Hawk Channel from Ocean Reef to Craig Key Marine Forecast
| Today...South To Southwest Winds Near 5 Knots, Becoming Southwest To West 5 To 10 Knots In The Afternoon. Seas Around 1 Foot. Nearshore Waters Smooth, Becoming Smooth To A Light Chop. A Chance Of Showers And A Slight Chance Of Thunderstorms. |
| Tonight...West To Northwest Winds Near 10 Knots, Increasing To 10 To 15 Knots. Seas Around 1 Foot. Nearshore Waters A Light Chop, Becoming A Light To Moderate Chop. A Chance Of Showers And A Slight Chance Of Thunderstorms. |
| Friday...Northwest To North Winds 10 To 15 Knots. Seas Building To 1 To 2 Feet, Except Building To 2 To 3 Feet West Of Cosgrove Shoal Light. Nearshore Waters A Light To Moderate Chop. A Slight Chance Of Showers. |
| Friday Night...Northwest To North Winds Near 15 Knots Early, Increasing To 15 To 20 Knots. Seas 1 To 2 Feet, Except 3 To 4 Feet, Occasionally To 5 Feet West Of Cosgrove Shoal Light. Nearshore Waters A Moderate Chop, Becoming Choppy. |
| Saturday...North To Northeast Winds 15 To 20 Knots, Decreasing To 10 To 15 Knots. Seas 1 To 2 Feet, Except 3 To 4 Feet, Occasionally To 5 Feet West Of Cosgrove Shoal Light. Nearshore Waters Choppy, Becoming A Light To Moderate Chop. A Slight Chance Of Showers. |
| Saturday Night...North To Northeast Winds Near 15 Knots, Increasing To 15 To 20 Knots. Seas 1 To 2 Feet, Except 3 To 4 Feet, Occasionally To 5 Feet West Of Cosgrove Shoal Light. Nearshore Waters A Moderate Chop. |
| Sunday...Northeast To East Winds 15 To 20 Knots Early, Decreasing To Near 15 Knots. Seas 2 To 3 Feet, Except 3 To 4 Feet, Occasionally To 5 Feet West Of The Marquesas Keys. Nearshore Waters Choppy, Becoming A Moderate Chop. A Slight Chance Of Showers. |
| Sunday Night...Northeast To East Winds 15 To 20 Knots, Increasing To Near 20 Knots. Seas 2 To 4 Feet, Occasionally To 5 Feet, Building To 3 To 5 Feet, Occasionally To 6 Feet. Nearshore Waters Choppy, Becoming Rough. A Slight Chance Of Showers And Thunderstorms. |
| Monday...Northeast To East Winds 20 To 25 Knots. Seas 4 To 6 Feet, Occasionally To 8 Feet. Nearshore Waters Very Rough. A Slight Chance Of Showers And Thunderstorms. |
| Monday Night...Northeast To East Winds 20 To 25 Knots. Seas 4 To 7 Feet, Occasionally To 9 Feet. Nearshore Waters Very Rough. A Chance Of Showers With A Slight Chance Of Thunderstorms. |
| Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Key West FL 438am EST Thu Nov 12 2026 .SHORT TERM... (Today and tonight) Issued at 438am EST Thu Nov 12 2026 The first half of the overnight remained quiet with some showers and thunderstorms occurring across the extreme Southeast Gulf waters north of our AOR. However, within the last one to two hours, the first signs of a moisture surge have manifested across the Straits of Florida. Showers have been steadily increasing in coverage across mainly the southwest Straits of Florida. So far no lightning has been observed but the potential is there as instability is increasing. The limiting factor at this point is the lack of widespread organized lift. A high pressure that was northeast of the Bahamas yesterday has now exited fully out across the Atlantic. In its place a building low pressure system is moving across the eastern U.S. this morning. The base of this low pressure system will steadily slide southward and enter our area by the afternoon. As this occurs our current light and variable winds will steadily increase and become southwest to west later this morning and then west to northwest by the afternoon. This cyclonic clocking motion will allow for boundaries to collide and interact, resulting in higher rain and thunder chances than in days prior. That being said, the Keys themselves will be in between pockets of better mid and upper level support. Therefore, precipitation chances look to be maximized across the surrounding offshore waters. As the front pushes through the area tonight, expect winds to further increase and shift more northerly. A secondary, stronger front arrives sometime Friday with even stronger winds expected. Marine Issued at 438am EST Thu Nov 12 2026 Showers are quickly developing across the Straits of Florida and this trend will continue through the morning. Showers are also beginning to enter the Southeast Gulf waters west of the Dry Tortugas. As the morning progresses, individual showers will strengthen and become thunderstorms. In addition, an approaching front from the north will steadily freshen breezes while clocking from their current southerly regime, becoming west to northwest by this afternoon. Mariners should be prepare for locally higher winds and wave in and around any developing thunderstorms. NOAA Key West FL Office: Watches - Warnings - Advisories FL...None. GM...None. |
Key West FL Radar
Southeast Radar