20 knots, increasing
to 20 to 25 knots. Bay waters rough, becoming very rough.
.TUESDAY...North winds 20 to 25 knots, decreasing to near 15 knots.
Bay waters very rough, becoming a moderate chop.
.TUESDAY NIGHT...North to northeast winds near 15 knots. Bay
waters a moderate chop.

$$

GMZ032-035-201545-
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-
1038 PM EST Thu Feb 19 2026

.OVERNIGHT...Southeast winds near 10 knots. Seas around 1 foot,
except 1 to 2 feet west of the Marquesas Keys. Nearshore waters a
light chop.
.FRIDAY...Southeast winds near 10 knots. Seas around 1 foot,
except 1 to 2 feet west of the Marquesas Keys. Nearshore waters a
light chop.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...East to southeast winds near 10 knots. Seas
around 1 foot, except 1 to 2 feet west of the Marquesas Keys.
Nearshore waters a light chop.
.SATURDAY...East to southeast winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming
variable and decreasing to near 5 knots. Seas around 1 foot,
subsiding to 1 foot or less. Nearshore waters smooth to a light
chop, becoming smooth.
.SATURDAY NIGHT...Variable winds near 5 knots. Seas 1 foot or
less. Nearshore waters smooth.
.SUNDAY...Variable winds near 5 knots, becoming west to northwest
and increasing to 10 to 15 knots in the afternoon. Seas 1 foot or
less, except building to 1 to 2 feet west of the Marquesas Keys.
Nearshore waters smooth, becoming a light to moderate chop.
Isolated showers in the afternoon.
.SUNDAY NIGHT...Northwest winds near 15 knots, becoming north and
increasing to near 25 knots. Seas 1 to 2 feet, building to 3 to 5
feet, occasionally to 6 feet. West of the Marquesas Keys, seas 2
to 3 feet, building to 5 to 6 feet, occasionally to 8 feet.
Nearshore waters a moderate chop, becoming extremely rough.
Isolated showers in the evening.
.MONDAY...North winds near 25 knots, becoming northwest to north
and decreasing to 20 to 25 knots. Seas 4 to 6 feet, occasionally
to 8 feet, except 7 to 9 feet, occasionally to 11 feet west of the
Marquesas Keys. Nearshore waters extremely rough, becoming very
rough.
.MONDAY NIGHT...Northwest to north winds 20 to 25 knots,
increasing to near 25 knots. Seas 4 to 6 feet, occasionally to 8
feet, except 7 to 9 feet, occasionally to 11 feet west of the
Marquesas Keys. Nearshore waters very rough, becoming extremely
rough.
.TUESDAY...Northwest to north winds 20 to 25 knots, decreasing to
15 to 20 knots. 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 very rough, becoming choppy.
.TUESDAY NIGHT...North winds 15 to 20 knots, becoming north to
northeast and decreasing to near 15 knots. Seas 3 to 4 feet,
occasionally to 5 feet, except 4 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6
feet west of the Marquesas Keys. Nearshore waters choppy, becoming
a moderate chop.

$$

GMZ042>044-201545-
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-
1038 PM EST Thu Feb 19 2026

.OVERNIGHT...Southeast winds near 10 knots, increasing to 10 to
15 knots. Seas around 2 feet. Nearshore waters a light chop,
becoming a light to moderate chop.
.FRIDAY...Southeast winds near 10 knots. Seas around 2 feet,
subsiding to 1 to 2 feet. Nearshore waters a light chop.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...East to southeast winds near 10 knots. Seas 1 to
2 feet. Nearshore waters a light chop.
.SATURDAY...East to southeast winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas around
1 foot. Nearshore waters smooth to a light chop.
.SATURDAY NIGHT...East to southeast winds near 5 knots, becoming
variable. Seas around 1 foot. Nearshore waters smooth.
.SUNDAY...West to northwest winds near 5 knots, becoming west to
northwest and increasing to 10 to 15 knots in the afternoon. Seas
1 foot or less, building to around 1 foot. Nearshore waters
smooth, becoming a light to moderate chop. Isolated showers in
the afternoon.
.SUNDAY NIGHT...West to northwest winds near 15 knots, becoming
north and increasing to near 25 knots. Seas 1 to 2 feet, building
to 2 to 3 feet. West of Cosgrove Shoal Light, seas 2 to 3 feet,
building to 4 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet. Nearshore waters
a moderate chop, becoming extremely rough. Isolated showers in the
evening.
.MONDAY...North winds near 25 knots, becoming northwest to north
and decreasing to 20 to 25 knots. Seas 2 to 4 feet, occasionally
to 5 feet, except 5 to 8 feet, occasionally to 10 feet west of
Cosgrove Shoal Light. Nearshore waters extremely rough, becoming
very rough.
.MONDAY NIGHT...Northwest to north winds 20 to 25 knots,
increasing to near 25 knots. Seas 2 to 4 feet, occasionally to 5
feet, except 6 to 7 feet, occasionally to 9 feet west of Cosgrove
Shoal Light. Nearshore waters very rough, becoming extremely
rough.
.TUESDAY...Northwest to north winds 20 to 25 knots, decreasing to
15 to 20 knots. Seas 2 to 4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet, except
4 to 6 feet, occasionally to 8 feet west of Cosgrove Shoal Light.
Nearshore waters very rough, becoming choppy in the afternoon.
.TUESDAY NIGHT...North to northeast winds 15 to 20 knots,
decreasing to near 15 knots. Seas subsiding to 2 to 3 feet,
except subsiding to 3 to 4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet west of
Cosgrove Shoal Light. Nearshore waters choppy, becoming a moderate
chop.

$$

GMZ052>055-072>075-201545-
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-
1038 PM EST Thu Feb 19 2026

.OVERNIGHT...East to southeast winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3
feet. Wave Detail: East to southeast 2 feet at 4 seconds.
.FRIDAY...East to southeast winds near 10 knots. Seas around 2
feet. Wave Detail: East to southeast 2 feet at 4 seconds.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...East winds 10 to 15 knots, becoming east to
southeast and decreasing to near 10 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet,
subsiding to around 2 feet. Wave Detail: East 2 feet at 4 seconds.
.SATURDAY...East to southeast winds near 10 knots, decreasing to 5
to 10 knots. Seas around 2 feet, subsiding to 1 to 2 feet.
.SATURDAY NIGHT...Northeast to east winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming
variable and decreasing to near 5 knots. Seas 1 to 2 feet.
.SUNDAY...Variable winds near 5 knots, becoming west to northwest
and increasing to 10 to 15 knots in the afternoon. Seas 1 to 2
feet, building to 1 to 3 feet. Isolated showers.
.SUNDAY NIGHT...Northwest winds near 15 knots, becoming northwest
to north and increasing to near 25 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet,
building to 3 to 6 feet, occasionally to 7 feet. Isolated showers.
.MONDAY...North winds near 25 knots, decreasing to 20 to 25
knots. Seas 6 to 9 feet, occasionally to 11 feet.
.MONDAY NIGHT...Northwest to north winds 20 to 25 knots,
increasing to near 25 knots. Seas building to 6 to 9 feet,
occasionally to 11 feet.
.TUESDAY...North winds 20 to 25 knots, decreasing to 15 to 20
knots. Seas 5 to 8 feet, occasionally to 10 feet, subsiding to 4
to 6 feet, occasionally to 8 feet.
.TUESDAY NIGHT...North to northeast winds 15 to 20 knots,
decreasing to near 15 knots. Seas 4 to 6 feet, occasionally to 8
feet, subsiding to 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet.

$$

GMZ033-034-201545-
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-
1038 PM EST Thu Feb 19 2026

.OVERNIGHT...Southeast winds near 10 knots. Seas 1 to 2 feet.
Wave Detail: East to southeast 1 foot at 3 seconds.
.FRIDAY...Southeast winds near 10 knots. Seas 1 to 2 feet. Wave
Detail: Southeast 1 foot at 3 seconds.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...East to southeast winds near 10 knots. Seas 1 to
2 feet. Wave Detail: East to southeast 1 foot at 3 seconds.
.SATURDAY...East to southeast winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas around
1 foot.
.SATURDAY NIGHT...Variable winds near 5 knots. Seas 1 foot or
less.
.SUNDAY...Variable winds near 5 knots, becoming west to northwest
and increasing to near 15 knots. Seas 1 foot or less, building to
1 to 2 feet. Scattered showers in the afternoon.
.SUNDAY NIGHT...Northwest to north winds increasing to near 25
knots. Seas building to 6 to 9 feet, occasionally to 11 feet.
Isolated showers in the evening.
.MONDAY...North winds near 25 knots, becoming northwest to north
and decreasing to 20 to 25 knots. Seas 7 to 10 feet, occasionally
to 13 feet.
.MONDAY NIGHT...Northwest to north winds near 25 knots. Seas 6 to
9 feet, occasionally to 11 feet.
.TUESDAY...North winds 20 to 25 knots, decreasing to 15 to 20
knots. Seas 5 to 8 feet, occasionally to 10 feet, subsiding to 6
to 5 feet, occasionally to 8 feet.
.TUESDAY NIGHT...North to northeast winds 15 to 20 knots,
decreasing to near 15 knots. Seas 4 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6
feet.

$$