textproduct: Key West

KEY MESSAGES

- A wetter pattern is in place and chances for rain and thunder will remain elevated through at least the next couple of days. - Breezy to windy conditions will developed this afternoon following a cold frontal passage, and are expected to continue through most of the week.

- We should see improving drought conditions due to beneficial rains this week.

AVIATION

(18Z TAFS) Issued at 125 PM EDT Tue Mar 17 2026 Prevailing MVFR conditions will be in place following a cold frontal passage across the Florida Keys. Both EYW and MTH will observe MVFR CIGs between FL010 and FL020. Occasional periods of IFR CIGs are possible while weak showers linger near the terminals. Northerly crosswinds up to 20 to 25 knots are possible throughout the period. Winds will rapidly shift southerly above 1000 feet.

PREV DISCUSSION

Issued at 415 AM EDT Tue Mar 17 2026 As the front steadily moves in, it will undercut the mid level flow and gradually decrease rain chances from west to east. That being said, the front will stall across the Straits of Florida over the coming days. This will allow for moisture to continue to pool across the area. Despite a high pressure moving in across the region, the front may still have enough dynamics with it to allow for a couple more days of wet weather. This would not be a bad thing as we have been dealing with moderate drought conditions and this is surely helping things.

We will also see a prolonged period of breezy to at times, windy conditions over the next few days. The strong high that fill in behind the front will keep a tight pressure gradient across the Southeastern U.S. This feature will slowly settle in the Southeast U.S./Southwestern Atlantic by the end of the week, allowing for breezes to relax.

MARINE

Issued at 415 AM EDT Tue Mar 17 2026 Expect freshening northerly breezes this afternoon with building seas. Small Craft Advisory conditions will develop this afternoon and gradually overspread to the remaining waters throughout the day. Thereafter, high pressure filling in behind this front will maintain a prolonged period of fresh to occasionally strong breezes. There will be very brief lulls at times where breezes could slacken to gentle to moderate. Breezes are not expected to appreciably slacken until closer to Friday when the high weakens and settles closer to the Florida Peninsula.

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

Key West 64 75 67 77 / 30 40 50 30 Marathon 64 75 67 76 / 40 50 50 40

KEY WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

FL...None. GM...Small Craft Advisory until 6 AM EDT Wednesday for GMZ032>035- 042>044-052>055-072>075.