626
FZUS52 KKEY 150820
CWFKEY

Coastal Waters Forecast for the Florida Keys
National Weather Service Key West FL
420 AM EDT Sat Mar 15 2025

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.

GMZ005-151430-
Synopsis for Keys coastal waters from Ocean Reef to Dry Tortugas
420 AM EDT Sat Mar 15 2025

.SYNOPSIS...Breezes are freshening across the Florida Keys coastal
waters today while the Atlantic High builds in response to a very
strong surface low centered over the Midwest. Small Craft
Advisories may be required for portions of the Florida Keys
coastal waters, primarily Atlantic-side, tonight through Sunday
afternoon. A cold front associated with the low pressure system is
forecast to transit across the Florida Keys on Monday. Peak
shower coverage with isolated thunderstorms is expected ahead of
the front from Sunday Night to Monday. Fresh, occasionally
strong, breezes are likely post frontal passage. High pressure
will set up over the southeastern United States mid week which
will allow breezes to slacken to gentle to moderate.

The Approximate Shoreward Edge of the Gulf Stream as of March
8...

35 NM South of Dry Tortugas Light...on Loggerhead Key.
19 NM South of Cosgrove Shoal Light...off the Marquesas Keys.
16 NM South of Sand Key Light...off Key West.
 8 NM South of Looe Key...off Big Pine Key.
 8 NM South of Sombrero Key Light...off Marathon.
 7 NM Southeast of Alligator Reef Light...off Islamorada.
 6 NM Southeast of Molasses Reef Light...off Key Largo.
 3 NM East of Carysfort Reef Light...off Ocean Reef.

Gulf Stream Information Courtesy of the National Weather Service in Key
West based on products from the Real Time Ocean Forecast System and
NASA SPoRT.

$$

GMZ031-151430-
Florida Bay including Barnes Sound, Blackwater Sound, and
Buttonwood Sound-
420 AM EDT Sat Mar 15 2025

...SMALL CRAFT SHOULD EXERCISE CAUTION FOR INCREASING WINDS...

.TODAY...Southeast winds near 15 knots, increasing to 15 to 20
knots. Bay waters a moderate chop, becoming choppy.
.TONIGHT...Southeast winds 15 to 20 knots. Bay waters choppy.
.SUNDAY...Southeast to south winds 15 to 20 knots, decreasing to
near 15 knots. Bay waters choppy, becoming a moderate chop.
.SUNDAY NIGHT...Southeast to south winds 10 to 15 knots, becoming
south to southwest and decreasing to near 10 knots. Bay waters a
light chop to moderate chop, becoming a light chop. Scattered
showers and isolated thunderstorms.
.MONDAY...West to northwest winds 10 to 15 knots, increasing to
northwest 15 to 20 knots. Bay waters a light to moderate chop,
becoming choppy. Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms in
the morning.
.MONDAY NIGHT...Northwest to north winds 15 to 20 knots. Bay
waters choppy.
.TUESDAY...North to northeast winds 15 to 20 knots, becoming
northeast to east and decreasing to near 15 knots. Bay waters
choppy, becoming a moderate chop.
.TUESDAY NIGHT...Northeast winds 15 to 20 knots, decreasing to
near 15 knots. Bay waters choppy, becoming a moderate chop.
.WEDNESDAY...Northeast winds 10 to 15 knots, becoming east and
decreasing to near 10 knots. Bay waters a light to moderate chop,
becoming a light chop.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT...Northeast to east winds 5 to 10 knots. Bay
waters smooth to a light chop.

$$

GMZ032-035-151430-
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-
420 AM EDT Sat Mar 15 2025

...SMALL CRAFT SHOULD EXERCISE CAUTION FOR INCREASING WINDS...

.TODAY...Southeast winds near 15 knots, increasing to 15 to 20
knots. Seas 1 to 2 feet, except 2 to 3 feet west of the Marquesas
Keys. Nearshore waters a moderate chop, becoming choppy.
.TONIGHT...Southeast winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas 1 to 2 feet,
except around 3 feet west of the Marquesas Keys. Nearshore waters
choppy.
.SUNDAY...Southeast winds 15 to 20 knots, decreasing to near 15
knots. Seas 1 to 2 feet, except 2 to 3 feet west of the Marquesas
Keys. Nearshore waters choppy, becoming a moderate chop.
.SUNDAY NIGHT...Southeast to south winds near 10 knots, becoming
southwest to west. Seas 1 to 2 feet. Nearshore waters a light
chop. Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms.
.MONDAY...West to northwest winds 10 to 15 knots, becoming
northwest to north and increasing near 20 knots. Seas 1 to 2
feet, building to 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet. West of
the Marquesas Keys, seas 2 to 4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet,
building to 5 to 6 feet, occasionally to 8 feet. Nearshore waters
a light to moderate chop, becoming rough. Isolated showers and
thunderstorms in the morning.
.MONDAY NIGHT...Northwest to north winds 20 to 25 knots. Seas 4
to 6 feet, occasionally to 8 feet, except 6 to 8 feet,
occasionally to 10 feet west of the Marquesas Keys. Nearshore
waters very rough.
.TUESDAY...North to northeast winds near 20 knots, becoming
northeast to east near 15 knots. Seas 3 to 5 feet, occasionally
to 6 feet. West of the Marquesas Keys, seas 6 to 7 feet,
occasionally to 9 feet, subsiding to 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to
6 feet. Nearshore waters rough, becoming a moderate chop.
.TUESDAY NIGHT...Northeast winds near 15 knots. Seas 1 to 2 feet,
except 2 to 3 feet west of the Marquesas Keys. Nearshore waters a
moderate chop.
.WEDNESDAY...East winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 1 to 2 feet, except
around 2 feet west of the Marquesas Keys. Nearshore waters a light
to a moderate chop.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT...Northeast to east winds near 10 knots. Seas 1
to 2 feet. Nearshore waters a light chop.

$$

GMZ042>044-151430-
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-
420 AM EDT Sat Mar 15 2025

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

.TODAY...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.
.TONIGHT...Southeast winds near 20 knots. Seas 3 to 5 feet,
occasionally to 6 feet. Nearshore waters rough. Isolated showers.
.SUNDAY...Southeast to south winds near 20 knots, decreasing to
near 15 knots. Seas 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet.
Nearshore waters rough, becoming a moderate chop. Isolated
showers.
.SUNDAY NIGHT...Southeast to south winds 10 to 15 knots, becoming
southwest to west. Seas 2 to 4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet.
Nearshore waters a light to moderate chop. Scattered showers and
isolated thunderstorms.
.MONDAY...West to northwest winds 10 to 15 knots, becoming
northwest to north and increasing to 20 to 25 knots. Seas 1 to 3
feet. West of Cosgrove Shoal Light, seas 2 to 4 feet, occasionally
to 5 feet, building to 4 to 6 feet, occasionally to 8 feet.
Nearshore waters a light to moderate chop, becoming very rough.
Isolated showers and thunderstorms in the morning.
.MONDAY NIGHT...Northwest to north winds 20 to 25 knots, becoming
north to northeast. Seas 2 to 3 feet, except 6 to 7 feet,
occasionally to 9 feet west of Cosgrove Shoal Light. Nearshore
waters very rough.
.TUESDAY...North to northeast winds near 20 knots, becoming
northeast and decreasing to near 15 knots. Seas 2 to 4 feet,
occasionally to 5 feet. West of Cosgrove Shoal Light, seas 5 to 7
feet, occasionally to 9 feet, subsiding to 3 to 5 feet,
occasionally to 6 feet. Nearshore waters rough, becoming a moderate
chop.
.TUESDAY NIGHT...Northeast winds 15 to 20 knots, decreasing to 10
to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet. Nearshore
waters choppy, becoming a light to moderate chop.
.WEDNESDAY...Northeast to east winds 10 to 15 knots, decreasing to
near 10 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet, subsiding to around 2 feet.
Nearshore waters a light to moderate chop, becoming a light chop.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT...Northeast to east winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas 1
to 2 feet. Nearshore waters smooth to a light chop.

$$

GMZ052>055-072>075-151430-
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-
420 AM EDT Sat Mar 15 2025

...SMALL CRAFT SHOULD EXERCISE CAUTION...
...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY MAY BE REQUIRED TONIGHT...

.TODAY...Southeast winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas 3 to 4 feet,
occasionally to 5 feet, building to 4 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6
feet. Wave Detail: East to southeast 4 feet at 5 seconds.
.TONIGHT...Southeast winds near 20 knots. Seas 4 to 6 feet,
occasionally to 8 feet. Wave Detail: East to southeast 5 feet at 6
seconds. Isolated showers.
.SUNDAY...Southeast winds near 20 knots, decreasing to 15 to 20
knots. Seas 4 to 6 feet, occasionally to 8 feet. Wave Detail: East
to southeast 4 feet at 6 seconds. Isolated showers.
.SUNDAY NIGHT...Southeast to south winds near 15 knots, becoming
southwest and decreasing to 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 4 feet,
occasionally to 5 feet, subsiding to 2 to 3 feet. Scattered
showers and isolated thunderstorms.
.MONDAY...West to northwest winds 15 to 20 knots, becoming
northwest to north 20 to 25 knots. Seas 3 to 5 feet, occasionally
to 6 feet, building to 4 to 7 feet, occasionally to 8 feet.
Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms in the morning, then
isolated showers in the afternoon.
.MONDAY NIGHT...Northwest to north winds 20 to 25 knots, becoming
north to northeast. Seas 5 to 8 feet, occasionally to 10 feet.
.TUESDAY...Northeast winds near 20 knots, decreasing to 15 to 20
knots. Seas 6 to 9 feet, occasionally to 11 feet, subsiding to 5
to 8 feet, occasionally to 10 feet.
.TUESDAY NIGHT...Northeast to east winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas
5 to 7 feet, occasionally to 9 feet, subsiding to 4 to 6 feet,
occasionally to 8 feet.
.WEDNESDAY...Northeast to east winds near 15 knots, decreasing to
10 to 15 knots. Seas 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet,
subsiding to 2 to 4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT...Northeast to east winds near 10 knots. Seas 2
to 4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet.

$$

GMZ033-034-151430-
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-
420 AM EDT Sat Mar 15 2025

...SMALL CRAFT SHOULD EXERCISE CAUTION FOR INCREASING WINDS...

.TODAY...Southeast winds near 15 knots, increasing to 15 to 20
knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet, building to 3 to 4 feet, occasionally to
5 feet. Wave Detail: Southeast 3 feet at 4 seconds.
.TONIGHT...Southeast winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas 3 to 4 feet,
occasionally to 5 feet. Wave Detail: Southeast 3 feet at
5 seconds.
.SUNDAY...Southeast to south winds 15 to 20 knots, decreasing to
10 to 15 knots. Seas 3 to 4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet. Wave
Detail: South 3 feet at 5 seconds. Isolated showers.
.SUNDAY NIGHT...Southeast to south winds near 10 knots, becoming
west to northwest and increasing to near 15 knots after midnight.
Seas 2 to 3 feet. Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms.
.MONDAY...Northwest to north winds building to 20 to 25 knots.
Seas building to 6 to 7 feet, occasionally to 9 feet. Isolated
showers and thunderstorms in the morning.
.MONDAY NIGHT...North winds 20 to 25 knots. Seas 6 to 9 feet,
occasionally to 11 feet.
.TUESDAY...Northeast to east winds near 20 knots, decreasing to
near 15 knots. Seas 5 to 7 feet, occasionally to 9 feet,
subsiding to 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet.
.TUESDAY NIGHT...Northeast winds 10 to 15 knots, decreasing to
near 10 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet.
.WEDNESDAY...East winds near 10 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT...Northeast to east winds 5 to 10 knots,
becoming north to northeast. Seas 1 to 2 feet.

$$

AJP