textproduct: Key West

KEY MESSAGES

-Bouts of breezy to windy conditions will continue through tonight.

-Cooler temperatures will continue over the next couple of days with warmer temperatures expected by the end of the week and through the weekend.

-Dry conditions expected to continue through early morning Wednesday, but increasing rain chances return thereafter through Thursday.

AVIATION

(18Z TAFS) Issued at 140 PM EST Tue Jan 20 2026 VFR conditions will continue at both island terminals with just a SCT to BKN deck near FL060 lingering through the nighttime hours. Sustained northeasterly winds of 10 to 15 knots with frequent gusts near 20 knots will persist through the TAF period.

MARINE

Issued at 1129 AM EST Tue Jan 20 2026 An expansive high pressure system will move across the eastern United States over the next several days, leading to a strengthening pressure gradient. This will continue to promote bouts of fresh to strong breezes throughout the work week. The high will move out into the western North Atlantic mid- late week while weakening. This will support slackening breezes for Friday night and Saturday.

PREV DISCUSSION

Issued at 430 AM EST Tue Jan 20 2026 An expansive and much stronger high pressure system of Canadian origin will dominate the pattern across the eastern United States for the next several days. This high will continue to slowly traverse across the eastern United States through mid week. A healthy pressure gradient will remain in place across the Keys as a result. Therefore, expect windy conditions to continue through early Wednesday. Breezes slacken slightly for Wednesday and Wednesday evening while also shifting to the northeast to east. Breezes further slacken late week as the high moves farther out into the Atlantic while continuing to weaken. This will act to further weaken the pressure gradient across the Keys. Moisture will remain scarce for today and tonight with most of the shower activity, if any, remaining across the Straits. Once we approach mid week, the moisture is expected to creep northward bringing slight chances back into the forecast along the Island Chain. Moisture becomes deeper for Wednesday night and Thursday keeping chances (30%) of showers in the forecast. Slight drying of the profile for Thursday night into the weekend results in slight chances. Temperatures and dew points will also slowly moderate through the rest of the week. Expect temperatures to be back to slightly above normal to above normal by late in the week and into next weekend. Temperatures are anticipated to be near 80 degrees over the weekend along with dew points rebounding into the lower 70s.

Latest numerical and statistical guidance has backed off the idea on the front for late this week into the weekend. Most guidance now keeps this front along the North Gulf Coast with not much movement to the south from here. In addition, latest numerical and statistical guidance suggests the next front may move through the Keys early next week. This may usher in another period of cooler temperatures, lower humidity, and potentially breezy conditions. Stay tuned!

KEY WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

FL...None. GM...Small Craft Advisory until 5 AM EST Wednesday for GMZ031>035- 042>044-052>055-072>075.