146
FZUS52 KKEY 280320
CWFKEY
COASTAL WATERS FORECAST FOR THE FLORIDA KEYS
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE KEY WEST FL
1020 PM EST FRI FEB 27 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.
GMZ005-280930-
SYNOPSIS FOR KEYS COASTAL WATERS FROM OCEAN REEF TO DRY TORTUGAS
1020 PM EST FRI FEB 27 2026
SYNOPSIS
A RIDGE ACROSS THE ATLANTIC IS PULLING FURTHER EAST WHILE A
FRONTAL BOUNDARY STALLS ACROSS NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA. THE
COMBINATION OF THESE FEATURES WILL PLACE THE KEYS IN A COL REGION
OVERNIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON. AS A RESULT, EXPECT
SLACKENING BREEZES THROUGH THIS PERIOD WITH VARIABLE DIRECTIONS AT
TIMES. DESPITE MOISTURE MOVING INTO THE REGION, AN UNFAVORABLE
WIND DIRECTION WILL LIMIT RAIN CHANCES DURING THE DAY SATURDAY AND
SUNDAY BUT INCREASE CHANCES AT NIGHT. THEREAFTER, A BROAD HIGH
PRESSURE SYSTEM IS FORECAST TO MIGRATE INTO THE EASTERN UNITED
STATES, WHICH WOULD SUPPORT FRESHENING BREEZES, ESPECIALLY ACROSS
THE STRAITS OF FLORIDA.
THE APPROXIMATE SHOREWARD EDGE OF THE GULF STREAM AS OF FEBRUARY
26...
14 NM SOUTH OF DRY TORTUGAS LIGHT...ON LOGGERHEAD KEY.
4 NM SOUTH OF COSGROVE SHOAL LIGHT...OFF THE MARQUESAS KEYS.
2 NM SOUTH OF SAND KEY LIGHT...OFF KEY WEST.
9 NM SOUTH OF LOOE KEY...OFF BIG PINE KEY.
14 NM SOUTHEAST OF SOMBRERO KEY LIGHT...OFF MARATHON.
12 NM SOUTHEAST OF ALLIGATOR REEF LIGHT...OFF ISLAMORADA.
5 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.
GMZ031-280930-
FLORIDA BAY INCLUDING BARNES SOUND, BLACKWATER SOUND, AND
BUTTONWOOD SOUND-
1020 PM EST FRI FEB 27 2026
OVERNIGHT
EAST TO SOUTHEAST WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS. BAY WATERS
SMOOTH. ISOLATED SHOWERS.
SATURDAY
VARIABLE WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS. BAY WATERS SMOOTH.
ISOLATED SHOWERS.
SATURDAY NIGHT
NORTHWEST TO NORTH WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS, BECOMING
NORTH TO NORTHEAST 5 TO 10 KNOTS. BAY WATERS SMOOTH, BECOMING
SMOOTH TO A LIGHT CHOP. ISOLATED SHOWERS.
SUNDAY
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS, INCREASING TO 5 TO
10 KNOTS LATE. BAY WATERS SMOOTH, BECOMING SMOOTH TO A LIGHT CHOP.
ISOLATED SHOWERS.
SUNDAY NIGHT
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS, INCREASING
TO 10 TO 15 KNOTS. BAY WATERS A LIGHT CHOP, BECOMING A LIGHT TO
MODERATE CHOP. ISOLATED SHOWERS.
MONDAY
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS, INCREASING TO
NEAR 15 KNOTS. BAY WATERS A LIGHT TO MODERATE CHOP, BECOMING A
MODERATE CHOP. ISOLATED SHOWERS.
MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS 15
TO 20 KNOTS. BAY WATERS CHOPPY. ISOLATED SHOWERS.
WEDNESDAY AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT
EAST WINDS NEAR 15 KNOTS. BAY
WATERS A MODERATE CHOP. ISOLATED SHOWERS.
GMZ032-035-280930-
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-
1020 PM EST FRI FEB 27 2026
OVERNIGHT
EAST TO SOUTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS, BECOMING
VARIABLE AND DECREASING TO NEAR 5 KNOTS. SEAS 1 FOOT OR LESS.
NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH TO A LIGHT CHOP, BECOMING SMOOTH.
ISOLATED SHOWERS.
SATURDAY
VARIABLE WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS. SEAS 1 FOOT OR LESS IN
THE MORNING, THEN 1 FOOT OR LESS. NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH.
ISOLATED SHOWERS.
SATURDAY NIGHT
NORTHWEST TO NORTH WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS, BECOMING
NORTH TO NORTHEAST. SEAS 1 FOOT OR LESS. NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH
TO A LIGHT CHOP. ISOLATED SHOWERS.
SUNDAY
NORTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS 1 FOOT OR LESS.
NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH TO A LIGHT CHOP. ISOLATED SHOWERS.
SUNDAY NIGHT
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS, INCREASING
TO 10 TO 15 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND 1 FOOT, BUILDING TO 1 TO 2 FEET.
NEARSHORE WATERS A LIGHT CHOP, BECOMING A LIGHT TO MODERATE CHOP.
ISOLATED SHOWERS.
MONDAY
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS, INCREASING TO
NEAR 15 KNOTS LATE. SEAS 1 TO 2 FEET, EXCEPT BUILDING TO 2 TO 3
FEET WEST OF THE MARQUESAS KEYS. NEARSHORE WATERS A LIGHT TO
MODERATE CHOP, BECOMING A MODERATE CHOP. ISOLATED SHOWERS.
MONDAY NIGHT
NORTHEAST TO EAST 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. ISOLATED SHOWERS.
TUESDAY AND TUESDAY NIGHT
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS 15 TO 20
KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO 3 FEET, EXCEPT 3 TO 4 FEET, OCCASIONALLY TO 5
FEET WEST OF THE MARQUESAS KEYS. NEARSHORE WATERS CHOPPY. ISOLATED
SHOWERS.
WEDNESDAY
EAST WINDS NEAR 15 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO 2 FEET, EXCEPT
2 TO 3 FEET WEST OF THE MARQUESAS KEYS. NEARSHORE WATERS A
MODERATE CHOP. ISOLATED SHOWERS.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT
EAST WINDS 15 TO 20 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO 3 FEET,
EXCEPT 3 TO 4 FEET, OCCASIONALLY TO 5 FEET WEST OF THE MARQUESAS
KEYS. NEARSHORE WATERS CHOPPY. ISOLATED SHOWERS.
GMZ042>044-280930-
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-
1020 PM EST FRI FEB 27 2026
OVERNIGHT
EAST TO SOUTHEAST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS, BECOMING
WINDS SOUTHEAST TO SOUTH 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO 2 FEET,
SUBSIDING TO AROUND 1 FOOT. NEARSHORE WATERS A LIGHT CHOP,
BECOMING SMOOTH TO A LIGHT CHOP. ISOLATED SHOWERS.
SATURDAY
SOUTHEAST TO SOUTH WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS, BECOMING
VARIABLE IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS AROUND 1 FOOT. NEARSHORE WATERS
SMOOTH. ISOLATED SHOWERS.
SATURDAY NIGHT
NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS
AROUND 1 FOOT. NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH TO A LIGHT CHOP. ISOLATED
SHOWERS.
SUNDAY
NORTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS 1 FOOT OR LESS.
NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH TO A LIGHT CHOP. ISOLATED SHOWERS.
SUNDAY NIGHT
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS, INCREASING
TO 10 TO 15 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND 1 FOOT, BUILDING TO 1 TO 2 FEET.
NEARSHORE WATERS A LIGHT CHOP, BECOMING A LIGHT TO MODERATE CHOP.
ISOLATED SHOWERS.
MONDAY
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS NEAR 15 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO
3 FEET. NEARSHORE WATERS A MODERATE CHOP. ISOLATED SHOWERS.
MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS 15
TO 20 KNOTS. SEAS 3 TO 4 FEET, OCCASIONALLY TO 5 FEET. NEARSHORE
WATERS CHOPPY. ISOLATED SHOWERS.
WEDNESDAY
EAST WINDS NEAR 15 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO 4 FEET,
OCCASIONALLY TO 5 FEET. NEARSHORE WATERS A MODERATE CHOP.
ISOLATED SHOWERS.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT
EAST WINDS 15 TO 20 KNOTS. SEAS 3 TO 4 FEET,
OCCASIONALLY TO 5 FEET. NEARSHORE WATERS CHOPPY. ISOLATED
SHOWERS.
GMZ052>055-072>075-280930-
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-
1020 PM EST FRI FEB 27 2026
OVERNIGHT
EAST TO SOUTHEAST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS, BECOMING
SOUTHEAST TO SOUTH 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO 2 FEET. WAVE DETAIL:
EAST 2 FEET AT 5 SECONDS. ISOLATED SHOWERS.
SATURDAY
SOUTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS, BECOMING VARIABLE IN
THE AFTERNOON. SEAS AROUND 1 FOOT. WAVE DETAIL: EAST TO SOUTHEAST
1 FOOT AT 4 SECONDS. ISOLATED SHOWERS.
SATURDAY NIGHT
NORTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND
1 FOOT, BUILDING TO 1 TO 2 FEET. WAVE DETAIL: NORTHEAST 1 FOOT AT
3 SECONDS. SCATTERED SHOWERS.
SUNDAY
NORTHEAST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS, INCREASING TO 10 TO 15
KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO 2 FEET, BUILDING TO AROUND 2 FEET. ISOLATED
SHOWERS.
SUNDAY NIGHT
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS INCREASING TO NEAR 15
KNOTS. SEAS BUILDING TO 2 TO 4 FEET. ISOLATED SHOWERS.
MONDAY
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS NEAR 15 KNOTS. SEAS 3 TO
5 FEET, OCCASIONALLY TO 6 FEET. ISOLATED SHOWERS.
MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS
15 TO 20 KNOTS. SEAS 4 TO 6 FEET, OCCASIONALLY TO 8 FEET. ISOLATED
SHOWERS.
GMZ033-034-280930-
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-
1020 PM EST FRI FEB 27 2026
OVERNIGHT
SOUTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS, BECOMING VARIABLE AND
DECREASING TO NEAR 5 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND 1 FOOT. WAVE DETAIL: EAST
TO SOUTHEAST 1 FOOT AT 3 SECONDS AND WEST TO NORTHWEST 1 FOOT AT
8 SECONDS. SCATTERED SHOWERS.
SATURDAY
VARIABLE WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND 1 FOOT. WAVE
DETAIL: WEST TO NORTHWEST 1 FOOT AT 7 SECONDS. ISOLATED SHOWERS.
SATURDAY NIGHT
NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS
AROUND 1 FOOT. WAVE DETAIL: NORTHEAST 1 FOOT AT 2 SECONDS.
ISOLATED SHOWERS.
SUNDAY
NORTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND 1 FOOT.
ISOLATED SHOWERS.
SUNDAY NIGHT
NORTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS, BECOMING NORTHEAST
TO EAST 10 TO 15 KNOTS. SEAS BUILDING TO 1 TO 2 FEET. ISOLATED
SHOWERS.
MONDAY
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO 3
FEET.
MONDAY NIGHT
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS, INCREASING
TO 15 TO 20 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO 3 FEET, BUILDING TO 2 TO 4 FEET,
OCCASIONALLY TO 5 FEET.
TUESDAY
EAST WINDS 15 TO 20 KNOTS, DECREASING TO 10 TO 15
KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO 4 FEET, OCCASIONALLY TO 5 FEET.
TUESDAY NIGHT
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS INCREASING TO 15 TO 20
KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO 4 FEET, OCCASIONALLY TO 5 FEET. ISOLATED
SHOWERS.
WEDNESDAY
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS 15 TO 20 KNOTS, DECREASING TO
10 TO 15 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO 4 FEET, OCCASIONALLY TO 5 FEET. ISOLATED
SHOWERS.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT
EAST WINDS INCREASING TO 15 TO 20 KNOTS. SEAS
2 TO 4 FEET, OCCASIONALLY TO 5 FEET. ISOLATED SHOWERS.
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