768  
FZUS52 KKEY 240818  
CWFKEY  
 
COASTAL WATERS FORECAST FOR THE FLORIDA KEYS  
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE KEY WEST FL  
418 AM EDT FRI JUL 24 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.  
 
GMZ005-242030-  
SYNOPSIS FOR KEYS COASTAL WATERS FROM OCEAN REEF TO DRY TORTUGAS  
418 AM EDT FRI JUL 24 2026  
   
SYNOPSIS
 
AN EASTERLY WAVE IS CURRENTLY MOVING THROUGH THE  
FLORIDA KEYS, BRINGING AN ENHANCED COVERAGE OF SHOWERS AND  
THUNDERSTORMS THIS MORNING. GENTLE TO MODERATE BREEZES THIS  
MORNING WILL EASE TO LIGHT TO GENTLE BY THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING.  
BEHIND THIS FEATURE, A COL WILL DEVELOP ACROSS THE REGION BY  
SATURDAY, LEADING TO A BRIEF PERIOD OF LIGHT AND VARIABLE WINDS.  
THEREAFTER, BREEZES WILL FRESHEN TO GENTLE BREEZES AND BACK TO THE  
WEST TO NORTHWEST AS A SURFACE TROUGH DEVELOPS SUNDAY. BREEZES  
WILL RETURN FROM THE SOUTHWEST AND WEST AS THE TROUGH MOVES EAST  
OF THE FLORIDA PENINSULA EARLY NEXT WEEK.  
 
THE APPROXIMATE SHOREWARD EDGE OF THE GULF STREAM AS OF JULY 17,  
2026...  
 
49 NM SOUTH OF DRY TORTUGAS LIGHT...ON LOGGERHEAD KEY.  
51 NM SOUTH OF COSGROVE SHOAL LIGHT...OFF THE MARQUESAS KEYS.  
38 NM SOUTH OF SAND KEY LIGHT...OFF KEY WEST.  
22 NM SOUTH OF LOOE KEY...OFF BIG PINE KEY.  
13 NM SOUTH OF SOMBRERO KEY LIGHT...OFF MARATHON.  
6 NM SOUTHEAST OF ALLIGATOR REEF LIGHT...OFF ISLAMORADA.  
2 NM SOUTHEAST OF MOLASSES REEF LIGHT...OFF KEY LARGO.  
1 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.  
 

 
 
GMZ031-242030-  
FLORIDA BAY INCLUDING BARNES SOUND, BLACKWATER SOUND, AND  
BUTTONWOOD SOUND-  
418 AM EDT FRI JUL 24 2026  
   
TODAY
 
EAST TO SOUTHEAST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS. BAY WATERS A  
LIGHT CHOP. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, MAINLY THIS  
MORNING. BAY WATERS ROUGH AND WINDS HIGHER IN AND AROUND  
THUNDERSTORMS.   
TONIGHT
 
EAST TO SOUTHEAST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS, DECREASING TO 5  
TO 10 KNOTS. BAY WATERS A LIGHT CHOP, BECOMING SMOOTH TO A LIGHT  
CHOP. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS WITH A SLIGHT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS.    
SATURDAY
 
SOUTHEAST TO SOUTH WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS, BECOMING  
SOUTHWEST TO WEST NEAR 5 KNOTS. BAY WATERS SMOOTH TO A LIGHT  
CHOP, BECOMING SMOOTH. A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND  
THUNDERSTORMS.    
SATURDAY NIGHT
 
SOUTHWEST TO WEST WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS. BAY  
WATERS SMOOTH. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS WITH A SLIGHT CHANCE OF  
THUNDERSTORMS.    
SUNDAY
 
SOUTHWEST TO WEST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS, BECOMING WEST TO  
NORTHWEST NEAR 10 KNOTS. BAY WATERS SMOOTH TO A LIGHT CHOP,  
BECOMING A LIGHT CHOP. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.    
SUNDAY NIGHT
 
WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS. BAY WATERS  
A LIGHT CHOP. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.    
MONDAY
 
WEST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS. BAY WATERS A LIGHT CHOP. A  
CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.    
MONDAY NIGHT
 
SOUTHWEST TO WEST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS. BAY WATERS  
A LIGHT CHOP. SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS LIKELY.    
TUESDAY
 
SOUTHWEST TO WEST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS. BAY WATERS A  
LIGHT TO MODERATE CHOP. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.    
TUESDAY NIGHT
 
SOUTHWEST TO WEST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS. BAY  
WATERS A LIGHT TO MODERATE CHOP. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND  
THUNDERSTORMS.  
 

 
 
GMZ032-035-242030-  
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-  
418 AM EDT FRI JUL 24 2026  
   
TODAY
 
EAST TO SOUTHEAST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO 2 FEET.  
WEST OF THE MARQUESAS KEYS, SEAS 2 TO 3 FEET, SUBSIDING TO AROUND  
2 FEET. NEARSHORE WATERS A LIGHT CHOP. SHOWERS LIKELY WITH A  
CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS THIS MORNING, THEN A SLIGHT CHANCE OF  
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON. WINDS AND SEAS HIGHER IN  
AND AROUND THUNDERSTORMS.   
TONIGHT
 
EAST TO SOUTHEAST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO 2  
FEET. NEARSHORE WATERS A LIGHT CHOP. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS WITH A  
SLIGHT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS.    
SATURDAY
 
SOUTHEAST TO SOUTH WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS, BECOMING  
VARIABLE NEAR 5 KNOTS IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS AROUND 1 FOOT,  
SUBSIDING TO 1 FOOT OR LESS. NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH TO A LIGHT  
CHOP. A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.    
SATURDAY NIGHT
 
WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS, BECOMING  
SOUTHWEST TO WEST. SEAS 1 FOOT OR LESS. NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH.  
A CHANCE OF SHOWERS WITH A SLIGHT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS.    
SUNDAY
 
WEST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS, BECOMING WEST TO NORTHWEST  
NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS 1 FOOT OR LESS, BUILDING TO AROUND 1 FOOT.  
NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH TO A LIGHT CHOP, BECOMING A LIGHT CHOP. A  
CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.   
SUNDAY NIGHT
 
WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND  
1 FOOT. NEARSHORE WATERS A LIGHT CHOP. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND  
THUNDERSTORMS.    
MONDAY
 
WEST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND 1 FOOT. NEARSHORE  
WATERS A LIGHT CHOP. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.    
MONDAY NIGHT
 
WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS, BECOMING  
SOUTHWEST TO WEST. SEAS 1 FOOT OR LESS. NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH  
TO A LIGHT CHOP. SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS LIKELY.    
TUESDAY
 
SOUTHWEST TO WEST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND  
1 FOOT. NEARSHORE WATERS A LIGHT CHOP. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND  
THUNDERSTORMS.    
TUESDAY NIGHT
 
SOUTHWEST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND 1 FOOT.  
NEARSHORE WATERS A LIGHT CHOP. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND  
THUNDERSTORMS.  
 

 
 
GMZ042>044-242030-  
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-  
418 AM EDT FRI JUL 24 2026  
   
TODAY
 
EAST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS EARLY, BECOMING EAST TO  
SOUTHEAST NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO 3 FEET, SUBSIDING TO 1 TO 2  
FEET. NEARSHORE WATERS A LIGHT TO MODERATE CHOP, BECOMING A LIGHT  
CHOP. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, MAINLY THIS MORNING.  
WINDS AND SEAS HIGHER IN AND AROUND THUNDERSTORMS.   
TONIGHT
 
EAST TO SOUTHEAST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO  
2 FEET. NEARSHORE WATERS A LIGHT CHOP. A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS  
AND THUNDERSTORMS.    
SATURDAY
 
SOUTHEAST TO SOUTH WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS, BECOMING  
SOUTHWEST TO WEST NEAR 5 KNOTS IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS AROUND 1  
FOOT. NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH TO A LIGHT CHOP, BECOMING SMOOTH. A  
SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.    
SATURDAY NIGHT
 
VARIABLE WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS, BECOMING SOUTHWEST  
TO WEST. SEAS AROUND 1 FOOT. NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH. A SLIGHT  
CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.    
SUNDAY
 
SOUTHWEST TO WEST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS, BECOMING WEST TO  
NORTHWEST NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND 1 FOOT. NEARSHORE WATERS  
SMOOTH TO A LIGHT CHOP, BECOMING A LIGHT CHOP. A CHANCE OF  
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.   
SUNDAY NIGHT
 
WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS  
AROUND 1 FOOT. NEARSHORE WATERS A LIGHT CHOP. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS  
AND THUNDERSTORMS.    
MONDAY
 
WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND  
1 FOOT. NEARSHORE WATERS A LIGHT CHOP. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND  
THUNDERSTORMS.    
MONDAY NIGHT
 
SOUTHWEST TO WEST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS  
AROUND 1 FOOT. NEARSHORE WATERS SMOOTH TO A LIGHT CHOP. A CHANCE  
OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.    
TUESDAY
 
SOUTHWEST TO WEST 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.  
A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.   
TUESDAY NIGHT
 
SOUTHWEST TO WEST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS,  
BECOMING SOUTH TO SOUTHWEST. SEAS 1 TO 2 FEET. NEARSHORE WATERS A  
LIGHT TO MODERATE CHOP. A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND  
THUNDERSTORMS.  
 

 
 
GMZ052>055-072>075-242030-  
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-  
418 AM EDT FRI JUL 24 2026  
   
TODAY
 
EAST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS, BECOMING EAST TO SOUTHEAST  
NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS 3 TO 4 FEET, OCCASIONALLY TO 5 FEET, SUBSIDING  
TO 2 TO 3 FEET. WAVE DETAIL: EAST 3 FEET AT 5 SECONDS AND WEST 1  
FOOT AT 7 SECONDS. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, MAINLY  
THIS MORNING. WINDS AND SEAS HIGHER IN AND AROUND THUNDERSTORMS.   
TONIGHT
 
EAST TO SOUTHEAST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS 2 TO  
3 FEET, SUBSIDING TO AROUND 2 FEET. WAVE DETAIL: EAST 2 FEET AT 5  
SECONDS AND WEST 1 FOOT AT 7 SECONDS. A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS  
AND THUNDERSTORMS.   
SATURDAY
 
SOUTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS, BECOMING NORTHEAST IN  
THE AFTERNOON. SEAS 1 TO 2 FEET. WAVE DETAIL: EAST TO SOUTHEAST  
2 FEET AT 4 SECONDS AND WEST 1 FOOT AT 7 SECONDS. A SLIGHT CHANCE  
OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.    
SATURDAY NIGHT
 
NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS, BECOMING  
SOUTH TO SOUTHWEST. SEAS AROUND 1 FOOT. A SLIGHT CHANCE OF  
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.    
SUNDAY
 
SOUTHWEST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS, BECOMING BECOMING WEST  
TO NORTHWEST NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND 1 FOOT. A SLIGHT CHANCE  
OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.   
SUNDAY NIGHT
 
WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS, BECOMING  
SOUTHWEST TO WEST 5 TO 10 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND 1 FOOT. A CHANCE OF  
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.   
MONDAY
 
WEST TO SOUTHWEST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS, BECOMING WEST TO  
NORTHWEST NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND 1 FOOT. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS  
AND THUNDERSTORMS.   
MONDAY NIGHT
 
WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS, BECOMING  
SOUTHWEST TO WEST. SEAS AROUND 1 FOOT. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND  
THUNDERSTORMS.    
TUESDAY
 
SOUTHWEST TO WEST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS, INCREASING TO 10  
TO 15 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO 2 FEET. A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND  
THUNDERSTORMS.   
TUESDAY NIGHT
 
SOUTHWEST TO WEST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS, BECOMING  
SOUTH TO SOUTHWEST. SEAS 1 TO 2 FEET. A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS  
AND THUNDERSTORMS.  
 

 
 
GMZ033-034-242030-  
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-  
418 AM EDT FRI JUL 24 2026  
   
TODAY
 
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS, DECREASING TO 5  
TO 10 KNOTS THIS AFTERNOON. SEAS 2 TO 3 FEET, SUBSIDING TO 1 TO 2  
FEET. WAVE DETAIL: EAST 2 FEET AT 4 SECONDS AND WEST TO NORTHWEST  
2 FEET AT 7 SECONDS. SHOWERS LIKELY WITH A CHANCE OF  
THUNDERSTORMS THIS MORNING, THEN A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND  
THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON. WINDS AND SEAS HIGHER IN AND AROUND  
THUNDERSTORMS.   
TONIGHT
 
NORTHEAST TO EAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS, BECOMING EAST  
TO SOUTHEAST NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO 2 FEET. WAVE DETAIL:  
EAST 1 FOOT AT 3 SECONDS AND WEST 1 FOOT AT 7 SECONDS. A CHANCE OF  
SHOWERS WITH A SLIGHT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS.    
SATURDAY
 
SOUTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS, BECOMING WEST TO  
NORTHWEST NEAR 5 KNOTS IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS AROUND 1 FOOT. WAVE  
DETAIL: EAST TO SOUTHEAST 1 FOOT AT 3 SECONDS AND WEST 1 FOOT AT  
6 SECONDS. A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.    
SATURDAY NIGHT
 
NORTHWEST TO NORTH WINDS NEAR 5 KNOTS, BECOMING  
WEST TO NORTHWEST. SEAS AROUND 1 FOOT. A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS  
AND THUNDERSTORMS.    
SUNDAY
 
WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS, BECOMING  
NORTHWEST NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND 1 FOOT. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS  
AND THUNDERSTORMS.    
SUNDAY NIGHT
 
NORTHWEST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS AROUND 1  
FOOT. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.    
MONDAY
 
WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO 2 FEET.  
A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.    
MONDAY NIGHT
 
WEST TO NORTHWEST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS, BECOMING  
SOUTHWEST TO WEST. SEAS AROUND 1 FOOT. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND  
THUNDERSTORMS.   
TUESDAY
 
SOUTHWEST TO WEST WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS, INCREASING TO  
NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO 2 FEET. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND  
THUNDERSTORMS.   
TUESDAY NIGHT
 
SOUTHWEST WINDS NEAR 10 KNOTS. SEAS 1 TO 2 FEET.  
A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.  
 

 
 
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