textproduct: Key West

KEY MESSAGES

-Fresh to strong northerly breezes will relax as high pressure builds across Florida. A Small Craft Advisory remains up for all Keys waters outside of FLorida Bay, and will be retained through tonight for portions of Keys waters.

-The cold air mass behind the front along with a reinforcing cold front will keep temperatures well below normal through mid week. Some slight moderation is expected through the back half of the work week.

-Probabilities are increasing for higher rain chances through the later portion of the work week due to surface troughing developing across the eastern Florida Straits.

-Probabilities are also increasing for a significant chilly wind surge this weekend as another powerful cold front is expected to race southward through the area. Portions of the Upper Keys may see wind chills in the 30's.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1056 PM EST Tue Jan 27 2026 Mostly quiet and windy night has been ongoing in the Florida Keys. Winds along the Reef are continuing to be recorded at near 20 knots and a Small Craft Advisory remains in effect for all of the coastal waters except the Florida Bay. Temperatures across the island chain are near 60F with dew points in the mid to upper 40s making it pretty chilly outside. Overnight, conditions are expected to remain similar though winds should start to slightly slacken as high pressure builds in in the southeast.

MARINE

Issued at 1056 PM EST Tue Jan 27 2026 A Small Craft Advisory is in effect for the Bay/Gulf side waters, Hawk Channel and Straits of Florida. From synopsis, winds have slightly slackened this afternoon, as high pressure built southeastward through the Southeast and across the Florida Peninsula. However, sustained fresh to strong breezes and elevated seas will last through the evening. Additional wind surges are becoming increasingly likely into Wednesday night, as a reinforcing cold front rolls southward across the area. Another potent wind surge appears likely Saturday and Saturday night.

AVIATION

(00Z TAFS) Issued at 1056 PM EST Tue Jan 27 2026 VFR conditions will prevail at both EYW and MTH overnight. Near surface north to northeast winds will continue to frequently gust to near 20 knots. AMD NOT SKED is included for MTH due to technical difficulties with the ASOS.

KEY WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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