textproduct: Key West

KEY MESSAGES

- Dry conditions with above normal temperatures expected to continue through the rest of the week and into the weekend.

- East to southeasterly breezes will remain gentle to moderate through Wednesday morning. - A moderate drought continues for the Lower and Middle Keys. Burn bans are possible, trees and bushes begin browning, and water supply decreases.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1000 PM EST Tue Feb 17 2026

A surface ridge stretching west southwestward across Florida and the Gulf is resulting in gentle to moderate east to southeasterly breezes this evening. This flow, along with steadily warming nearshore waters, has resulted in quite a bit of moderation through the day. Temperatures are in the mid 70s with dew points in the mid 60s. This evenings sounding indicated a substantial subsidence inversion based around 800 mb. This along with some dry layers in the boundary layer is keeping the area rain free and mostly clear. Overnight temperatures will try to find their way down to near 70 with dew points meandering in the mid 60s. Rain chances will remain nil due to the stable conditions and little to no low level lift.

MARINE

Issued at 1000 PM EST Tue Feb 17 2026

A surface high will move further eastward off of the southeast Atlantic coast overnight. An associated ridge will continue to extend westward across Florida and through the Gulf. As a result, winds will be gentle to moderate on Keys waters through the night. Only minor first period adjustments made in the evening marine update.

AVIATION

(00Z TAFS) Issued at 1000 PM EST Tue Feb 17 2026

VFR conditions will prevail at the island terminals overnight. Surface winds will be light to gentle out of the east to southeast.

KEY WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

FL...None. GM...None.