Marine Weather and Tide Forecast for Big Pine Key, FL
![]() | Sunrise 6:47 AM Sunset 8:19 PM Moonrise 11:55 PM Moonset 12:17 PM |
Marine Forecasts
NOTE: Zones were updated 3/20/2025. If your report is out of date, please click Edit
GMZ035 Expires:202507180230;;600058 Fzus52 Kkey 171426 Cwfkey
coastal waters forecast for the florida keys national weather service key west fl 1026 am edt Thu jul 17 2025
florida bay, hawk channel and straits of florida from ocean reef to south of dry tortugas, and the extreme southeastern gulf of america, 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.
gmz032-035-180230- bayside and gulfside from craig key to west end of seven mile bridge- gulf of america from west end of seven mile bridge to halfmoon shoal out to 5 fathoms- 1026 am edt Thu jul 17 2025
This afternoon - East to southeast winds 10 to 15 knots, increasing to near 15 knots. Seas 1 to 2 feet. NEarshore waters a light to moderate chop, becoming a moderate chop. Scattered showers and isolated Thunderstorms.
Tonight - East to southeast winds near 15 knots, increasing to 15 to 20 knots. Seas 1 to 2 feet, except building to 2 to 3 feet west of the marquesas keys. NEarshore waters a moderate chop, becoming choppy. Isolated showers and Thunderstorms.
Friday - East to southeast winds 15 to 20 knots, decreasing to near 15 knots. Seas 1 to 2 feet, except 2 to 3 feet west of the marquesas keys. NEarshore waters choppy, becoming a moderate chop. Isolated showers and Thunderstorms.
Friday night - East winds near 15 knots. Seas 1 to 2 feet, except 2 to 3 feet west of the marquesas keys. NEarshore waters a moderate chop. Isolated showers and Thunderstorms.
Saturday - East winds near 15 knots, decreasing to 10 to 15 knots. Seas 1 to 2 feet. West of the marquesas keys, seas 2 to 3 feet, subsiding to around 2 feet. NEarshore waters a moderate chop, becoming a light to moderate chop. Isolated showers and Thunderstorms.
Saturday night - East winds 10 to 15 knots, decreasing to near 10 knots. Seas 1 to 2 feet. NEarshore waters a light to moderate chop, becoming a light chop. Isolated showers and Thunderstorms.
Sunday and Sunday night - East winds near 10 knots. Seas around 1 foot. NEarshore waters a light chop. Isolated showers and Thunderstorms.
Monday and Monday night - East to southeast winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas 1 foot or less. NEarshore waters smooth to a light chop. Scattered showers and isolated Thunderstorms.
coastal waters forecast for the florida keys national weather service key west fl 1026 am edt Thu jul 17 2025
florida bay, hawk channel and straits of florida from ocean reef to south of dry tortugas, and the extreme southeastern gulf of america, 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.
gmz032-035-180230- bayside and gulfside from craig key to west end of seven mile bridge- gulf of america from west end of seven mile bridge to halfmoon shoal out to 5 fathoms- 1026 am edt Thu jul 17 2025
GMZ005 Synopsis For Keys Coastal Waters From Ocean Reef To Dry Tortugas 1026 Am Edt Thu Jul 17 2025
Synopsis - A strong area of high pressure will build westward across the north atlantic towards the florida peninsula, supporting freshening east to southeast breezes over the next several days. As a second, weak area of high pressure builds over the eastern gulf for the second half of the weekend through early next week, east to southeast breezes will slacken, becoming light to gentle.
the approximate shoreward edge of the gulf stream as of july 15 - .
18 nm south of dry tortugas light - .on loggerhead key. 3 nm south of cosgrove shoal light - .off the marquesas keys. 1 nm south of sand key light - .off key west. 4 nm south of looe key - .off big pine key. 4 nm southeast of sombrero key light - .off marathon. 10 nm southeast of alligator reef light - .off islamorada. 6 nm southeast of molasses reef light - .off key largo. 3 nm southeast of carysfort reef light - .off ocean reef.
gulf stream information courtesy of the national weather service in key west based on products from nasa sport.
the approximate shoreward edge of the gulf stream as of july 15 - .
18 nm south of dry tortugas light - .on loggerhead key. 3 nm south of cosgrove shoal light - .off the marquesas keys. 1 nm south of sand key light - .off key west. 4 nm south of looe key - .off big pine key. 4 nm southeast of sombrero key light - .off marathon. 10 nm southeast of alligator reef light - .off islamorada. 6 nm southeast of molasses reef light - .off key largo. 3 nm southeast of carysfort reef light - .off ocean reef.
gulf stream information courtesy of the national weather service in key west based on products from nasa sport.
7 Day Forecast for Marine Location Near Big Pine Key, FL

NEW! Add second zone forecast
Howe Key Click for Map Thu -- 12:19 AM EDT Moonrise Thu -- 01:18 AM EDT 0.15 feet Low Tide Thu -- 06:46 AM EDT Sunrise Thu -- 07:53 AM EDT 1.19 feet High Tide Thu -- 01:16 PM EDT Moonset Thu -- 02:19 PM EDT 0.14 feet Low Tide Thu -- 08:16 PM EDT Sunset Thu -- 08:30 PM EDT 0.87 feet High Tide Thu -- 08:39 PM EDT Last Quarter Tide / Current data from XTide NOT FOR NAVIGATION |   |
Howe Key, south end, Harbor Channel, Florida, Tide feet
12 am |
0.3 |
1 am |
0.2 |
2 am |
0.2 |
3 am |
0.3 |
4 am |
0.6 |
5 am |
0.8 |
6 am |
1 |
7 am |
1.1 |
8 am |
1.2 |
9 am |
1.1 |
10 am |
1 |
11 am |
0.7 |
12 pm |
0.5 |
1 pm |
0.2 |
2 pm |
0.2 |
3 pm |
0.2 |
4 pm |
0.3 |
5 pm |
0.5 |
6 pm |
0.6 |
7 pm |
0.8 |
8 pm |
0.9 |
9 pm |
0.9 |
10 pm |
0.8 |
11 pm |
0.6 |
No Name Key (northeast of) Click for Map Thu -- 12:18 AM EDT Moonrise Thu -- 01:46 AM EDT 0.55 knots Max Flood Thu -- 04:42 AM EDT -0.00 knots Slack Thu -- 06:46 AM EDT Sunrise Thu -- 07:50 AM EDT -1.04 knots Max Ebb Thu -- 11:32 AM EDT 0.00 knots Slack Thu -- 01:16 PM EDT Moonset Thu -- 02:46 PM EDT 0.68 knots Max Flood Thu -- 05:53 PM EDT -0.00 knots Slack Thu -- 08:16 PM EDT Sunset Thu -- 08:28 PM EDT -0.75 knots Max Ebb Thu -- 08:39 PM EDT Last Quarter Tide / Current data from XTide NOT FOR NAVIGATION |   |
No Name Key (northeast of), Florida Current, knots
12 am |
0.3 |
1 am |
0.5 |
2 am |
0.5 |
3 am |
0.5 |
4 am |
0.2 |
5 am |
-0.1 |
6 am |
-0.6 |
7 am |
-0.9 |
8 am |
-1 |
9 am |
-0.9 |
10 am |
-0.6 |
11 am |
-0.2 |
12 pm |
0.2 |
1 pm |
0.5 |
2 pm |
0.6 |
3 pm |
0.7 |
4 pm |
0.6 |
5 pm |
0.3 |
6 pm |
-0.1 |
7 pm |
-0.5 |
8 pm |
-0.7 |
9 pm |
-0.7 |
10 pm |
-0.5 |
11 pm |
-0.3 |
Area Discussion for Key West, FL
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FXUS62 KKEY 171916 AFDKEY
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Key West FL 316 PM EDT Thu Jul 17 2025
New AVIATION, PREV DISCUSSION
AVIATION
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 302 PM EDT Thu Jul 17 2025 VFR conditions will prevail through the 18Z TAF period with only FEW to SCT skies near FL025. Some isolated showers will continue to transverse the forecast area tonight, specifically in the vicinity of the Middle and Upper Keys. Therefore, opted to remove VCSH from EYW completely, and only keeping VCSH for MTH until 18/00Z. East to southeasterly winds near 10 knots will see some gusts near 20 knots overnight.
PREV DISCUSSION
Issued at 1113 AM EDT Thu Jul 17 2025 Weather conditions look a lot friendlier compared to 24 hours ago! Throughout this morning and early afternoon, isolated showers and thunderstorms have been tracking northwestward across our local waters, and have occasionally crossed the island chain. Automated observations along our island communities have reported rainfall amounts up to 0.12", but radar estimated rainfall totals suggest some locations in the Upper Keys, where the heaviest showers have occurred, have seen near half of an inch of rain along with wind gusts near 20 mph. The lack of activity compared to yesterday likely stems from reduced moisture across the area. Our 12Z sounding calculated a PWAT value of 1.97" which is just below the 75th percentile value of 1.99", but CIMSS MIMIC Layer PWAT suggests that this value isn't entirely representative of the air mass aloft. Values from CIMSS across the area range from approximately 1.5" to 2.0".
This trend of spotty shower and thunderstorm development will continue through today, and an increase in areal coverage isn't expected as the atmosphere becomes worked over. The inherited forecast advertises 30 percent PoPs, and we will go ahead and keep them due to radar trends showing development heading toward the island chain. This activity won't lead to a washout necessarily, and anyone running into these showers may only have to wait 15 to 30 minutes for them to pass. No changes will be made to the current forecast package.
MARINE
Issued at 1113 AM EDT Thu Jul 17 2025 A strong area of high pressure will build westward across the North Atlantic towards the Florida Peninsula, supporting freshening east to southeast breezes over the next several days.
Small Craft Should Exercise Caution headlines will likely need to be posted for portions of the Florida Keys coastal waters beginning as early as this evening, possibly lasting through Friday.
As a second, weak area of high pressure builds over the eastern Gulf for the second half of the weekend through early next week, east to southeast breezes will slacken, becoming light to gentle.
KEY WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
FL...None.
GM...None.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Key West FL 316 PM EDT Thu Jul 17 2025
New AVIATION, PREV DISCUSSION
AVIATION
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 302 PM EDT Thu Jul 17 2025 VFR conditions will prevail through the 18Z TAF period with only FEW to SCT skies near FL025. Some isolated showers will continue to transverse the forecast area tonight, specifically in the vicinity of the Middle and Upper Keys. Therefore, opted to remove VCSH from EYW completely, and only keeping VCSH for MTH until 18/00Z. East to southeasterly winds near 10 knots will see some gusts near 20 knots overnight.
PREV DISCUSSION
Issued at 1113 AM EDT Thu Jul 17 2025 Weather conditions look a lot friendlier compared to 24 hours ago! Throughout this morning and early afternoon, isolated showers and thunderstorms have been tracking northwestward across our local waters, and have occasionally crossed the island chain. Automated observations along our island communities have reported rainfall amounts up to 0.12", but radar estimated rainfall totals suggest some locations in the Upper Keys, where the heaviest showers have occurred, have seen near half of an inch of rain along with wind gusts near 20 mph. The lack of activity compared to yesterday likely stems from reduced moisture across the area. Our 12Z sounding calculated a PWAT value of 1.97" which is just below the 75th percentile value of 1.99", but CIMSS MIMIC Layer PWAT suggests that this value isn't entirely representative of the air mass aloft. Values from CIMSS across the area range from approximately 1.5" to 2.0".
This trend of spotty shower and thunderstorm development will continue through today, and an increase in areal coverage isn't expected as the atmosphere becomes worked over. The inherited forecast advertises 30 percent PoPs, and we will go ahead and keep them due to radar trends showing development heading toward the island chain. This activity won't lead to a washout necessarily, and anyone running into these showers may only have to wait 15 to 30 minutes for them to pass. No changes will be made to the current forecast package.
MARINE
Issued at 1113 AM EDT Thu Jul 17 2025 A strong area of high pressure will build westward across the North Atlantic towards the Florida Peninsula, supporting freshening east to southeast breezes over the next several days.
Small Craft Should Exercise Caution headlines will likely need to be posted for portions of the Florida Keys coastal waters beginning as early as this evening, possibly lasting through Friday.
As a second, weak area of high pressure builds over the eastern Gulf for the second half of the weekend through early next week, east to southeast breezes will slacken, becoming light to gentle.
KEY WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
FL...None.
GM...None.
Stations | Dist | Age | Wind | Air | Water | Waves | inHg | DewPt |
VCAF1 - 8723970 - Vaca Key, FL | 16 mi | 57 min | SE 4.1G | |||||
SMKF1 - Sombrero Key, FL | 17 mi | 45 min | ESE 7G | 87°F | 30.06 | 79°F | ||
KYWF1 - 8724580 - Key West, FL | 24 mi | 57 min | SSE 7G | 92°F | 88°F | 30.08 | ||
LONF1 - Long Key, FL | 30 mi | 45 min | SE 7G | 85°F | 30.05 | 78°F | ||
SANF1 - Sand Key, FL | 31 mi | 45 min | ESE 8G | 85°F | 30.05 | 76°F | ||
JKYF1 - Johnson Key, FL | 35 mi | 105 min | 86°F | |||||
LRKF1 - Little Rabbit Key, FL | 36 mi | 105 min | 86°F | |||||
MUKF1 - Murray Key, FL | 36 mi | 105 min | 89°F | |||||
42095 | 37 mi | 75 min | 86°F | 86°F | ||||
PKYF1 - Peterson Key, FL | 37 mi | 105 min | 88°F | |||||
BSKF1 | 39 mi | 165 min | 87°F | |||||
BKYF1 | 41 mi | 105 min | 87°F | |||||
WRBF1 - Whipray Basin, FL | 43 mi | 105 min | 5.1 | 86°F | ||||
WWEF1 | 43 mi | 165 min | 93°F | |||||
BOBF1 - Bob Allen, FL | 44 mi | 105 min | 87°F | |||||
GBTF1 - Garfield Bight, FL | 44 mi | 105 min | 87°F | |||||
SREF1 | 46 mi | 105 min | 87°F | |||||
LRIF1 | 47 mi | 105 min | 86°F | |||||
TBYF1 | 47 mi | 105 min | 87°F | |||||
GBIF1 - Gunboat Island, FL | 49 mi | 105 min | 85°F |
Wind History for Vaca Key, FL
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Airport Reports
Link to 1 hour of 5 minute data for KNQX
Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) for KNQX
Wind History Graph: NQX
(wind in knots)GEOS Local Image of gulf of mexico
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Key West, FL,

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