318  
FZUS52 KKEY 160230  
CWFKEY  
 
COASTAL WATERS FORECAST FOR THE FLORIDA KEYS  
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE KEY WEST FL  
1030 PM EDT SAT AUG 15 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.  
 
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.  
 
GMZ005-161430-  
SYNOPSIS FOR KEYS COASTAL WATERS FROM OCEAN REEF TO DRY TORTUGAS  
1030 PM EDT SAT AUG 15 2026  
   
SYNOPSIS  
GENTLE TO MODERATE EAST TO SOUTHEAST BREEZES ACROSS  
THE FLORIDA KEYS WILL START TO SLACKEN BEFORE THE START OF THE  
WORK WEEK. THE SUBTROPICAL RIDGE IS EXPECTED TO WEAKEN AS A MID  
LATITUDE TROUGH DESCENDS INTO THE ATLANTIC FROM THE EASTERN UNITED  
STATES. PERIODS OF LIGHT AND VARIABLE BREEZES ARE POSSIBLE EARLY  
NEXT WEEK AS A RESULT. MEANWHILE, A SAHARAN AIR LAYER IS FORECAST  
TO MOVE ACROSS THE KEYS WATERS EARLY NEXT WEEK. THERE IS HIGH  
CONFIDENCE SHOWER COVERAGE WILL BE LOW FOR MOST OF THE FORECAST  
PERIOD.  
 
THE APPROXIMATE SHOREWARD EDGE OF THE GULF STREAM AS OF  
AUGUST 13, 2026...  
 
38 NM SOUTH OF DRY TORTUGAS LIGHT...ON LOGGERHEAD KEY.  
20 NM SOUTH OF COSGROVE SHOAL LIGHT...OFF THE MARQUESAS KEYS.  
17 NM SOUTH OF SAND KEY LIGHT...OFF KEY WEST.  
21 NM SOUTH OF LOOE KEY...OFF BIG PINE KEY.  
18 NM SOUTHEAST OF SOMBRERO KEY LIGHT...OFF MARATHON.  
7 NM SOUTHEAST OF ALLIGATOR REEF LIGHT...OFF ISLAMORADA.  
7 NM SOUTHEAST OF MOLASSES REEF LIGHT...OFF KEY LARGO.  
2 NM SOUTHEAST OF CARYSFORT REEF LIGHT...OFF OCEAN REEF.  
 
GULF STREAM INFORMATION COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN  
KEY WEST, USING DATA FROM RTOFS AND NASA SPORT SST.  
 
 
 
GMZ031-161430-  
FLORIDA BAY INCLUDING BARNES SOUND, BLACKWATER SOUND, AND  
BUTTONWOOD SOUND-  
1030 PM EDT SAT AUG 15 2026  
   
OVERNIGHT  
EAST TO SOUTHEAST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS. BAY WATERS A  
LIGHT TO MODERATE CHOP.    
SUNDAY  
EAST TO SOUTHEAST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS. BAY WATERS A  
LIGHT CHOP.    
SUNDAY NIGHT  
EAST TO SOUTHEAST WINDS DECREASING TO 5 TO 10  
KNOTS. BAY WATERS BECOMING SMOOTH TO A LIGHT CHOP.    
MONDAY  
EAST TO SOUTHEAST WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS. BAY WATERS  
SMOOTH.   
MONDAY NIGHT  
VARIABLE WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS. BAY WATERS SMOOTH.   
TUESDAY  
SOUTHWEST TO WEST WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS. BAY WATERS  
SMOOTH. A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.    
TUESDAY NIGHT  
WEST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. BAY WATERS SMOOTH TO A  
LIGHT CHOP.    
WEDNESDAY  
WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS, BECOMING  
SOUTHWEST IN THE AFTERNOON. BAY WATERS SMOOTH, BECOMING SMOOTH TO  
A LIGHT CHOP. A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS.    
WEDNESDAY NIGHT  
SOUTHWEST TO WEST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. BAY  
WATERS SMOOTH TO A LIGHT CHOP.    
THURSDAY  
SOUTH WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. BAY WATERS SMOOTH TO A  
LIGHT CHOP. A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS.    
THURSDAY NIGHT  
SOUTHEAST TO SOUTH WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS. BAY  
WATERS SMOOTH. A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS.  
 
 
 
GMZ032-035-161430-  
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-  
1030 PM EDT SAT AUG 15 2026  
   
OVERNIGHT  
EAST TO SOUTHEAST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO 2  
FEET. NEARSHORE WATERS A LIGHT TO MODERATE CHOP. A SLIGHT CHANCE  
OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.    
SUNDAY  
EAST TO SOUTHEAST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO 2 FEET.  
NEARSHORE WATERS A LIGHT CHOP.    
SUNDAY NIGHT  
EAST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO 2 FEET.  
NEARSHORE WATERS A LIGHT CHOP.    
MONDAY  
EAST TO SOUTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND 1  
FOOT. NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH TO A LIGHT CHOP.   
MONDAY NIGHT  
NORTHEAST WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS. SEAS 1 FOOT OR  
LESS. NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH.    
TUESDAY  
NORTHWEST TO NORTH WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS. SEAS 1 FOOT OR  
LESS. NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH.    
TUESDAY NIGHT  
NORTHWEST WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS. SEAS 1 FOOT OR  
LESS. NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH.    
WEDNESDAY  
VARIABLE WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS, BECOMING WEST AROUND  
5 KNOTS IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS 1 FOOT OR LESS. NEARSHORE WATERS  
SMOOTH.    
WEDNESDAY NIGHT  
WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS, BECOMING  
SOUTHWEST AFTER MIDNIGHT. SEAS 1 FOOT OR LESS. NEARSHORE WATERS  
SMOOTH. A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS.    
THURSDAY  
SOUTH WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS. SEAS 1 FOOT OR LESS.  
NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH. A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS.    
THURSDAY NIGHT  
SOUTHEAST WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS. SEAS 1 FOOT OR  
LESS. NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH. A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND  
THUNDERSTORMS.  
 
 
 
GMZ042>044-161430-  
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-  
1030 PM EDT SAT AUG 15 2026  
   
OVERNIGHT  
EAST TO SOUTHEAST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO  
3 FEET. NEARSHORE WATERS A LIGHT TO MODERATE CHOP.    
SUNDAY  
EAST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND 2 FEET. NEARSHORE  
WATERS A LIGHT CHOP.    
SUNDAY NIGHT  
EAST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND 2 FEET.  
NEARSHORE WATERS A LIGHT CHOP.    
MONDAY  
EAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS, BECOMING VARIABLE NEAR 5 KNOTS.  
SEAS 1 TO 2 FEET. NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH TO A LIGHT CHOP,  
BECOMING SMOOTH.   
MONDAY NIGHT  
EAST TO SOUTHEAST WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND  
1 FOOT. NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH.    
TUESDAY  
VARIABLE WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND 1 FOOT.  
NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH.    
TUESDAY NIGHT  
NORTHWEST WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS. SEAS 1 FOOT OR  
LESS. NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH.    
WEDNESDAY  
NORTHWEST TO NORTH WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS, BECOMING  
SOUTHWEST TO WEST IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS 1 FOOT OR LESS.  
NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH, BECOMING SMOOTH TO A LIGHT CHOP.    
WEDNESDAY NIGHT  
WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS, BECOMING  
SOUTHEAST TO SOUTH AFTER MIDNIGHT. SEAS 1 FOOT OR LESS. NEARSHORE  
WATERS SMOOTH.    
THURSDAY  
SOUTHEAST TO SOUTH WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS. SEAS 1 FOOT OR  
LESS. NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH.    
THURSDAY NIGHT  
EAST TO SOUTHEAST WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS. SEAS  
1 FOOT OR LESS. NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH. A SLIGHT CHANCE OF  
SHOWERS.  
 
 
 
GMZ052>055-072>075-161430-  
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-  
1030 PM EDT SAT AUG 15 2026  
   
OVERNIGHT  
EAST TO SOUTHEAST WINDS NEAR 15 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO 4  
FEET, OCCASIONALLY TO 5 FEET. WAVE DETAIL: EAST 4 FEET AT 5  
SECONDS.    
SUNDAY  
EAST TO SOUTHEAST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO 3  
FEET. WAVE DETAIL: EAST 3 FEET AT 5 SECONDS.    
SUNDAY NIGHT  
EAST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO 3 FEET. WAVE  
DETAIL: EAST 3 FEET AT 5 SECONDS.    
MONDAY  
EAST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS, DECREASING TO 5 TO 10 KNOTS.  
SEAS 2 TO 3 FEET.   
MONDAY NIGHT  
EAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO 2 FEET.    
TUESDAY  
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO 2  
FEET.    
TUESDAY NIGHT  
NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS, BECOMING  
EAST AFTER MIDNIGHT. SEAS AROUND 1 FOOT.    
WEDNESDAY  
EAST TO SOUTHEAST WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS. SEAS 1 FOOT OR  
LESS.    
WEDNESDAY NIGHT  
NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS,  
BECOMING SOUTHEAST AFTER MIDNIGHT. SEAS 1 FOOT OR LESS.    
THURSDAY  
EAST TO SOUTHEAST WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND  
1 FOOT.    
THURSDAY NIGHT  
EAST TO SOUTHEAST WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO  
2 FEET. A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS.  
 
 
 
GMZ033-034-161430-  
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-  
1030 PM EDT SAT AUG 15 2026  
   
OVERNIGHT  
EAST TO SOUTHEAST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS. SEAS  
BUILDING TO 2 TO 3 FEET. WAVE DETAIL: EAST TO SOUTHEAST 2 FEET AT  
4 SECONDS. A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.    
SUNDAY  
EAST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS, DECREASING TO 5 TO 10 KNOTS.  
SEAS 1 TO 3 FEET. WAVE DETAIL: EAST 2 FEET AT 4 SECONDS.    
SUNDAY NIGHT  
EAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO 2 FEET. WAVE  
DETAIL: EAST 1 FOOT AT 3 SECONDS.    
MONDAY  
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS, BECOMING NORTH  
TO NORTHEAST. SEAS AROUND 1 FOOT.    
MONDAY NIGHT  
NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS. SEAS  
1 FOOT OR LESS.    
TUESDAY  
NORTHWEST TO NORTH WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND 1  
FOOT.   
TUESDAY NIGHT  
NORTHWEST TO NORTH WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS, BECOMING  
NORTHWEST AFTER MIDNIGHT. SEAS AROUND 1 FOOT.    
WEDNESDAY  
NORTHWEST WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND 1 FOOT.    
WEDNESDAY NIGHT  
WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS. SEAS  
AROUND 1 FOOT. A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS.    
THURSDAY  
SOUTH TO SOUTHWEST WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND  
1 FOOT. A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS.    
THURSDAY NIGHT  
NORTHWEST TO NORTH WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS, BECOMING  
SOUTHEAST TO SOUTH AFTER MIDNIGHT. SEAS AROUND 1 FOOT. A SLIGHT  
CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.  
 
 
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