National Weather Service Marine Forecast FZUS52 KKEY

FZUS52 KKEY 151528
CWFKEY

Coastal Waters Forecast for the Florida Keys
National Weather Service Key West FL
1028 AM EST Thu Jan 15 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.

GMZ005-160330
Synopsis for Keys coastal waters from Ocean Reef to Dry Tortugas 1028 AM EST Thu Jan 15 2026

SYNOPSIS
A strong cold front will continue to push through the Keys marine zones today. Breezes will become strong, with frequent near gale gusts late this morning through early this evening. High pressure will quickly slide eastward across the Southeast behind the front, supporting rapidly slackening breezes for Friday through Saturday clocking around to the northeast. The next cold front is progged to push through the Florida Keys coastal waters on Sunday or Sunday night.

The Approximate Shoreward Edge of the Gulf Stream as of January 12...

19 NM South of Dry Tortugas Light...on Loggerhead Key. 13 NM South of Cosgrove Shoal Light...off the Marquesas Keys. 15 NM South of Sand Key Light...off Key West. 17 NM South of Looe Key...off Big Pine Key. 17 NM Southeast of Sombrero Key Light...off Marathon. 15 NM Southeast of Alligator Reef Light...off Islamorada. 10 NM Southeast of Molasses Reef Light...off Key Largo. 5 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.


GMZ031-160330
Florida Bay including Barnes Sound, Blackwater Sound, and Buttonwood Sound
1028 AM EST Thu Jan 15 2026

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT

THIS AFTERNOON
West winds 15 to 20 knots, becoming northwest 25 to 30 knots. Bay waters choppy, becoming extremely rough. Numerous showers and isolated thunderstorms.

TONIGHT
Northwest to north winds near 25 knots, becoming north near 20 knots after midnight. Bay waters extremely rough, becoming rough.

FRIDAY
North to northeast winds 15 to 20 knots, becoming northeast to east near 10 knots in the afternoon. Bay waters choppy, becoming a light chop.

FRIDAY NIGHT
Northeast to east winds 10 to 15 knots, decreasing to near 10 knots. Bay waters a light to moderate chop, becoming a light chop. Isolated showers.

SATURDAY
Northeast winds near 10 knots, decreasing to 5 to 10 knots. Bay waters a light chop, becoming smooth to a light chop. Isolated showers.

SATURDAY NIGHT
North to northeast winds 5 to 10 knots, decreasing to near 5 knots. Bay waters smooth to a light chop, becoming smooth. Isolated showers.

SUNDAY
Northwest to north winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming west to northwest 15 to 20 knots in the afternoon. Bay waters smooth to a light chop, becoming choppy. Isolated showers.

SUNDAY NIGHT
Northwest to north winds 15 to 20 knots. Bay waters choppy.

MONDAY
North winds near 15 knots, decreasing to near 10 knots. Bay waters a moderate chop, becoming a light chop.

MONDAY NIGHT
North to northeast winds 10 to 15 knots, increasing to near 15 knots. Bay waters a light to moderate chop, becoming a moderate chop.


GMZ032-035-160330
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 Thu Jan 15 2026

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT

THIS AFTERNOON
West to northwest winds 15 to 20 knots, becoming northwest near 30 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet, building to 4 to 6 feet, occasionally to 8 feet. West of the Marquesas Keys, seas 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet, building to 7 to 9 feet, occasionally to 11 feet. Nearshore waters choppy, becoming extremely rough. Numerous showers and isolated thunderstorms.

TONIGHT
Northwest to north winds 25 to 30 knots, becoming north to northeast near 20 knots. Seas 4 to 6 feet, occasionally to 8 feet, except 7 to 10 feet, occasionally to 13 feet west of the Marquesas Keys. Nearshore waters extremely rough, becoming rough.

FRIDAY
North to northeast winds 15 to 20 knots, becoming northeast to east near 10 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 4 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet. Nearshore waters choppy, becoming a light chop.

FRIDAY NIGHT
Northeast to east winds 10 to 15 knots, decreasing to near 10 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet, except 3 to 4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet west of the Marquesas Keys. Nearshore waters a light to moderate chop, becoming a light chop. Isolated showers.

SATURDAY
North to northeast 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. Isolated showers.

SATURDAY NIGHT
North to northeast winds near 10 knots, decreasing to 5 to 10 knots. Seas 1 to 2 feet, except around 2 feet west of the Marquesas Keys. Nearshore waters a light chop, becoming smooth to a light chop. Isolated showers.

SUNDAY
Northwest to north winds near 10 knots, becoming northwest near 20 knots in the afternoon. Seas around 1 foot, building to 2 to 3 feet. Nearshore waters a light chop, becoming rough. Isolated showers.

SUNDAY NIGHT
North winds 20 to 25 knots, becoming north 15 to 20 knots. Seas 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet. West of the Marquesas Keys, seas 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet, building to 5 to 6 feet, occasionally to 8 feet. Nearshore waters very rough, becoming choppy.

MONDAY
North winds 15 to 20 knots, becoming north to northeast 10 to 15 knots in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet, except 5 to 7 feet, occasionally to 9 feet west of the Marquesas Keys. Nearshore waters choppy, becoming a light to moderate chop.

MONDAY NIGHT
North to northeast winds 10 to 15 knots, increasing to near 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet, except 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet west of the Marquesas Keys. Nearshore waters a light to moderate chop, becoming a moderate chop.


GMZ042>044-160330
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 Thu Jan 15 2026

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT

THIS AFTERNOON
West winds 15 to 20 knots, becoming northwest near 30 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet, building to 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet. West of Cosgrove Shoal Light, seas 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet, building to 6 to 9 feet, occasionally to 11 feet. Nearshore waters choppy, becoming extremely rough. Numerous showers and isolated thunderstorms.

TONIGHT
Northwest to north winds 25 to 30 knots, becoming north to northeast near 20 knots. Seas 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet, except 7 to 9 feet, occasionally to 11 feet west of Cosgrove Shoal Light. Nearshore waters extremely rough, becoming rough.

FRIDAY
North to northeast winds near 20 knots, becoming northeast to east near 10 knots in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet, subsiding to 2 to 3 feet. West of Cosgrove Shoal Light, seas 4 to 6 feet, occasionally to 8 feet, subsiding to 3 to 4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet. Nearshore waters rough, becoming a light chop.

FRIDAY NIGHT
Northeast to east winds 10 to 15 knots, decreasing to near 10 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet, except 3 to 4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet west of Cosgrove Shoal Light. Nearshore waters a light to moderate chop, becoming a light chop. Isolated showers.

SATURDAY
Northeast winds 10 to 15 knots, becoming north to northeast. Seas 1 to 2 feet, except around 3 feet west of Cosgrove Shoal Light. Nearshore waters a light to moderate chop. Isolated showers.

SATURDAY NIGHT
North to northeast winds 10 to 15 knots, becoming north 5 to 10 knots after midnight. Seas 1 to 2 feet. Nearshore waters a light to moderate chop, becoming smooth to a light chop. Isolated showers.

SUNDAY
Northwest to north winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming northwest near 20 knots in the afternoon. Seas 1 to 2 feet, building to around 2 feet, except building to 3 to 4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet west of Cosgrove Shoal Light. Nearshore waters smooth to a light chop, becoming rough. Isolated showers.

SUNDAY NIGHT
Northwest to north winds 20 to 25 knots, becoming north 15 to 20 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. West of Cosgrove Shoal Light, seas 3 to 4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet, building to 5 to 6 feet, occasionally to 8 feet. Nearshore waters very rough, becoming choppy.

MONDAY
North winds 15 to 20 knots, becoming north to northeast 10 to 15 knots in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 3 feet, except 5 to 6 feet, occasionally to 8 feet west of Cosgrove Shoal Light. Nearshore waters choppy, becoming a light to moderate chop.

MONDAY NIGHT
North to northeast winds near 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet, except 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet west of Cosgrove Shoal Light. Nearshore waters a moderate chop.


GMZ052>055-072>075-160330
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 Thu Jan 15 2026

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT

THIS AFTERNOON
West to northwest winds near 20 knots, becoming northwest near 30 knots. Seas 4 to 6 feet, occasionally to 8 feet, building to 7 to 10 feet, occasionally to 13 feet. Wave Detail: West 5 feet at 5 seconds, becoming west to northwest 8 feet at 7 seconds. Widespread showers and isolated thunderstorms.

TONIGHT
Northwest to north winds near 30 knots, becoming north to northeast 20 to 25 knots after midnight. Seas 7 to 10 feet, occasionally to 13 feet, subsiding to 6 to 9 feet, occasionally to 11 feet. Wave Detail: Northwest to north 8 feet at 6 seconds.

FRIDAY
North to northeast winds near 20 knots, becoming northeast to east 10 to 15 knots in the afternoon. Seas 5 to 7 feet, occasionally to 9 feet, subsiding to 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to 7 feet. Wave Detail: North to northeast 5 feet at 6 seconds and west to northwest 5 feet at 8 seconds.

FRIDAY NIGHT
Northeast to east winds 10 to 15 knots, decreasing to near 10 knots after midnight. Seas 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet, subsiding to 2 to 4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet. Isolated showers.

SATURDAY
Northeast winds near 10 knots, increasing to 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet. Isolated showers.

SATURDAY NIGHT
Northeast winds 10 to 15 knots, becoming north to northeast 5 to 10 knots after midnight. Seas 2 to 3 feet, subsiding to around 2 feet. Isolated showers.

SUNDAY
Northwest to north winds near 15 knots, becoming northwest 15 to 20 knots in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 3 feet, building to 3 to 4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet. Isolated showers.

SUNDAY NIGHT
Northwest to north winds 20 to 25 knots, increasing to near 20 knots. Seas 4 to 7 feet, occasionally to 8 feet. Isolated showers.

MONDAY
North winds 20 to 25 knots, decreasing to 15 to 20 knots. Seas 4 to 7 feet, occasionally to 8 feet.

MONDAY NIGHT
North winds 15 to 20 knots, decreasing to near 15 knots. Seas 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet. Isolated showers.


GMZ033-034-160330
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 Thu Jan 15 2026

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT

THIS AFTERNOON
West to northwest winds 20 to 25 knots, becoming northwest to north near 30 knots. Seas 5 to 7 feet, occasionally to 9 feet, building to 7 to 10 feet, occasionally to 13 feet. Wave Detail: West 7 feet at 6 seconds, becoming west to northwest 9 feet at 7 seconds. Widespread showers and isolated thunderstorms.

TONIGHT
Northwest to north winds near 25 knots, becoming north to northeast near 20 knots after midnight. Seas 8 to 10 feet, occasionally to 13 feet, subsiding to 6 to 9 feet, occasionally to 11 feet. Wave Detail: Northwest 9 feet at 8 seconds, becoming northwest 8 feet at 8 seconds.

FRIDAY
Northeast winds 15 to 20 knots, becoming northeast to east near 10 knots in the afternoon. Seas 5 to 7 feet, occasionally to 9 feet, subsiding to 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to 7 feet. Wave Detail: Northwest 6 feet at 8 seconds.

FRIDAY NIGHT
Northeast winds near 10 knots. Seas 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet. Isolated showers.

SATURDAY
North to northeast winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas around 3 feet.

SATURDAY NIGHT
North to northeast winds near 10 knots, becoming north 5 to 10 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet, subsiding to 1 to 2 feet. Isolated showers.

SUNDAY
Northwest to north winds 5 to 10 knots, increasing to near 20 knots in the afternoon. Seas 1 to 2 feet, building to 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to 7 feet. Isolated showers.

SUNDAY NIGHT
North winds 20 to 25 knots, decreasing to 15 to 20 knots. Seas 5 to 7 feet, occasionally to 9 feet.

MONDAY
North to northeast winds 15 to 20 knots, decreasing to near 15 knots. Seas 5 to 7 feet, occasionally to 9 feet.

MONDAY NIGHT
North to northeast winds near 15 knots. Seas 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet.