textproduct: Key West

KEY MESSAGES

- Strong high pressure over the central North Atlantic will remain stationary through the rest of the week into the weekend, supporting an extended period of relatively unremarkable weather. - Moderate to fresh breezes will wax and wane the rest of the week, generally peaking during the overnight hours and lulling in the afternoons.

- Rain, with possible thunder, chances expected to increase late into the week into at least the first part of the weekend. - Moderate drought continues for the entire island chain. Burn bans are possible, trees and bushes begin browning, and water supply decreases. For the upcoming week, there will be a slight chance for showers.

FORECAST

Strong surface high pressure across the Atlantic will continue to dominate the pattern for the next several days. The pressure gradient around the ridge will continue to promote moderate to fresh breezes throughout the remainder of the week and through the weekend. This will lead to periods of breezy conditions at times along the Island Chain. Rounds of moisture will rotate around the ridge periodically which will result in showers and potentially thunderstorms at times. However, there is a caveat to this. Overnight through Sunday night, some upper level vorticity lobes are expected to rotate northward from Cuba. As these lobes lift north we will see an upper level low close off at 500 mb which will allow this to only slowly meander through the area. Therefore, don't be surprised to see an uptick in the coverage of showers and thunderstorms as we head into and through the weekend. This will be much needed rain to help the drought conditions ongoing across much of Florida and at this point we will take whatever we can get. Temperatures will remains slightly above normal with daytime highs in the lower 80s and overnight lows in the lower to potentially mid 70s.

MARINE

Issued at 439 AM EST Thu Mar 5 2026 A Small Craft Advisory remains in effect across the Straits of Florida today. Small Craft Should Exercise Caution is headlined for Hawk Channel with until winds decrease for the nearshore waters north of the Island Chain. From synopsis, a large and robust high remains centered over the central North Atlantic. This will continue to promote a prolonged period of moderate to fresh breezes across Florida Keys coastal waters through the remainder of the week and into the weekend. Winds will be strongest across the Florida Straits and weakest over the cooler Gulf side waters.

AVIATION

(06Z TAFS) Issued at 439 AM EST Thu Mar 5 2026 VFR conditions are mostly expected at both island terminals through the period. There may be a couple times during the day for SCT to BKN skies which could briefly result in MVFR CIGs. Low level moisture remains across the region, which may result in occasional brief light passing shower, but extended impacts are not expected. Near surface winds will remain mostly easterly between 10 to 16 knots with frequent gusts of 20 to 25 knots.

CLIMATE

On this day in Keys Weather History, the daily record high temperature of 85F was recorded in Key West. Temperature records for Key West date back to 1872.

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

Key West 82 72 82 72 / 20 30 20 20 Marathon 80 73 81 74 / 20 30 20 30

KEY WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

FL...None. GM...Small Craft Advisory until 5 PM EST this afternoon for GMZ052>055-072>075.