textproduct: Key West

KEY MESSAGES

- Major coastal flooding is expected again overnight, and a Coastal Flood Warning is in effect for all of the Florida Keys. Coastal flooding will gradually decrease over the weekend, but receding rates may be slow, especially in the Upper Keys.

- Gentle to occasionally moderate northeasterly breezes may see an uptick by Saturday evening, but an extended period of windy conditions similar to last weekend is very unlikely.

- There is increasing confidence in a wet, stormy period from Saturday Night through Monday.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1010 AM EDT Fri Oct 30 2026 Comparatively quiet conditions will usher in the last Friday of October across the Florida Keys. KBYX radar returns show sparse shower coverage across the Florida Keys waters. Satellite observations from GOES East highlighted early morning cloud cover across the island chain. The morning KKEY sounding was released into an environment with widespread clouds across Key West, and moisture was concentrated in the lowest 650 mb. More notably, the sounding minimal instability in the atmosphere. Even though the lower levels are moist and dew points are in the mid 70s, it is unlikely showers will be able to form across the island chain this afternoon. Shower coverage is on track to be sparse throughout the evening. Breezes will be able to wax and wane between light to gentle and gentle to moderate northeasterlies. Enjoy the relatively uneventful weather to bring October to a close.

The lack of weather hazards does not mean there are no concerns across the Keys. Coastal Flooding continues to be the primary concern for the entire island chain. While we are on the receding end of the tide cycle, tides were still 2.0 to 2.3 feet above the normal high tide across the Keys. It will take time for waters to recede, unfortunately, and those in the Keys will need to continue taking precautions for the time of peak tides. Avoid flooded roadways, take caution in low lying areas, and plan around the highest tides. This cycle of king tides will come to an end, it's just a matter of time.

MARINE

Issued at 1010 AM EDT Fri Oct 30 2026 There are no watches, warnings, or advisories in effect for the Florida Keys local waters. However, significantly higher than normal high tides will result in reduced clearance under fixed bridges around times of high tide, so mariners are encouraged to keep that in mind.

From synopsis: gentle to moderate northeasterly breezes will prevail across the Florida Keys through the first half of the weekend. By late Saturday, a high pressure system developing over the eastern United States will be able to build and set up north of the Carolinas. Breezes may be able to freshen to moderate to fresh over the northern waters of the Florida Keys. Northerly swell over the easternmost waters will be a concern for the second half of the weekend. Small Craft Exercise Caution headlines may be required at times between Saturday and Sunday. Shower chances are also expected to peak Saturday night through Monday

AVIATION

(12Z TAFS) Issued at 1010 AM EDT Fri Oct 30 2026 MVFR to IFR CIGs will gradually recede at EYW and MTH. Late morning cloud cover will dissipate as the day goes on, and VFR conditions will prevail later in the afternoon. Isolated to stray SHRA are possible near the island chain, but are at low enough coverage to not require a TEMPO or VCSH. Near surface winds will remain northeasterly and below 10 knots.

CLIMATE

On this day in Keys Weather History, in 1910, the daily record low temperature of 59F was recorded in Key West. This is also tied for the coldest temperature ever recorded in October. Temperature records for Key West date back to 1872

KEY WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

FL...Coastal Flood Warning until 11 PM EDT this evening for FLZ076>078.

GM...None.