516  
FZUS52 KKEY 230833  
CWFKEY  
 
COASTAL WATERS FORECAST FOR THE FLORIDA KEYS  
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE KEY WEST FL  
433 AM EDT MON MAR 23 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.  
 
GMZ005-232045-  
SYNOPSIS FOR KEYS COASTAL WATERS FROM OCEAN REEF TO DRY TORTUGAS  
433 AM EDT MON MAR 23 2026  
   
SYNOPSIS
 
HIGH PRESSURE CENTERED OVER THE SOUTHERN HALF OF THE  
FLORIDA PENINSULA AND WILL REMAIN IN PLACE THROUGH THE NEXT  
SEVERAL DAYS WHILE WEAKENING. THIS WILL SUPPORT A STAGNANT PATTERN  
OF GENERALLY LIGHT TO GENTLE NORTH TO NORTHEAST BREEZES,  
GRADUALLY VEERING TO THE NORTHEAST TO EAST LATER IN THE WORK WEEK.  
 
THE APPROXIMATE SHOREWARD EDGE OF THE GULF STREAM AS OF MARCH 22...  
 
44 NM SOUTH OF DRY TORTUGAS LIGHT...ON LOGGERHEAD KEY.  
44 NM SOUTH OF COSGROVE SHOAL LIGHT...OFF THE MARQUESAS KEYS.  
39 NM SOUTH OF SAND KEY LIGHT...OFF KEY WEST.  
24 NM SOUTH OF LOOE KEY...OFF BIG PINE KEY.  
15 NM SOUTHEAST OF SOMBRERO KEY LIGHT...OFF MARATHON.  
15 NM SOUTHEAST OF ALLIGATOR REEF LIGHT...OFF ISLAMORADA.  
11 NM SOUTHEAST OF MOLASSES REEF LIGHT...OFF KEY LARGO.  
12 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.  
 

 
 
GMZ031-232045-  
FLORIDA BAY INCLUDING BARNES SOUND, BLACKWATER SOUND, AND  
BUTTONWOOD SOUND-  
433 AM EDT MON MAR 23 2026  
   
TODAY
 
NORTHEAST WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS, BECOMING VARIABLE. BAY  
WATERS SMOOTH.    
TONIGHT
 
NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. BAY WATERS  
SMOOTH TO A LIGHT CHOP.    
TUESDAY
 
NORTHEAST WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS, BECOMING VARIABLE. BAY  
WATERS SMOOTH.    
TUESDAY NIGHT AND WEDNESDAY
 
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS 5 TO 10  
KNOTS. BAY WATERS SMOOTH TO A LIGHT CHOP.    
WEDNESDAY NIGHT
 
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS,  
INCREASING TO NEAR 10 KNOTS. BAY WATERS SMOOTH TO A LIGHT CHOP,  
BECOMING A LIGHT CHOP.   
THURSDAY
 
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS. BAY WATERS A  
LIGHT CHOP. A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS.   
THURSDAY NIGHT
 
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS. BAY  
WATERS A LIGHT CHOP.   
FRIDAY
 
EAST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS. BAY WATERS A LIGHT CHOP.    
FRIDAY NIGHT
 
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS. BAY  
WATERS A LIGHT TO MODERATE CHOP.  
 

 
 
GMZ032-035-232045-  
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-  
433 AM EDT MON MAR 23 2026  
   
TODAY
 
NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS, BECOMING  
VARIABLE. SEAS AROUND 1 FOOT. NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH.    
TONIGHT
 
NORTH WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND 1 FOOT.  
NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH TO A LIGHT CHOP.    
TUESDAY
 
NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND 1  
FOOT. NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH TO A LIGHT CHOP.    
TUESDAY NIGHT
 
NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS. SEAS 1  
FOOT OR LESS. NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH.    
WEDNESDAY
 
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND 1  
FOOT. NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH TO A LIGHT CHOP.    
WEDNESDAY NIGHT
 
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS,  
INCREASING TO NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND 1 FOOT, BUILDING TO 1 TO  
2 FEET. NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH TO A LIGHT CHOP, BECOMING A LIGHT  
CHOP.   
THURSDAY
 
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND 1  
FOOT. NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH TO A LIGHT CHOP. A SLIGHT CHANCE OF  
SHOWERS.    
THURSDAY NIGHT
 
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS  
AROUND 1 FOOT. NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH TO A LIGHT CHOP.    
FRIDAY
 
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND  
1 FOOT. NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH TO A LIGHT CHOP.    
FRIDAY NIGHT
 
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO  
2 FEET. NEARSHORE WATERS A LIGHT CHOP.  
 

 
 
GMZ042>044-232045-  
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-  
433 AM EDT MON MAR 23 2026  
   
TODAY
 
NORTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND 1 FOOT.  
NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH TO A LIGHT CHOP.    
TONIGHT
 
NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND 1  
FOOT. NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH TO A LIGHT CHOP.    
TUESDAY
 
NORTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND 1 FOOT.  
NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH TO A LIGHT CHOP.    
TUESDAY NIGHT
 
NORTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND  
1 FOOT. NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH TO A LIGHT CHOP.    
WEDNESDAY
 
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND  
1 FOOT. NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH TO A LIGHT CHOP.    
WEDNESDAY NIGHT
 
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS,  
INCREASING TO NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND 1 FOOT, BUILDING TO 1 TO  
2 FEET. NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH TO A LIGHT CHOP, BECOMING A LIGHT  
CHOP.   
THURSDAY
 
NORTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO 2 FEET.  
NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH TO A LIGHT CHOP. A SLIGHT CHANCE OF  
SHOWERS.    
THURSDAY NIGHT
 
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS  
1 TO 2 FEET. NEARSHORE WATERS A LIGHT CHOP.    
FRIDAY
 
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO  
2 FEET. NEARSHORE WATERS A LIGHT CHOP.    
FRIDAY NIGHT
 
NORTHEAST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO 2 FEET.  
NEARSHORE WATERS A LIGHT TO MODERATE CHOP.  
 

 
 
GMZ052>055-072>075-232045-  
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-  
433 AM EDT MON MAR 23 2026  
   
TODAY
 
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO 2 FEET.  
WAVE DETAIL: NORTHEAST TO EAST 2 FEET AT 4 SECONDS.    
TONIGHT
 
NORTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO 2 FEET. WAVE  
DETAIL: NORTHEAST TO EAST 1 FOOT AT 4 SECONDS.    
TUESDAY
 
NORTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO 2 FEET. WAVE  
DETAIL: NORTHEAST 1 FOOT AT 3 SECONDS.    
TUESDAY NIGHT
 
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO  
2 FEET.    
WEDNESDAY
 
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO 3  
FEET.    
WEDNESDAY NIGHT
 
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS. SEAS  
2 TO 3 FEET.    
THURSDAY
 
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO  
3 FEET. A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS.    
THURSDAY NIGHT
 
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS. SEAS  
2 TO 3 FEET.    
FRIDAY
 
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO  
3 FEET.    
FRIDAY NIGHT
 
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS NEAR 15 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO  
4 FEET, OCCASIONALLY TO 5 FEET. A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND  
THUNDERSTORMS.  
 

 
 
GMZ033-034-232045-  
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-  
433 AM EDT MON MAR 23 2026  
   
TODAY
 
NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND 1  
FOOT.   
TONIGHT
 
NORTH WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND 1 FOOT. WAVE  
DETAIL: NORTHWEST TO NORTH 1 FOOT AT 3 SECONDS.    
TUESDAY
 
NORTH WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND 1 FOOT. WAVE  
DETAIL: NORTH TO NORTHEAST 1 FOOT AT 3 SECONDS.    
TUESDAY NIGHT
 
NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS  
AROUND 1 FOOT.    
WEDNESDAY
 
EAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND 1 FOOT.    
WEDNESDAY NIGHT
 
NORTHEAST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO 2  
FEET.   
THURSDAY
 
NORTHEAST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO 2 FEET.    
THURSDAY NIGHT
 
NORTHEAST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO 2 FEET.   
FRIDAY
 
NORTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND 1 FOOT.    
FRIDAY NIGHT
 
NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS  
AROUND 1 FOOT.  
 

 
 
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