E Gulf from 22N to 25N E of 87W including Straits of Florida Offshore Forecast
| Today...N To Ne Winds 20 To 25 Kt. Seas 6 To 8 Ft In N To Ne Swell. |
| Tonight...Ne Winds 20 To 25 Kt. Seas 7 To 10 Ft In N Swell. Scattered Showers And Isolated Tstms. |
| Mon...Ne Winds 20 To 25 Kt. Seas 7 To 10 Ft In N To Ne Swell. |
| Mon Night...Ne Winds 20 Kt. Seas 7 To 10 Ft In N To Ne Swell. |
| Tue...Ne Winds 15 To 20 Kt. Seas 7 To 10 Ft In N To Ne Swell. |
| Tue Night...Ne Winds 15 To 20 Kt. Seas 6 To 8 Ft In N To Ne Swell. |
| Wed...Ne Winds 20 To 25 Kt. Seas 6 To 8 Ft In N To Ne Swell. |
| Wed Night...Ne To E Winds 15 To 20 Kt. Seas 6 To 9 Ft In N To Ne Swell. |
| Thu...Ne To E Winds 15 To 20 Kt. Seas 6 To 9 Ft In N To Ne Swell. |
| Thu Night...Ne To E Winds 10 To 15 Kt. Seas 5 To 7 Ft In N To Ne Swell. |
| Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Key West FL 1036am EDT Sat Oct 24 2026 Issued at 1036am EDT Sat Oct 24 2026 Breezy weather ushered in the second to last weekend of October across the Florida Keys. Showers and thunderstorms were able to wax and wane over the Straits of Florida after sunrise, but have since started to dissipate as drier air filters into the Florida Keys. The morning 12Z KKEY sounding sampled a couple of dry layers over the islands. The subsident region of an upper level trough was well sampled above 30 kft, and a mid level dry region was present above 700 mb. The trend, based on the movement of water vapor on GOES East satellite imagery, is that shower development will become less and less likely before sunset. While mostly sunny skies are expected across the Keys, coastal flooding will continue to be a concern. There are no changes expected for the Coastal Flood Advisories for the Lower and Middle Keys, and the Coastal Flood Warning will remain in effect for the Upper Keys. This afternoon, breezy conditions will prevail across the island chain amidst mostly sunny skies. Issued at 453am EDT Sat Oct 24 2026 CIMSS products shows an interesting pattern across the Lower 48 early this morning. The pattern resembles the Greek letter Omega because it takes that shape. An upper level trough has been anchored across the western United States with a ridge dominating much of the rest of the country with another upper level trough anchored over the Bahamas, Hispaniola, and Cuba. We can thank this pattern for the prolonged period of breezy to windy, potentially very windy conditions over the next few days. At the surface, low pressure continues to try and develop across the Bahamas along with a large sprawling high pressure system centered across the Northeast United States. Marine observations platforms surrounding the Island Chain are recording northeasterly breezes to near 20 knots along with frequent gusts to near 25 knots. KBYX radar has been active all night with most of the activity impacting the Straits of Florida and the SE Gulf waters surrounding and including the Dry Tortugas. Safe to say, the Island Chain dodged a bullet tonight because this activity has been slow moving and MRMS estimated rainfall amounts show anywhere from 2 to 6 inches occurring in some sections of the distant Straits. Some of the activity has also been intense requiring numerous Special Marine Warnings throughout the night. Temperatures along the Island Chain are in the mid 70s and dew points are in the upper 60s to near 70 degrees. Short Term - Tonight Through Friday CAST... The omega block pattern across much of the United States is expected to remain in place today and tonight. At the surface, low pressure will continue to fester and try to organize to the east over or near the Bahamas. An upper level trough will continue to swing through the Keys which actually should end the current ongoing activity across the Straits of Florida and SE Gulf early this morning. Any showers and thunderstorms today and tonight should mainly remain across the eastern portions of the area out to the Bahamas and south towards Cuba. Current guidance suggests the Island Chain remaining dry for the next 24 hours outside of perhaps some sprinkles maybe this afternoon or a brief passing light shower. Breezy conditions will continue today and tonight as the low continues to fester near/over the Bahamas and the high across the Northeast U.S. remains anchored in place. This will keep a strengthened pressure gradient across the area. Outside of that, temperatures will remain comfortable in the lower 80s and overnight lows in the lower to mid 70s. Marine Issued at 453am EDT Sat Oct 24 2026 A Small Craft Advisory remains in effect for all the Florida Keys coastal waters today. From synopsis, strengthening high pressure centered over the Mid-Atlantic region will interact with a developing disturbance in the eastern Caribbean, supporting freshening northeasterly breezes over the next several days. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect for all Florida Keys marine zones. Breezes will peak Sunday night through Tuesday, when strong to near gale breezes will be possible. The freshening breezes and a surge of moisture may also support elevated rain and thunderstorm chances through Monday. Climate On this day in 1943, the daily record rainfall of 1.60" was recorded in Key West. Rainfall records for Key West date back to 1871. Also, on this day in 1971, the daily record rainfall of 1.82" was recorded in Marathon. Rainfall records for Marathon date back to June 1950. NOAA Key West FL Office: Watches - Warnings - Advisories FL...Coastal Flood Warning until 5am EDT Sunday for FLZ076. Coastal Flood Advisory until 5am EDT Sunday for FLZ077-078. GM...Small Craft Advisory until 8pm EDT Monday for GMZ031>035- 042>044-052>055-072>075. |