755
FZUS52 KKEY 211528
CWFKEY
COASTAL WATERS FORECAST FOR THE FLORIDA KEYS
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE KEY WEST FL
1028 AM EST SAT FEB 21 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.
GMZ005-220330-
SYNOPSIS FOR KEYS COASTAL WATERS FROM OCEAN REEF TO DRY TORTUGAS
1028 AM EST SAT FEB 21 2026
SYNOPSIS
THE WESTERN PERIPHERY OF A SURFACE HIGH PRESSURE WILL
MAINTAIN LIGHT TO GENTLE EAST TO SOUTHEAST BREEZES THIS
AFTERNOON. BREEZES SLACKEN TO MAINLY LIGHT BREEZES THEREAFTER AS
THE PRESSURE GRADIENT WEAKENS. A PERIOD OF LIGHT AND VARIABLE
BREEZES REMAINS POSSIBLE TONIGHT INTO EARLY SUNDAY DUE TO A
NEBULOUS PRESSURE GRADIENT ACROSS THE REGION. A STRONG COLD FRONT
WILL SWEEP THROUGH THE KEYS COASTAL WATERS BEGINNING SUNDAY
EVENING, WITH STRONG, POTENTIALLY NEAR GALE, NORTHWEST TO NORTH
BREEZES ANTICIPATED IN ITS WAKE. WINDS WILL SLOWLY SLACKEN AND
VEER TO THE NORTHEAST, THEN EVENTUALLY TO THE EAST TO SOUTHEAST
TUESDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY.
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.
GMZ031-220330-
FLORIDA BAY INCLUDING BARNES SOUND, BLACKWATER SOUND, AND
BUTTONWOOD SOUND-
1028 AM EST SAT FEB 21 2026
THIS AFTERNOON
SOUTHEAST WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS. BAY WATERS
SMOOTH.
TONIGHT
SOUTH TO SOUTHWEST WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS, BECOMING
VARIABLE. BAY WATERS SMOOTH.
SUNDAY
VARIABLE WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS, BECOMING WEST AND
INCREASING TO NEAR 15 KNOTS LATE. BAY WATERS SMOOTH, BECOMING A
MODERATE CHOP. ISOLATED SHOWERS IN THE AFTERNOON.
SUNDAY NIGHT
NORTHWEST WINDS 15 TO 20 KNOTS, BECOMING
NORTHWEST TO NORTH AND INCREASING TO 25 TO 30 KNOTS AFTER
MIDNIGHT. BAY WATERS CHOPPY, BECOMING EXTREMELY ROUGH. ISOLATED
SHOWERS IN THE EVENING.
MONDAY
NORTH WINDS 25 TO 30 KNOTS, BECOMING NORTHWEST AND
DECREASING TO 15 TO 20 KNOTS IN THE AFTERNOON. BAY WATERS
EXTREMELY 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 NEAR 20 KNOTS, DECREASING TO NEAR 10 KNOTS
IN THE AFTERNOON. BAY WATERS ROUGH, BECOMING A LIGHT CHOP.
TUESDAY NIGHT
NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS, BECOMING
NORTHEAST TO EAST AND INCREASING TO NEAR 10 KNOTS. BAY WATERS
SMOOTH TO A LIGHT CHOP, BECOMING A LIGHT CHOP.
WEDNESDAY
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS, BECOMING EAST
TO SOUTHEAST AND INCREASING TO 10 TO 15 KNOTS. BAY WATERS A LIGHT
CHOP, BECOMING A LIGHT TO MODERATE CHOP.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT
EAST TO SOUTHEAST WINDS NEAR 15 KNOTS. BAY
WATERS A MODERATE CHOP.
GMZ032-035-220330-
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 AM EST SAT FEB 21 2026
THIS AFTERNOON
EAST TO SOUTHEAST WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS. SEAS 1
FOOT OR LESS, EXCEPT AROUND 1 FOOT WEST OF THE MARQUESAS KEYS.
NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH.
TONIGHT
SOUTHEAST TO SOUTH WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS, BECOMING VARIABLE.
SEAS 1 FOOT OR LESS. NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH.
SUNDAY
VARIABLE WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS, BECOMING WEST TO NORTHWEST
AND INCREASING TO NEAR 15 KNOTS LATE. SEAS 1 FOOT OR LESS,
BUILDING TO AROUND 1 FOOT. NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH, BECOMING A
MODERATE CHOP. ISOLATED SHOWERS IN THE AFTERNOON.
SUNDAY NIGHT
NORTHWEST TO NORTH WINDS 15 TO 20 KNOTS,
INCREASING TO 25 TO 30 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO 2 FEET, BUILDING TO 4 TO
6 FEET, OCCASIONALLY TO 8 FEET. WEST OF THE MARQUESAS KEYS, SEAS 2
TO 3 FEET, BUILDING TO 7 TO 10 FEET, OCCASIONALLY TO 13 FEET.
NEARSHORE WATERS CHOPPY, BECOMING EXTREMELY ROUGH. ISOLATED
SHOWERS IN THE EVENING.
MONDAY
NORTH WINDS 25 TO 30 KNOTS, BECOMING NORTHWEST TO NORTH
AND DECREASING TO 20 TO 25 KNOTS IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS 4 TO 6
FEET, OCCASIONALLY TO 8 FEET. WEST OF THE MARQUESAS KEYS, SEAS 9
TO 11 FEET, OCCASIONALLY TO 14 FEET, SUBSIDING TO 7 TO 9 FEET,
OCCASIONALLY TO 11 FEET. NEARSHORE WATERS EXTREMELY ROUGH,
BECOMING VERY ROUGH.
MONDAY NIGHT
NORTHWEST TO NORTH WINDS NEAR 25 KNOTS, DECREASING
TO 20 TO 25 KNOTS. SEAS 4 TO 6 FEET, OCCASIONALLY TO 8 FEET,
EXCEPT 6 TO 9 FEET, OCCASIONALLY TO 11 FEET WEST OF THE MARQUESAS
KEYS. NEARSHORE WATERS EXTREMELY ROUGH, BECOMING VERY ROUGH.
TUESDAY
NORTH WINDS 20 TO 25 KNOTS, BECOMING NORTH TO NORTHEAST
AND DECREASING TO 10 TO 15 KNOTS IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS 3 TO 5
FEET, OCCASIONALLY TO 6 FEET, SUBSIDING TO 2 TO 3 FEET. WEST OF
THE MARQUESAS KEYS, SEAS 5 TO 7 FEET, OCCASIONALLY TO 9 FEET,
SUBSIDING TO 3 TO 5 FEET, OCCASIONALLY TO 7 FEET. NEARSHORE WATERS
VERY ROUGH, BECOMING A LIGHT TO MODERATE CHOP.
TUESDAY NIGHT
NORTH WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS, BECOMING NORTHEAST
TO EAST AND DECREASING TO NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO 3 FEET,
SUBSIDING TO 1 TO 2 FEET. WEST OF THE MARQUESAS KEYS, SEAS 3 TO 4
FEET, OCCASIONALLY TO 5 FEET, SUBSIDING TO AROUND 3 FEET.
NEARSHORE WATERS A LIGHT TO MODERATE CHOP, BECOMING A LIGHT CHOP.
WEDNESDAY
EAST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO 2 FEET, EXCEPT 2
TO 3 FEET WEST OF THE MARQUESAS KEYS. NEARSHORE WATERS A LIGHT TO
MODERATE CHOP.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT
EAST TO SOUTHEAST WINDS NEAR 15 KNOTS. SEAS 1
TO 2 FEET, EXCEPT BUILDING TO 2 TO 4 FEET, OCCASIONALLY TO 5 FEET
WEST OF THE MARQUESAS KEYS. NEARSHORE WATERS A MODERATE CHOP.
GMZ042>044-220330-
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 AM EST SAT FEB 21 2026
THIS AFTERNOON
EAST TO SOUTHEAST WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS. SEAS SUBSIDING
TO AROUND 1 FOOT. NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH.
TONIGHT
SOUTHEAST TO SOUTH WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS, BECOMING
VARIABLE. SEAS AROUND 1 FOOT. NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH.
SUNDAY
VARIABLE WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS, BECOMING WEST TO NORTHWEST
AND INCREASING TO NEAR 15 KNOTS LATE. SEAS AROUND 1 FOOT,
BUILDING TO 1 TO 2 FEET. NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH, BECOMING A
MODERATE CHOP. ISOLATED SHOWERS IN THE AFTERNOON.
SUNDAY NIGHT
NORTHWEST TO NORTH WINDS 15 TO 20 KNOTS,
INCREASING TO 25 TO 30 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO 2 FEET, BUILDING TO 2 TO
4 FEET, OCCASIONALLY TO 5 FEET. WEST OF COSGROVE SHOAL LIGHT, SEAS
2 TO 3 FEET, BUILDING TO 6 TO 9 FEET, OCCASIONALLY TO 11 FEET.
NEARSHORE WATERS CHOPPY, BECOMING EXTREMELY ROUGH. ISOLATED
SHOWERS IN THE EVENING.
MONDAY
NORTH WINDS 25 TO 30 KNOTS, BECOMING NORTHWEST TO NORTH
AND DECREASING TO 20 TO 25 KNOTS IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS 2 TO 4
FEET, OCCASIONALLY TO 5 FEET, EXCEPT 7 TO 10 FEET, OCCASIONALLY TO
13 FEET WEST OF COSGROVE SHOAL LIGHT. NEARSHORE WATERS EXTREMELY
ROUGH, BECOMING VERY ROUGH.
MONDAY NIGHT
NORTHWEST TO NORTH WINDS NEAR 25 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO
4 FEET, OCCASIONALLY TO 5 FEET, EXCEPT 6 TO 9 FEET, OCCASIONALLY
TO 11 FEET WEST OF COSGROVE SHOAL LIGHT. NEARSHORE WATERS
EXTREMELY ROUGH.
TUESDAY
NORTH WINDS 20 TO 25 KNOTS, DECREASING TO 10 TO 15
KNOTS IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS 2 TO 4 FEET, OCCASIONALLY TO 5 FEET,
SUBSIDING TO AROUND 2 FEET. WEST OF COSGROVE SHOAL LIGHT, SEAS 5
TO 7 FEET, OCCASIONALLY TO 9 FEET, SUBSIDING TO 3 TO 4 FEET,
OCCASIONALLY TO 6 FEET. NEARSHORE WATERS VERY ROUGH, BECOMING A
LIGHT TO MODERATE CHOP.
TUESDAY NIGHT
NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS, BECOMING
NORTHEAST TO EAST AND DECREASING TO NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO 2
FEET, EXCEPT SUBSIDING TO AROUND 3 FEET WEST OF COSGROVE SHOAL
LIGHT. NEARSHORE WATERS A LIGHT TO MODERATE CHOP, BECOMING A LIGHT
CHOP.
WEDNESDAY
EAST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS, BECOMING EAST TO SOUTHEAST
AND INCREASING TO NEAR 15 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO 2 FEET, EXCEPT 2 TO 3
FEET WEST OF COSGROVE SHOAL LIGHT. NEARSHORE WATERS A LIGHT TO
MODERATE CHOP, BECOMING A MODERATE CHOP.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT
EAST TO SOUTHEAST WINDS NEAR 15 KNOTS,
BECOMING SOUTHEAST AND INCREASING TO 15 TO 20 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO 4
FEET, OCCASIONALLY TO 5 FEET. NEARSHORE WATERS A MODERATE CHOP,
BECOMING CHOPPY.
GMZ052>055-072>075-220330-
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 AM EST SAT FEB 21 2026
THIS AFTERNOON
EAST TO SOUTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS
AROUND 2 FEET, SUBSIDING TO 1 TO 2 FEET. WAVE DETAIL: EAST TO
SOUTHEAST 2 FEET AT 4 SECONDS.
TONIGHT
EAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS, BECOMING VARIABLE AND
DECREASING TO NEAR 5 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO 2 FEET. WAVE DETAIL: EAST 2
FEET AT 4 SECONDS.
SUNDAY
VARIABLE WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS, BECOMING WEST TO NORTHWEST
AND INCREASING TO NEAR 15 KNOTS LATE. SEAS 1 TO 2 FEET, BUILDING
TO 1 TO 3 FEET. WAVE DETAIL: WEST TO NORTHWEST 1 FOOT AT 2 SECONDS
AND EAST 1 FOOT AT 4 SECONDS. ISOLATED SHOWERS IN THE AFTERNOON.
SUNDAY NIGHT
NORTHWEST TO NORTH WINDS 15 TO 20 KNOTS,
INCREASING TO 25 TO 30 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO 3 FEET, BUILDING TO 7 TO
11 FEET, OCCASIONALLY TO 14 FEET. ISOLATED SHOWERS IN THE EVENING.
MONDAY
NORTH WINDS 25 TO 30 KNOTS, BECOMING NORTHWEST TO NORTH
AND DECREASING TO 20 TO 25 KNOTS IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS 8 TO 11
FEET, OCCASIONALLY TO 14 FEET.
MONDAY NIGHT
NORTHWEST TO NORTH WINDS NEAR 25 KNOTS. SEAS 7 TO
10 FEET, OCCASIONALLY TO 13 FEET.
TUESDAY
NORTH WINDS 20 TO 25 KNOTS, BECOMING NORTH TO
NORTHEAST AND DECREASING TO 10 TO 15 KNOTS IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS
6 TO 9 FEET, OCCASIONALLY TO 11 FEET, SUBSIDING TO 4 TO 6 FEET,
OCCASIONALLY TO 8 FEET.
TUESDAY NIGHT
NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS, BECOMING
EAST. SEAS 3 TO 5 FEET, OCCASIONALLY TO 6 FEET.
WEDNESDAY
EAST TO SOUTHEAST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS, INCREASING TO
NEAR 15 KNOTS. SEAS 3 TO 6 FEET, OCCASIONALLY TO 8 FEET.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT
EAST TO SOUTHEAST WINDS 15 TO 20 KNOTS. SEAS
4 TO 6 FEET, OCCASIONALLY TO 8 FEET.
GMZ033-034-220330-
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 AM EST SAT FEB 21 2026
THIS AFTERNOON
EAST TO SOUTHEAST WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND
1 FOOT. WAVE DETAIL: EAST TO SOUTHEAST 1 FOOT AT 3 SECONDS.
TONIGHT
EAST TO SOUTHEAST WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS, BECOMING VARIABLE.
SEAS 1 FOOT OR LESS. WAVE DETAIL: EAST TO SOUTHEAST 1 FOOT AT 3
SECONDS. PATCHY FOG AFTER MIDNIGHT.
SUNDAY
VARIABLE WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS, BECOMING WEST TO NORTHWEST
AND INCREASING TO 15 TO 20 KNOTS IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS 1 FOOT OR
LESS, BUILDING TO 2 TO 3 FEET. WAVE DETAIL: WEST 2 FEET AT 3
SECONDS. PATCHY FOG IN THE MORNING. SCATTERED SHOWERS IN THE
AFTERNOON.
SUNDAY NIGHT
NORTHWEST TO NORTH WINDS NEAR 20 KNOTS, BECOMING
NORTH AND INCREASING TO NEAR 30 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO 4 FEET,
OCCASIONALLY TO 5 FEET, BUILDING TO 8 TO 11 FEET, OCCASIONALLY TO
14 FEET. ISOLATED SHOWERS IN THE EVENING.
MONDAY
NORTH WINDS 25 TO 30 KNOTS, BECOMING NORTHWEST TO NORTH
AND DECREASING TO 20 TO 25 KNOTS IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS 8 TO 11
FEET, OCCASIONALLY TO 14 FEET, SUBSIDING TO 7 TO 9 FEET,
OCCASIONALLY TO 11 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 10 TO 15
KNOTS IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS 5 TO 7 FEET, OCCASIONALLY TO 9 FEET,
SUBSIDING TO 3 TO 5 FEET, OCCASIONALLY TO 6 FEET.
TUESDAY NIGHT
NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS,
BECOMING NORTHEAST TO EAST AND DECREASING TO NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS
3 TO 5 FEET, OCCASIONALLY TO 5 FEET, SUBSIDING TO 2 TO 4 FEET,
OCCASIONALLY TO 5 FEET.
WEDNESDAY
EAST TO SOUTHEAST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO 3
FEET.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT
EAST TO SOUTHEAST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS. SEAS
2 TO 4 FEET, OCCASIONALLY TO 5 FEET.
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