textproduct: Key West

KEY MESSAGES

- An extended period of wet and windy conditions will develop across the Florida Keys tonight due to an approaching cold front. Drier conditions may gradually return by the early to middle part of next week, but winds are forecast to remain elevated.

- A Small Craft Advisory is in effect for all coastal waters for increasing winds and seas. These conditions will last through the next several periods.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1031 PM EDT Sat Oct 17 2026 KBYX has been moderately busy tonight as a frontal boundary pushes through the Gulf waters south towards the Florida Keys area. Passing storms over various marine locations in the Gulf side waters reported wind gusts of near 30 knots. Outside of convection, winds are starting to freshen with the Reef locations observing northeast winds of 15 to 20 knots sustained. Temperatures along the island chain are near 80F. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect as the winds are expected to continue to freshen overnight into early morning. These elevated wind and sea conditions are forecast to remain for at least the next day or two resulting the the advisory prevailing. As the front passes through the island chain can expect some gusty showers and thunderstorms.

MARINE

Issued at 1031 PM EDT Sat Oct 17 2026 A Small Craft Advisory is in effect for all of the Florida Keys waters. From synopsis, a cold front is progressing southeastward across the central and eastern Gulf. As the cold front currently passes through the Keys waters, breezes are freshening rapidly amidst squally conditions. A Small Craft Advisory in effect for all the Florida Keys waters tonight at least tomorrow night. Fresh, occasionally strong, northeasterly breezes are expected to persist through the first half of the week. Shower chances will peak tonight and Sunday.

AVIATION

(00Z TAFS) Issued at 1031 PM EDT Sat Oct 17 2026 VFR conditions will prevail for a majority of the TAF period with passing showers impacting both terminals throughout the next several hours. Within convection TEMPOs will be included for higher wind gusts, and reduced visibilities. Outside of convection, winds will be northeast at near 15 knots after the front moves through later tonight.

KEY WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

FL...None. GM...Small Craft Advisory until 11 PM EDT Sunday for GMZ031>035- 042>044-052>055-072>075.