FZUS52 KKEY 160826 CWFKEY Coastal Waters Forecast for the Florida Keys National Weather Service Key West FL 426 AM EDT Fri Oct 16 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. GMZ005-162030- Synopsis for Keys coastal waters from Ocean Reef to Dry Tortugas 426 AM EDT Fri Oct 16 2026 .SYNOPSIS... High pressure over the southeastern United States and Atlantic will shift eastward while a frontal system develops and sweeps southeastward across the country. Breezes are on track to slacken from gentle to moderate to light to gentle, possibly variable, tonight. While breezes slacken and veer northeasterly, shower coverage is expected to increase across the nearshore and offshore waters. The cold front associated with this frontal system is forecast to reach our Gulf waters on Saturday night. Breezes are on track to freshen rapidly alongside squally conditions. A Small Craft Advisory will likely be required for part of or all the Florida Keys waters by late in the weekend. Fresh, occasionally strong, northeasterly breezes are expected to persist through the start of the week. The Approximate Shoreward Edge of the Gulf Stream as of October 9, 2026... 53 NM south-southeast of Dry Tortugas Light, on Loggerhead Key 33 NM south-southeast of Cosgrove Shoal Light, off the Marquesas Keys 24 NM south-southeast of Sand Key Light, off Key West 19 NM south-southeast of Looe Key, off Big Pine Key 13 NM south-southeast of Sombrero Key Light, off Marathon 5 NM south-southeast of Alligator Reef Light, off Islamorada 2 NM east of Molasses Reef Light, off Key Largo 2 NM east of Carysfort Reef Light, off Ocean Reef Gulf Stream Information Courtesy of the Naval Oceanographic Office. $$ GMZ031-162030- Florida Bay including Barnes Sound, Blackwater Sound, and Buttonwood Sound- 426 AM EDT Fri Oct 16 2026 .TODAY...East to southeast winds near 10 knots, decreasing to 5 to 10 knots in the afternoon. Bay waters a light chop, becoming smooth to a light chop. A chance of showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms. .TONIGHT...Northeast to east winds near 5 knots. Bay waters smooth. Showers likely with a slight chance of thunderstorms. .SATURDAY...North to northeast winds near 5 knots, becoming north and increasing to 5 to 10 knots in the afternoon. Bay waters smooth, becoming smooth to a light chop. Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms. .SATURDAY NIGHT...North to northeast winds 10 to 15 knots, increasing to near 20 knots. Bay waters a light to moderate chop, becoming rough. Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms. .SUNDAY...Northeast winds 15 to 20 knots, increasing to near 20 knots. Bay waters choppy, becoming rough. Showers with a chance of thunderstorms. .SUNDAY NIGHT...Northeast winds 20 to 25 knots. Bay waters very rough. A chance of showers and thunderstorms. .MONDAY...Northeast winds 20 to 25 knots. Bay waters very rough. A chance of showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms. .MONDAY NIGHT...Northeast winds 20 to 25 knots, decreasing to near 20 knots. Bay waters very rough, becoming rough. A slight chance of showers. .TUESDAY...Northeast winds near 20 knots. Bay waters rough. A chance of showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms. .TUESDAY NIGHT...Northeast winds 20 to 25 knots. Bay waters very rough. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. $$ GMZ032-035-162030- 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- 426 AM EDT Fri Oct 16 2026 .TODAY...East to southeast winds 10 to 15 knots, decreasing to 5 to 10 knots in the afternoon. Seas 1 foot or less. Nearshore waters a light to moderate chop, becoming smooth to a light chop. A chance of showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms. .TONIGHT...Northeast to east winds near 5 knots. Seas 1 foot or less. Nearshore waters smooth. A chance of showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms. .SATURDAY...North to northeast winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming north near 10 knots. Seas 1 foot or less. Nearshore waters smooth to a light chop, becoming a light chop. Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms. .SATURDAY NIGHT...North to northeast winds near 15 knots, becoming northeast 20 to 25 knots. Seas 1 to 2 feet, building to 2 to 4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet after midnight. Nearshore waters a moderate chop, becoming very rough. Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms. .SUNDAY...Northeast winds 20 to 25 knots. Seas 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet, except 5 to 7 feet, occasionally to 9 feet west of the Marquesas Keys. Nearshore waters very rough. Showers with a chance of thunderstorms. .SUNDAY NIGHT...Northeast winds 20 to 25 knots. Seas 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet, except 5 to 7 feet, occasionally to 9 feet west of the Marquesas Keys. Nearshore waters very rough. A chance of showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms. .MONDAY...Northeast winds 20 to 25 knots. Seas 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet, except 6 to 8 feet, occasionally to 10 feet west of the Marquesas Keys. Nearshore waters very rough. A chance of showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms. .MONDAY NIGHT...Northeast winds 20 to 25 knots. Seas 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet, except 5 to 7 feet, occasionally to 9 feet west of the Marquesas Keys. Nearshore waters very rough. A chance of showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms. .TUESDAY...Northeast winds 20 to 25 knots. Seas 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet, except 5 to 7 feet, occasionally to 9 feet west of the Marquesas Keys. Nearshore waters very rough. A chance of showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms. .TUESDAY NIGHT...Northeast winds 20 to 25 knots. Seas 2 to 4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet, except 4 to 6 feet, occasionally to 7 feet west of the Marquesas Keys. Nearshore waters very rough. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. $$ GMZ042>044-162030- 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- 426 AM EDT Fri Oct 16 2026 .TODAY...East to southeast winds 10 to 15 knots, decreasing to 5 to 10 knots in the afternoon. Seas 1 to 2 feet. Nearshore waters a light to moderate chop, becoming smooth to a light chop. A chance of showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms. .TONIGHT...East winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas 1 to 2 feet. Nearshore waters smooth to a light chop. A chance of showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms. .SATURDAY...North to northeast winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming north near 10 knots. Seas around 1 foot. Nearshore waters smooth to a light chop, becoming a light chop. Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms. .SATURDAY NIGHT...North to northeast winds 10 to 15 knots, becoming northeast near 20 knots after midnight. Seas 1 to 2 feet. West of Cosgrove Shoal Light, seas 1 to 2 feet, building to 2 to 4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet. Nearshore waters a light to moderate chop, becoming rough. Showers with a chance of thunderstorms. .SUNDAY...Northeast winds 20 to 25 knots. Seas 2 to 4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet, except 4 to 6 feet, occasionally to 8 feet west of Cosgrove Shoal Light. Nearshore waters very rough. Showers with a chance of thunderstorms. .SUNDAY NIGHT...Northeast winds 20 to 25 knots. Seas 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet, except 5 to 7 feet, occasionally to 9 feet west of Cosgrove Shoal Light. Nearshore waters very rough. Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms. .MONDAY...Northeast winds 20 to 25 knots. Seas 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet, except 5 to 7 feet, occasionally to 9 feet west of Cosgrove Shoal Light. Nearshore waters very rough. Showers likely with a slight chance of thunderstorms. .MONDAY NIGHT...Northeast winds 20 to 25 knots. Seas 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet, except 5 to 6 feet, occasionally to 8 feet west of Cosgrove Shoal Light. Nearshore waters very rough. A chance of showers and thunderstorms. .TUESDAY...Northeast winds 20 to 25 knots. Seas 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet, except 5 to 7 feet, occasionally to 9 feet west of Cosgrove Shoal Light. Nearshore waters very rough. A chance of showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms. .TUESDAY NIGHT...Northeast winds 20 to 25 knots. Seas 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet. Nearshore waters very rough. A chance of showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms. $$ GMZ052>055-072>075-162030- 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- 426 AM EDT Fri Oct 16 2026 .TODAY...East to southeast winds 10 to 15 knots, decreasing to near 10 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Wave Detail: East 3 feet at 5 seconds. A chance of showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms. .TONIGHT...East winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas 1 to 2 feet. Wave Detail: East 2 feet at 5 seconds. A chance of showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms. .SATURDAY...Northeast winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming north near 10 knots. Seas around 1 foot, building to 1 to 2 feet. Wave Detail: East 1 foot at 4 seconds.A chance of showers and thunderstorms. .SATURDAY NIGHT...North to northeast winds 10 to 15 knots, becoming northeast and increasing to 15 to 20 knots after midnight. Seas 2 to 3 feet, building to 2 to 4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet after midnight. Showers with a chance of thunderstorms. .SUNDAY...Northeast winds near 20 knots. Seas 5 to 7 feet, occasionally to 9 feet. Showers with a chance of thunderstorms. .SUNDAY NIGHT...Northeast to east winds 20 to 25 knots. Seas 6 to 9 feet, occasionally to 11 feet. Showers with a chance of thunderstorms. .MONDAY...Northeast to east winds 20 to 25 knots. Seas 7 to 9 feet, occasionally to 11 feet. A chance of thunderstorms. Showers likely. .MONDAY NIGHT...Northeast winds 20 to 25 knots. Seas 6 to 9 feet, occasionally to 11 feet. Showers likely with a slight chance of thunderstorms. .TUESDAY...Northeast winds 20 to 25 knots. Seas 6 to 9 feet, occasionally to 11 feet. Showers likely with a slight chance of thunderstorms. .TUESDAY NIGHT...Northeast winds near 20 knots. Seas 6 to 8 feet, occasionally to 10 feet. A chance of showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms. $$ GMZ033-034-162030- Gulf of America from East Cape Sable to Chokoloskee 20 to 60 NM out and beyond 5 fathoms- Gulf of America including Dry Tortugas and Rebecca Shoal Channel-426 AM EDT Fri Oct 16 2026 .TODAY...East to southeast winds 10 to 15 knots, decreasing to 5 to 10 knots. Seas 1 to 2 feet. Wave Detail: East to southeast 2 feet at 4 seconds. A chance of showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms. .TONIGHT...Northeast to east winds near 5 knots. Seas subsiding to 1 foot or less. Wave Detail: Northeast to east 1 foot at 3 seconds. Showers likely with a slight chance of thunderstorms. .SATURDAY...North to northeast winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming north 10 to 15 knots. Seas 1 foot or less, building to 1 to 2 feet late. Wave Detail: Northeast to east 1 foot at 3 seconds. Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms. .SATURDAY NIGHT...North to northeast winds 15 to 20 knots, becoming northeast 20 to 25 knots after midnight. Seas 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet, building to 5 to 7 feet, occasionally to 9 feet. Showers with a chance of thunderstorms. .SUNDAY...Northeast winds 20 to 25 knots. Seas 5 to 8 feet, occasionally to 10 feet. Showers with a chance of thunderstorms. .SUNDAY NIGHT...Northeast winds 25 to 30 knots. Seas 6 to 9 feet, occasionally to 11 feet. A chance of showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms. .MONDAY...Northeast winds 20 to 25 knots. Seas 6 to 9 feet, occasionally to 11 feet. A chance of showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms. .MONDAY NIGHT...Northeast winds 20 to 25 knots. Seas 5 to 7 feet, occasionally to 9 feet. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. .TUESDAY...Northeast winds near 25 knots, becoming 15 to 20 knots in the afternoon. Seas 5 to 7 feet, occasionally to 9 feet. A slight chance of showers. .TUESDAY NIGHT...Northeast winds 20 to 25 knots. Seas 4 to 6 feet, occasionally to 8 feet. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. $$