textproduct: Key West

KEY MESSAGES

- Dew points in the mid 70s, combined with high temperatures in the upper 80s, and lows near 80F, will support potential moderate to major heat risk concerns through Sunday.

- Rain and thunder chances will remain near zero for the Keys through the weekend.

- Limited total rainfall amounts are expected through early next week for most island communities. This will continue to exacerbate existing drought conditions across the Keys.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 415 AM EDT Fri May 8 2026 GOES-19 infrared satellite imagery depicts a well-defined upper-level anticyclone bridging over the Gulf eastward to the Bahamas. This stubborn blocking pattern continues to deflect deep convection along the southern jetstream originating from the state of Texas northeastward to the Gulf coastline, then eventually dissipating in the western North Atlantic. The 00z evening sounding at KEY sampled a generally uninhibited surface parcel profile, although more importantly, a scant boundary mean moisture signature. Temperatures across the Florida Keys are struggling to drop below 80F, near-record high minimum temperatures for this time of year at our climatological observing sites.

The aforementioned anticyclone will dictate the forecast for the next several days. In fact, the associated ridge will likely strengthen over the next day or so, supporting near-record temperatures through much of the weekend, along with near-nil rain and thunder chances.

While most guidance does suggest a mid-latitude trough will attempt to break down the formidable ridge, current ensemble member and mean geopotential height fields suggests the associated surface front will struggle to reach the Keys island chain early in the upcoming work week. While a slight rain and thunder chance will be possible for this period, drought-busting accumulations are quite unlikely for most communities. Highs will remain in the mid to upper 80s, with lows generally in the upper 70s to near 80F.

MARINE

Issued at 415 AM EDT Fri May 8 2026 There are currently no watches, warnings, or advisories in effect across the Florida Keys coastal waters. From synopsis, a series of weak high pressure systems in the west- central North Atlantic will support light to gentle, mainly southeasterly, breezes over the next several days. Strong upper-level ridging across the Gulf eastward to the Bahamas will also yield near- nil rain and thunder chances through the weekend. As a weak frontal boundary approaches the Florida Keys early next week, there may be a slight uptick in rain and thunder chances.

AVIATION

(06Z TAFS) Issued at 415 AM EDT Fri May 8 2026 VFR conditions are expected to prevail at both EYW and MTH terminals through 06z Saturday morning. Near surface winds will remain mostly light and variable through the period, prevailing out of the east to southeast at times. Dry air remains entrenched across the Keys, supporting nil rain and thunder chances through the TAF period.

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

Key West 89 81 90 81 / 0 0 10 10 Marathon 86 81 87 82 / 0 0 10 10

KEY WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

FL...None. GM...None.