textproduct: Key West

KEY MESSAGES

-Gale Warning in effect through Sunday morning. Gale-force winds near 35 knots with frequent gusts near 40 knots expected overnight.

-Very cold and windy conditions expected overnight in wake of the recent powerful cold front. These cold conditions will continue through at least Monday morning. A Wind Advisory is in effect for the Island Chain, and a Cold Weather Advisory is in effect for the Upper Keys.

-The strong onshore winds may result in minor coastal flooding on our gulf and bay side waters overnight and a Coastal Flood Statement is in effect.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1030 PM EST Sat Jan 31 2026

What will likely be the strongest cold front of the season has driven southeastward through the Keys this evening. Winds are likely near their peak with marine platforms indicating near 30 knots sustained northwesterlies, with gusts near 40 knots. Temperatures have steadily trended downwards through the evening and now range from near 60 in the Lower and Middle Keys to the mid 50s in the Upper Keys. Dew points are now broadly in the upper 40s.

A strong high cell centered over the southern Plains will press further south southeastward, becoming centered near the Texas Gulf Coast. Meanwhile, an area of low pressure, associated with the cold front, will continue to deepen as it lifts out off the Atlantic Coast. Winds between the high to our northwest and the low to the northeast will trend slightly downwards through the remainder of the night, but remain quite strong through sun-up. Observations around the lake are near 40 F with dew points below freezing. This very cold airmass will drive southward and continue the downward plunge in local temps and dew points. Morning lows are expected to range from the upper 40s to near 50 in the Lower Keys to the mid 30s in the far Upper Keys. This along with the strong winds will result in wind chill readings in the mid 20s for portions of the Upper Keys. A Wind Advisory remains in effect for all Keys waters and a Cold Weather Advisory is in effect for the Upper Keys.

In addition, a Coastal Flood Statement is in effect for all Florida Keys due to the combination of strong onshore breezes and high tide. While observations are few, only one station has is reporting tidal anomalies approaching statement criteria. With winds nearing their peak and high tide past, it is unlikely that advisory criteria will be reached. Therefore, have lowered the Advisory to Statement.

MARINE

Issued at 1030 PM EST Sat Jan 31 2026

A Gale Warning remains in effect for all Keys waters. Increasingly cold air continues to rush southeastward across the area in wake of a powerful cold front passage earlier today. Winds are likely near peak velocities, and should trend slightly downwards overnight. In addition, very large seas will remain, with the highest seas observed on our western waters.

AVIATION

(00Z TAFS) Issued at 1030 PM EST Sat Jan 31 2026

VFR conditions will prevail at the island terminals. While current observations suggest ceilings associated with cold air stratocumulus will remain based in the low VFR range, there is a possibility of periods of MVFR ceilings. Strong northwest breezes are expected to trend downwards slightly, but remain hefty with a large crosswind component.

KEY WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

FL...Wind Advisory until 10 AM EST Sunday for FLZ076>078. Cold Weather Advisory until 10 AM EST Sunday for FLZ076.

GM...Gale Warning until 11 AM EST Sunday for GMZ031>035-042>044- 052>055-072>075.