Marine Weather and Tide Forecast for Key West, FL
February 18, 2025 8:59 PM EST (01:59 UTC) Change Location
![]() | Sunrise 6:57 AM Sunset 6:24 PM Moonrise 11:51 PM Moonset 10:15 AM |
GMZ075 Expires:202502190330;;127952 Fzus52 Kkey 182116 Cwfkey
coastal waters forecast for the florida keys national weather service key west fl 416 pm est Tue feb 18 2025
florida bay, hawk channel and straits of florida from ocean reef to south of dry tortugas, and the extreme southeastern gulf of mexico, including the florida keys national marine sanctuary
seas are given as significant wave height, which is the average height of the highest 1/3 of the waves. Individual waves may be more than twice the significant wave height.
wave detail will include details about the period and direction of origin for the highest energy waves. Long-period swells coming from a different direction than the wind would be included in the wave detail.
gmz052>055-072>075-190330- straits of florida from ocean reef to craig key out 20 nm- straits of florida from craig key to west end of seven mile bridge out 20 nm- straits of florida from west end of seven mile bridge to south of halfmoon shoal out 20 nm- straits of florida from halfmoon shoal to 20 nm west of dry tortugas out 20 nm- straits of florida from ocean reef to craig key 20 to 60 nm out- straits of florida from craig key to west end of seven mile bridge 20 to 60 nm out- straits of florida from west end of seven mile bridge to south of halfmoon shoal 20 to 60 nm out- straits of florida from halfmoon shoal to 20 nm west of dry tortugas 20 to 60 nm out- 416 pm est Tue feb 18 2025
Tonight - East winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming east to southeast near 10 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Wave detail: east 2 feet at 3 seconds and west to northwest 2 feet at 7 seconds.
Wednesday - Southeast winds near 10 knots, becoming variable 5 to 10 knots in the afternoon. Seas around 2 feet, subsiding to 1 to 2 feet. Wave detail: east to southeast 2 feet at 4 seconds and northwest 1 foot at 6 seconds.
Wednesday night - Southwest to west winds near 5 knots, increasing to 5 to 10 knots. Seas 1 to 2 feet. Wave detail: east 1 foot at 4 seconds. Isolated showers.
Thursday - West to northwest winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming north 15 to 20 knots in the afternoon. Seas 1 to 2 feet, building to 2 to 3 feet. Isolated showers.
Thursday night - North to northeast winds 15 to 20 knots, increasing to near 20 knots. Seas 4 to 6 feet, occasionally to 8 feet. Isolated showers.
Friday - Northeast winds near 20 knots. Seas 5 to 7 feet, occasionally to 9 feet. Isolated showers.
Friday night - Northeast to east winds near 20 knots. Seas 5 to 7 feet, occasionally to 9 feet. Isolated showers.
Saturday - East winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas 5 to 6 feet, occasionally to 8 feet. Isolated showers.
Saturday night - East winds decreasing to 10 to 15 knots. Seas subsiding to 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet. Isolated showers.
Sunday - East winds 10 to 15 knots, decreasing to near 10 knots in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Scattered showers.
Sunday night - Northeast winds near 10 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Scattered showers.
coastal waters forecast for the florida keys national weather service key west fl 416 pm est Tue feb 18 2025
florida bay, hawk channel and straits of florida from ocean reef to south of dry tortugas, and the extreme southeastern gulf of mexico, including the florida keys national marine sanctuary
seas are given as significant wave height, which is the average height of the highest 1/3 of the waves. Individual waves may be more than twice the significant wave height.
wave detail will include details about the period and direction of origin for the highest energy waves. Long-period swells coming from a different direction than the wind would be included in the wave detail.
gmz052>055-072>075-190330- straits of florida from ocean reef to craig key out 20 nm- straits of florida from craig key to west end of seven mile bridge out 20 nm- straits of florida from west end of seven mile bridge to south of halfmoon shoal out 20 nm- straits of florida from halfmoon shoal to 20 nm west of dry tortugas out 20 nm- straits of florida from ocean reef to craig key 20 to 60 nm out- straits of florida from craig key to west end of seven mile bridge 20 to 60 nm out- straits of florida from west end of seven mile bridge to south of halfmoon shoal 20 to 60 nm out- straits of florida from halfmoon shoal to 20 nm west of dry tortugas 20 to 60 nm out- 416 pm est Tue feb 18 2025
GMZ005 Synopsis For Keys Coastal Waters From Ocean Reef To Dry Tortugas 416 Pm Est Tue Feb 18 2025
Synopsis - Light to gentle northeast to east breezes will veer to the east to southeast overnight. Between tonight and Thursday, breezes will be light and variable at times as the keys will lie in a weak pressure gradient between frontal boundaries. Another front is expected to pass across the keys coastal waters on Thursday, followed by moderate to fresh breezes through Friday night. In the wake of the front, strong surface high pressure traverses across the eastern united states Saturday and Saturday night maintaining moderate to fresh breezes.
the approximate shoreward edge of the gulf stream as of february 12 - .
11 nm south of dry tortugas light - .on loggerhead key. 6 nm south of cosgrove shoal light - .off the marquesas keys. 4 nm south of sand key light - .off key west. 9 nm south of looe key - .off big pine key. 9 nm south of sombrero key light - .off marathon. 11 nm southeast of alligator reef light - .off islamorada. 10 nm southeast of molasses reef light - .off key largo. 7 nm east of carysfort reef light - .off ocean reef.
gulf stream information courtesy of the national weather service in key west based on products from the real time ocean forecast system and nasa sport.
the approximate shoreward edge of the gulf stream as of february 12 - .
11 nm south of dry tortugas light - .on loggerhead key. 6 nm south of cosgrove shoal light - .off the marquesas keys. 4 nm south of sand key light - .off key west. 9 nm south of looe key - .off big pine key. 9 nm south of sombrero key light - .off marathon. 11 nm southeast of alligator reef light - .off islamorada. 10 nm southeast of molasses reef light - .off key largo. 7 nm east of carysfort reef light - .off ocean reef.
gulf stream information courtesy of the national weather service in key west based on products from the real time ocean forecast system and nasa sport.

NEW! Add second zone forecast
Sand Key Lighthouse Click for Map Tue -- 12:14 AM EST 0.88 feet High Tide Tue -- 05:42 AM EST 0.21 feet Low Tide Tue -- 06:58 AM EST Sunrise Tue -- 10:15 AM EST Moonset Tue -- 12:04 PM EST 1.28 feet High Tide Tue -- 06:24 PM EST Sunset Tue -- 07:10 PM EST -0.08 feet Low Tide Tue -- 11:49 PM EST Moonrise Tide / Current data from XTide NOT FOR NAVIGATION |   |
Sand Key Lighthouse, Sand Key Channel, Florida, Tide feet
12 am |
0.9 |
1 am |
0.8 |
2 am |
0.7 |
3 am |
0.5 |
4 am |
0.3 |
5 am |
0.2 |
6 am |
0.2 |
7 am |
0.3 |
8 am |
0.5 |
9 am |
0.7 |
10 am |
1 |
11 am |
1.2 |
12 pm |
1.3 |
1 pm |
1.2 |
2 pm |
1 |
3 pm |
0.7 |
4 pm |
0.4 |
5 pm |
0.2 |
6 pm |
-0 |
7 pm |
-0.1 |
8 pm |
-0 |
9 pm |
0.1 |
10 pm |
0.3 |
11 pm |
0.5 |
Boca Grande Channel Click for Map Tue -- 01:16 AM EST -0.00 knots Slack Tue -- 04:19 AM EST -0.85 knots Max Ebb Tue -- 06:59 AM EST Sunrise Tue -- 07:25 AM EST 0.00 knots Slack Tue -- 09:52 AM EST 0.83 knots Max Flood Tue -- 10:15 AM EST Moonset Tue -- 12:44 PM EST -0.00 knots Slack Tue -- 04:27 PM EST -1.03 knots Max Ebb Tue -- 06:24 PM EST Sunset Tue -- 07:50 PM EST 0.00 knots Slack Tue -- 10:28 PM EST 0.95 knots Max Flood Tue -- 11:50 PM EST Moonrise Tide / Current data from XTide NOT FOR NAVIGATION |   |
Boca Grande Channel, Florida Current, knots
12 am |
0.5 |
1 am |
0.1 |
2 am |
-0.3 |
3 am |
-0.7 |
4 am |
-0.8 |
5 am |
-0.8 |
6 am |
-0.6 |
7 am |
-0.2 |
8 am |
0.3 |
9 am |
0.7 |
10 am |
0.8 |
11 am |
0.6 |
12 pm |
0.3 |
1 pm |
-0.1 |
2 pm |
-0.5 |
3 pm |
-0.8 |
4 pm |
-1 |
5 pm |
-1 |
6 pm |
-0.8 |
7 pm |
-0.4 |
8 pm |
0.1 |
9 pm |
0.6 |
10 pm |
0.9 |
11 pm |
0.9 |
Area Discussion for Key West, FL
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FXUS62 KKEY 182027 AFDKEY
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Key West FL 327 PM EST Tue Feb 18 2025
New DISCUSSION, MARINE, AVIATION
DISCUSSION
Issued at 325 PM EST Tue Feb 18 2025 There is not too much change in Florida Keys weather conditions from this morning. While daytime heating has slackened breezes a touch, variable directions are observed along the Reef with generally southeasterlies along the Middle and Upper Keys and northerlies found over the Lower Keys. This weakly cyclonic surface flow is aiding convective development at all however as visible satellite imagery only depicts some puffs of fair weather cumulus and deteriorating thin stratus around the Keys. Nearly clear skies have allowed temperatures to rise up to near 80 across most of the island chain, with the exception being the lower 80s closer to mainland north of Key Largo. KBYX radar is generally free of any meteorological echoes except for a few orphan showers just outside the southeast side of our CWA
The short term forecast will stay the course with persistence over the next 24 hours. With yesterday's front stalled out in the Straits of Florida and a very zonal pattern established aloft, tonight and tomorrow will be mostly a repeat of previous periods.
Low temperatures will sink down to the low 70s with highs continuing to stretch up to near 80. Partly cloudy skies may percolate along the stationary front's residual moisture, but a lack of low level instability and lifting mechanism will keep rain chances near nil. Breezes will be light and variable early tonight but become gentle out of the east as a surface high sinks south over the Florida Peninsula. As this high limps into the western North Atlantic, breezes will shift around to the southeast on Wednesday.
Wednesday night, the approach of the next frontal system will shake up the normal forecast. An influx of mid level moisture brought along with the approach of our next cold front will reintroduce rain chances to the forecast. While these are only dime PoPs to start due to loss of lift from slackening winds, a prefrontal line will be in the realm of possibility as the front bears down on our waters Thursday. After its passage sometime on Thursday, breezes will freshen substantially from the north bringing some cooler temperatures in just in time for the weekend.
Breezy conditions will result in possible Small Craft Advisory issuances for portions of (if not all) waters of the Florida Keys from Thursday night into Saturday.
The best chance of rain comes late in the forecast period on Sunday when yet another front could sweep through and reinforce the previous. While only advertised as 30% PoPs, it is already well above normal for this time of year. That being said, current guidance is still split on how wet said event will be so have opted to split the difference for now. Either way, this forecast is sure to evolve over the week so stay tuned!
MARINE
Issued at 325 PM EST Tue Feb 18 2025 There are no watches, warnings, or advisories in effect for the coastal waters of the Florida Keys. From synopsis, light to gentle northeast to east breezes will veer to the east to southeast by tonight. Between tonight and Thursday, breezes will be light and variable at times as the Keys will lie in a weak pressure gradient between frontal boundaries. Another front is expected to pass across the Keys coastal waters on Thursday, followed by moderate to fresh breezes through Friday night. In the wake of the front, strong surface high pressure traverses across the eastern United States Saturday and Saturday night maintaining moderate to fresh breezes.
AVIATION
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 325 PM EST Tue Feb 18 2025 VFR conditions with light and variable winds during the early evening hours, becoming ENE to E and increasing to 5 to 10 knots overnight. Occasional, short lived MVFR CIGs are possible at times due to low clouds nearby, but these will not persist. Weather conditions should remain dry at both terminals.
PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS
Key West 72 82 71 77 / 0 0 10 20 Marathon 73 83 72 79 / 0 0 10 20
KEY WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
FL...None.
GM...None.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Key West FL 327 PM EST Tue Feb 18 2025
New DISCUSSION, MARINE, AVIATION
DISCUSSION
Issued at 325 PM EST Tue Feb 18 2025 There is not too much change in Florida Keys weather conditions from this morning. While daytime heating has slackened breezes a touch, variable directions are observed along the Reef with generally southeasterlies along the Middle and Upper Keys and northerlies found over the Lower Keys. This weakly cyclonic surface flow is aiding convective development at all however as visible satellite imagery only depicts some puffs of fair weather cumulus and deteriorating thin stratus around the Keys. Nearly clear skies have allowed temperatures to rise up to near 80 across most of the island chain, with the exception being the lower 80s closer to mainland north of Key Largo. KBYX radar is generally free of any meteorological echoes except for a few orphan showers just outside the southeast side of our CWA
The short term forecast will stay the course with persistence over the next 24 hours. With yesterday's front stalled out in the Straits of Florida and a very zonal pattern established aloft, tonight and tomorrow will be mostly a repeat of previous periods.
Low temperatures will sink down to the low 70s with highs continuing to stretch up to near 80. Partly cloudy skies may percolate along the stationary front's residual moisture, but a lack of low level instability and lifting mechanism will keep rain chances near nil. Breezes will be light and variable early tonight but become gentle out of the east as a surface high sinks south over the Florida Peninsula. As this high limps into the western North Atlantic, breezes will shift around to the southeast on Wednesday.
Wednesday night, the approach of the next frontal system will shake up the normal forecast. An influx of mid level moisture brought along with the approach of our next cold front will reintroduce rain chances to the forecast. While these are only dime PoPs to start due to loss of lift from slackening winds, a prefrontal line will be in the realm of possibility as the front bears down on our waters Thursday. After its passage sometime on Thursday, breezes will freshen substantially from the north bringing some cooler temperatures in just in time for the weekend.
Breezy conditions will result in possible Small Craft Advisory issuances for portions of (if not all) waters of the Florida Keys from Thursday night into Saturday.
The best chance of rain comes late in the forecast period on Sunday when yet another front could sweep through and reinforce the previous. While only advertised as 30% PoPs, it is already well above normal for this time of year. That being said, current guidance is still split on how wet said event will be so have opted to split the difference for now. Either way, this forecast is sure to evolve over the week so stay tuned!
MARINE
Issued at 325 PM EST Tue Feb 18 2025 There are no watches, warnings, or advisories in effect for the coastal waters of the Florida Keys. From synopsis, light to gentle northeast to east breezes will veer to the east to southeast by tonight. Between tonight and Thursday, breezes will be light and variable at times as the Keys will lie in a weak pressure gradient between frontal boundaries. Another front is expected to pass across the Keys coastal waters on Thursday, followed by moderate to fresh breezes through Friday night. In the wake of the front, strong surface high pressure traverses across the eastern United States Saturday and Saturday night maintaining moderate to fresh breezes.
AVIATION
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 325 PM EST Tue Feb 18 2025 VFR conditions with light and variable winds during the early evening hours, becoming ENE to E and increasing to 5 to 10 knots overnight. Occasional, short lived MVFR CIGs are possible at times due to low clouds nearby, but these will not persist. Weather conditions should remain dry at both terminals.
PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS
Key West 72 82 71 77 / 0 0 10 20 Marathon 73 83 72 79 / 0 0 10 20
KEY WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
FL...None.
GM...None.
Stations | Dist | Age | Wind | Air | Water | Waves | inHg | DewPt |
42095 | 13 mi | 60 min | 73°F | 77°F | 1 ft | |||
SANF1 - Sand Key, FL | 15 mi | 50 min | N 7G | 73°F | 30.04 | 69°F | ||
KYWF1 - 8724580 - Key West, FL | 17 mi | 60 min | N 5.1G | 74°F | 79°F | 30.07 |
Wind History for Key West, FL
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Airport Reports
Link to 1 hour of 5 minute data for KEYW
Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) for KEYW
Wind History Graph: EYW
(wind in knots)GEOS Local Image of Southeast
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Key West, FL,

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