396  
FZUS52 KKEY 180228  
CWFKEY  
 
COASTAL WATERS FORECAST FOR THE FLORIDA KEYS  
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE KEY WEST FL  
1028 PM EDT WED SEP 17 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.  
 
GMZ005-181430-  
SYNOPSIS FOR KEYS COASTAL WATERS FROM OCEAN REEF TO DRY TORTUGAS  
1028 PM EDT WED SEP 17 2025  
   
SYNOPSIS  
 
AN UNSETTLED WEATHER PATTERN IS IN PLACE ACROSS SOUTHERN FLORIDA,  
AND THE RECENT INCREASE IN SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL REMAIN  
IN PLACE FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS. BREEZES ARE EXPECTED TO  
REMAIN MODERATE TO FRESH OVERNIGHT WITH SMALL CRAFT SHOULD  
EXERCISE CAUTION HEADLINED FOR THE STRAITS OF FLORIDA. BREEZES  
WILL SLACKEN BY TOMORROW, BUT SHOWERS AND OCCASIONAL THUNDERSTORMS  
WILL LINGER ACROSS THE AREA THROUGH THE END OF THE WEEK.  
 
THE APPROXIMATE SHOREWARD EDGE OF THE GULF STREAM AS OF SEPTEMBER  
16...  
 
53 NM SOUTH OF DRY TORTUGAS LIGHT...ON LOGGERHEAD KEY.  
40 NM SOUTH OF COSGROVE SHOAL LIGHT...OFF THE MARQUESAS KEYS.  
32 NM SOUTH OF SAND KEY LIGHT...OFF KEY WEST.  
15 NM SOUTH OF LOOE KEY...OFF BIG PINE KEY.  
17 NM SOUTHEAST OF SOMBRERO KEY LIGHT...OFF MARATHON.  
14 NM SOUTHEAST OF ALLIGATOR REEF LIGHT...OFF ISLAMORADA.  
13 NM SOUTHEAST OF MOLASSES REEF LIGHT...OFF KEY LARGO.  
9 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.  
 
 
 
GMZ031-181430-  
FLORIDA BAY INCLUDING BARNES SOUND, BLACKWATER SOUND, AND  
BUTTONWOOD SOUND-  
1028 PM EDT WED SEP 17 2025  
   
OVERNIGHT  
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS NEAR 15 KNOTS. BAY WATERS A  
MODERATE CHOP. SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS, THEN  
WIDESPREAD SHOWERS AND SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS AFTER MIDNIGHT.    
THURSDAY  
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS DECREASING TO NEAR 10 KNOTS.  
BAY WATERS BECOMING A LIGHT CHOP. WIDESPREAD SHOWERS AND ISOLATED  
THUNDERSTORMS.    
THURSDAY NIGHT  
NORTHEAST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS, DECREASING TO 5  
TO 10 KNOTS. BAY WATERS A LIGHT CHOP, BECOMING A SMOOTH TO A  
LIGHT CHOP. NUMEROUS SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.    
FRIDAY  
NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. BAY WATERS  
SMOOTH TO A LIGHT CHOP. NUMEROUS SHOWERS AND ISOLATED  
THUNDERSTORMS.    
FRIDAY NIGHT  
NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS. BAY  
WATERS A LIGHT CHOP. SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED  
THUNDERSTORMS. .SATURDAY..NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS.  
BAY WATERS SMOOTH TO A LIGHT CHOP. SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED  
THUNDERSTORMS.    
SATURDAY NIGHT  
NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. BAY  
WATERS SMOOTH TO A LIGHT CHOP. SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED  
THUNDERSTORMS.    
SUNDAY AND SUNDAY NIGHT  
NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10  
KNOTS. BAY WATERS SMOOTH TO A LIGHT CHOP. SCATTERED SHOWERS AND  
ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.    
MONDAY AND MONDAY NIGHT  
SOUTH TO SOUTHWEST WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS.  
BAY WATERS SMOOTH. SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.  
 
 
 
GMZ032-035-181430-  
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-  
1028 PM EDT WED SEP 17 2025  
   
OVERNIGHT  
EAST WINDS NEAR 15 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO 2 FEET.  
NEARSHORE WATERS A MODERATE CHOP. SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED  
THUNDERSTORMS, THEN WIDESPREAD SHOWERS AND SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS  
AFTER MIDNIGHT.    
THURSDAY  
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS DECREASING TO 10 TO 15 KNOTS.  
SEAS 1 TO 2 FEET. NEARSHORE WATERS BECOMING A LIGHT TO MODERATE  
CHOP. WIDESPREAD SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.    
THURSDAY NIGHT  
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS  
1 TO 2 FEET, SUBSIDING TO AROUND 1 FOOT. NEARSHORE WATERS A LIGHT  
CHOP. NUMEROUS SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.    
FRIDAY  
NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND 1  
FOOT. NEARSHORE WATERS A LIGHT CHOP. NUMEROUS SHOWERS AND  
ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.    
FRIDAY NIGHT  
NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS  
AROUND 1 FOOT. NEARSHORE WATERS A LIGHT CHOP. SCATTERED SHOWERS  
AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.    
SATURDAY  
NORTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND 1 FOOT.  
NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH TO A LIGHT CHOP. SCATTERED SHOWERS AND  
ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.   
SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY  
NORTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS  
AROUND 1 FOOT. NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH TO A LIGHT CHOP. SCATTERED  
SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.   
SUNDAY NIGHT  
VARIABLE WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND 1 FOOT.  
NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH TO A LIGHT CHOP. SCATTERED SHOWERS AND  
ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.    
MONDAY  
SOUTH TO SOUTHWEST WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS. SEAS 1 FOOT OR  
LESS. NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH. SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED  
THUNDERSTORMS.    
MONDAY NIGHT  
SOUTHWEST TO WEST WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS, BECOMING  
SOUTHEAST TO SOUTH. SEAS 1 FOOT OR LESS. NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH.  
SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.  
 
 
 
GMZ042>044-181430-  
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-  
1028 PM EDT WED SEP 17 2025  
   
OVERNIGHT  
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS NEAR 15 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO 3  
FEET. NEARSHORE WATERS A MODERATE CHOP. SCATTERED SHOWERS AND  
ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS, THEN WIDESPREAD SHOWERS AND SCATTERED  
THUNDERSTORMS AFTER MIDNIGHT.   
THURSDAY  
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS NEAR 15 KNOTS, DECREASING TO 10  
TO 15 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO 3 FEET, SUBSIDING TO 1 TO 2 FEET.  
NEARSHORE WATERS A MODERATE CHOP, BECOMING A LIGHT TO MODERATE  
CHOP. WIDESPREAD SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.    
THURSDAY NIGHT  
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS  
1 TO 2 FEET. NEARSHORE WATERS A LIGHT CHOP. NUMEROUS SHOWERS AND  
ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.    
FRIDAY  
NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO 2 FEET.  
NEARSHORE WATERS A LIGHT CHOP. NUMEROUS SHOWERS AND ISOLATED  
THUNDERSTORMS.    
FRIDAY NIGHT  
NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO  
2 FEET. NEARSHORE WATERS A LIGHT CHOP. SCATTERED SHOWERS AND  
ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.    
SATURDAY  
NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS NEAR 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS 1  
TO 2 FEET. NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH TO A LIGHT CHOP. SCATTERED  
SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.   
SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY  
NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS NEAR 5 TO  
10 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO 2 FEET. NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH TO A LIGHT  
CHOP. SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.   
SUNDAY NIGHT  
VARIABLE WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND 1 FOOT.  
NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH. SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED  
THUNDERSTORMS.   
MONDAY  
SOUTHWEST TO WEST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS 1 FOOT OR  
LESS. NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH TO A LIGHT CHOP. SCATTERED SHOWERS  
AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.    
MONDAY NIGHT  
EAST WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS, BECOMING SOUTHEAST TO  
SOUTH. SEAS 1 FOOT OR LESS. NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH. SCATTERED  
SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.  
 
 
 
GMZ052>055-072>075-181430-  
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-  
1028 PM EDT WED SEP 17 2025  
   
..SMALL CRAFT SHOULD EXERCISE CAUTION  
 
   
OVERNIGHT  
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS 15 TO 20 KNOTS. SEAS 3 TO 4  
FEET, OCCASIONALLY TO 5 FEET. WAVE DETAIL: NORTHEAST TO EAST 4  
FEET AT 5 SECONDS. WINDS AND SEAS HIGHER IN AND AROUND NUMEROUS  
SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS, THEN WIDESPREAD SHOWERS AND  
SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS AFTER MIDNIGHT.   
THURSDAY  
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS DECREASING TO 10 TO 15 KNOTS.  
SEAS 2 TO 4 FEET, OCCASIONALLY TO 5 FEET, SUBSIDING TO 2 TO 3 FEET.  
WAVE DETAIL: EAST 3 FEET AT 6 SECONDS. WIDESPREAD SHOWERS AND  
ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.   
THURSDAY NIGHT  
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS,  
DECREASING TO NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO 3 FEET, SUBSIDING TO 1 TO 2  
FEET. WAVE DETAIL: NORTHEAST TO EAST 3 FEET AT 5 SECONDS. NUMEROUS  
SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.    
FRIDAY  
NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO 2  
FEET. NUMEROUS SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.    
FRIDAY NIGHT  
NORTHEAST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO 2 FEET.  
SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.    
SATURDAY  
NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO 2  
FEET. SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.   
SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY  
NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS NEAR 10  
KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO 2 FEET. SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED  
THUNDERSTORMS.   
SUNDAY NIGHT  
VARIABLE WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO 2 FEET.  
SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.    
MONDAY  
SOUTH TO SOUTHWEST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS, BECOMING WEST  
IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS 1 FOOT OR LESS. SCATTERED SHOWERS AND  
ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.    
MONDAY NIGHT  
EAST WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS, BECOMING SOUTHEAST TO  
SOUTH. SEAS 1 FOOT OR LESS. SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED  
THUNDERSTORMS.  
 
 
 
GMZ033-034-181430-  
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-  
1028 PM EDT WED SEP 17 2025  
   
OVERNIGHT  
EAST WINDS NEAR 15 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND 2 FEET. WAVE  
DETAIL: NORTHEAST TO EAST 2 FEET AT 4 SECONDS. SCATTERED SHOWERS  
AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS, THEN WIDESPREAD SHOWERS AND SCATTERED  
THUNDERSTORMS AFTER MIDNIGHT.   
THURSDAY  
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS DECREASING 10 TO 15 KNOTS.  
SEAS SUBSIDING TO 1 TO 2 FEET. WAVE DETAIL: NORTHEAST TO EAST 2  
FEET AT 4 SECONDS. WIDESPREAD SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.    
THURSDAY NIGHT  
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS. SEAS  
1 TO 2 FEET. WAVE DETAIL: NORTHEAST TO EAST 2 FEET AT 4 SECONDS.  
NUMEROUS SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.   
FRIDAY  
NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO  
2 FEET. SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.    
FRIDAY NIGHT  
NORTHEAST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO 2 FEET.  
SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.    
SATURDAY  
NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO 2  
FEET. SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.   
SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY  
NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS NEAR 10  
KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO 2 FEET. SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED  
THUNDERSTORMS.   
SUNDAY NIGHT  
VARIABLE WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND 1 FOOT.  
SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.    
MONDAY  
SOUTH WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS, BECOMING SOUTHWEST TO WEST.  
SEAS 1 FOOT OR LESS. SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.   
MONDAY NIGHT  
WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS, BECOMING  
SOUTHEAST TO SOUTH. SEAS 1 FOOT OR LESS. SCATTERED SHOWERS AND  
ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.  
 
 
 
MJV  
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