Hawk Channel from Ocean Reef to Craig Key Marine Forecast
| Overnight...East Winds 10 To 15 Knots. Seas 1 To 3 Feet. Nearshore Waters A Light To Moderate Chop. Isolated Showers. |
| Saturday...Northeast To East Winds 10 To 15 Knots, Increasing To Near 15 Knots. Seas Around 2 Feet, Building To 2 To 3 Feet. Nearshore Waters A Light To Moderate Chop, Becoming A Moderate Chop. Scattered Showers. Scattered Showers And Isolated Thunderstorms In The Afternoon. |
| Saturday Night...East Winds 10 To 15 Knots, Becoming 5 To 10 Knots After Midnight. Seas 1 To 2 Feet. Nearshore Waters A Light To Moderate Chop, Becoming Smooth To A Light Chop. Numerous Showers And Scattered Thunderstorms. |
| Sunday...North To Northeast Winds 5 To 10 Knots Increasing To 10 To 15 Knots. Seas Around 1 Foot, Building To 1 To 2 Feet. Nearshore Waters Smooth To A Light Chop, Becoming A Light To Moderate Chop. Scattered Showers And Isolated Thunderstorms. |
| Sunday Night...North Winds 10 To 15 Knots, Becoming North To Northeast And Increasing To Near 20 Knots. Seas 2 To 3 Feet, Building To 3 To 4 Feet, Occasionally To 5 Feet. Nearshore Waters A Light To Moderate Chop, Becoming Rough. Isolated Showers. |
| Monday...Northeast Winds Near 20 Knots. Seas 2 To 4 Feet, Occasionally To 5 Feet. Nearshore Waters Rough. Isolated Showers. |
| Monday Night...Northeast Winds Near 20 Knots. Seas 2 To 4 Feet, Occasionally To 5 Feet. Nearshore Waters Rough. Isolated Showers. |
| Tuesday And Tuesday Night...Northeast Winds 15 To 20 Knots. Seas 2 To 3 Feet. Nearshore Waters Choppy. Isolated Showers. |
| Wednesday...East Winds Near 15 Knots. Seas 2 To 3 Feet. Nearshore Waters A Moderate Chop. Isolated Showers. |
| Wednesday Night...East Winds Near 15 Knots. Seas 2 To 4 Feet, Occasionally To 5 Feet. Nearshore Waters A Moderate Chop. Isolated Showers. |
| Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Key West FL 428am EST Sat Dec 13 2025 Issued at 427am EST Sat Dec 13 2025 This morning, temperatures across the Florida Keys are near 70F, with dew points in the mid 60s. Winds along the Reef are generally from the northeast to east at 15 to 20 knots, driven by high pressure in the western Atlantic and lower pressure to the west. This gradient is strongest over the water currently accounting for these slightly elevated winds along the Reef and offshore. Skies are mostly cloudy with upper-level clouds being observed on Nighttime Microphysics imagery, while lower-level clouds remain limited. KBYX radar shows a few light showers in the distant Straits, though the island chain has remained generally rain-free overnight. Moderate to fresh breezes are expected to start to slacken this morning, therefore the headline "Small Craft Exercise Caution Until Winds Decrease" is in place for the Hawk Channel and Straits of Florida until those winds come down early afternoon. Later in the day, a shortwave trough advancing across the western Gulf waters will drive a front through the Keys. Pre-frontal moisture advection will result in numerous showers and isolated to scattered thunderstorms with rain chances peaking tonight at 80%. As the front moves through, shower activity will diminish starting late Sunday morning rapidly drying out by Sunday night and Monday. Post- frontal winds will increase to Small Craft Advisory levels Monday through possibly Tuesday morning while the pressure gradient behind the front tightens. Mid-week, another area of high pressure will build across the region, resulting in generally uneventful weather. Shower chances will be minimal (~10%) with gentle to moderate breezes. Marine Issued at 427am EST Sat Dec 13 2025 Small craft should exercise caution until winds decrease for the Hawk Channel and Strait of Florida. Thereafter, no watches, warnings, or advisories will be in effect in the Florida Keys waters. From synopsis, moderate to occasionally fresh northeast to easterly breezes will slightly slacken over the day into tonight. The next frontal boundary is forecast to push through the Florida Keys marine zones on Sunday night. Ahead of the front, elevated chances for showers and thunderstorms will be possible late tonight through early Sunday. In the wake of the frontal passage, fresh to strong northeasterly breezes are expected Sunday night through at least Tuesday. Climate On this day in 1962, the daily record low temperature of 42F was recorded at Marathon, and 46F at Key West. Temperature records for Marathon date back to 1950, and for Key West to 1872. NOAA Key West FL Office: Watches - Warnings - Advisories FL...None. GM...None. |
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