Alert archive / Florida / Small Craft Advisories in 2026
Small Craft Advisory 13, NWS Key West, FL
NWS Key West, FL issued this small craft advisory at Apr 2, 2026, 4:25 AM EDT. It was in force for 49 hr.
The area
The counties it named.
The facts
- Issued
- Apr 2, 2026, 4:25 AM EDT (08:25 UTC)
- Expired
- Apr 4, 2026, 5:00 AM EDT
- In force
- 49 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Key West, FL
The text
As transmitted.
682 WHUS72 KKEY 020825 MWWKEY URGENT - MARINE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Key West FL 425 AM EDT Thu Apr 2 2026 GMZ052>055-072>075-021645- /O.NEW.KKEY.SC.Y.0013.260402T0825Z-260403T0900Z/ 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- 425 AM EDT Thu Apr 2 2026 ...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT... * WHAT...East winds near 20 kt and seas up to 7 ft. * WHERE...Straits of Florida. * WHEN...In Effect. * IMPACTS...A Small Craft Advisory means that wind speeds of 20 to 33 knots, or seas of 7 feet or greater, are expected to produce hazardous conditions for small craft. These hazardous conditions may result in poor vessel handling and steering response, broaching, overturned dinghies and kayaks, slips and falls on slippery decks, rub damage along docks and seawalls, swamped bows at reef tract mooring balls, and dragging anchors. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Inexperienced boaters, especially those with smaller vessels, should avoid operating in these conditions. && $$ MJV
9 follow-up statements
822 WHUS72 KKEY 021431 MWWKEY URGENT - MARINE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Key West FL 1031 AM EDT Thu Apr 2 2026 GMZ052>055-072>075-022245- /O.CON.KKEY.SC.Y.0013.000000T0000Z-260403T0900Z/ Straits of Florida from Ocean Reef to Craig Key out 20 NM- Straits of Florida from Craig Key to west end of Seven Mile Bridge out 20 NM- Straits of Florida from west end of Seven Mile Bridge to south of Halfmoon Shoal out 20 NM- Straits of Florida from Halfmoon Shoal to 20 NM west of Dry Tortugas out 20 NM- Straits of Florida from Ocean Reef to Craig Key 20 to 60 NM out- Straits of Florida from Craig Key to west end of Seven Mile Bridge 20 to 60 NM out- Straits of Florida from west end of Seven Mile Bridge to south of Halfmoon Shoal 20 to 60 NM out- Straits of Florida from Halfmoon Shoal to 20 NM west of Dry Tortugas 20 to 60 NM out- 1031 AM EDT Thu Apr 2 2026 ...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT... * WHAT...East winds near 20 kt and seas 5 to 7 ft. * WHERE...Straits of Florida. * WHEN...In Effect. * IMPACTS...A Small Craft Advisory means that wind speeds of 20 to 33 knots, or seas of 7 feet or greater, are expected to produce hazardous conditions for small craft. These hazardous conditions may result in poor vessel handling and steering response, broaching, overturned dinghies and kayaks, slips and falls on slippery decks, rub damage along docks and seawalls, swamped bows at reef tract mooring balls, and dragging anchors. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Inexperienced boaters, especially those with smaller vessels, should avoid operating in these conditions. && $$
492 WHUS72 KKEY 022032 MWWKEY URGENT - MARINE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Key West FL 432 PM EDT Thu Apr 2 2026 GMZ032>035-042>044-030445- /O.EXA.KKEY.SC.Y.0013.000000T0000Z-260403T0900Z/ Bayside and Gulfside from Craig Key to west end of Seven Mile Bridge- Gulf of America from East Cape Sable to Chokoloskee 20 to 60 NM out and beyond 5 fathoms- Gulf of America including Dry Tortugas and Rebecca Shoal Channel- Gulf of America from west end of Seven Mile Bridge to Halfmoon Shoal out to 5 Fathoms- Hawk Channel from Ocean Reef to Craig Key out to the reef- Hawk Channel from Craig Key to west end of Seven Mile Bridge out to the reef- Hawk Channel from west end of Seven Mile Bridge to Halfmoon Shoal out to the reef- 432 PM EDT Thu Apr 2 2026 ...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT... * WHAT...East winds near 20 kt. * WHERE...Hawk Channel, and Gulf waters including the Dry Tortugas. * WHEN...In Effect. * IMPACTS...A Small Craft Advisory means that wind speeds of 20 to 33 knots, or seas of 7 feet or greater, are expected to produce hazardous conditions for small craft. These hazardous conditions may result in poor vessel handling and steering response, broaching, overturned dinghies and kayaks, slips and falls on slippery decks, rub damage along docks and seawalls, swamped bows at reef tract mooring balls, and dragging anchors. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Inexperienced boaters, especially those with smaller vessels, should avoid operating in these conditions. && $$ GMZ052>055-072>075-030445- /O.CON.KKEY.SC.Y.0013.000000T0000Z-260403T0900Z/ Straits of Florida from Ocean Reef to Craig Key out 20 NM- Straits of Florida from Craig Key to west end of Seven Mile Bridge out 20 NM- Straits of Florida from west end of Seven Mile Bridge to south of Halfmoon Shoal out 20 NM- Straits of Florida from Halfmoon Shoal to 20 NM west of Dry Tortugas out 20 NM- Straits of Florida from Ocean Reef to Craig Key 20 to 60 NM out- Straits of Florida from Craig Key to west end of Seven Mile Bridge 20 to 60 NM out- Straits of Florida from west end of Seven Mile Bridge to south of Halfmoon Shoal 20 to 60 NM out- Straits of Florida from Halfmoon Shoal to 20 NM west of Dry Tortugas 20 to 60 NM out- 432 PM EDT Thu Apr 2 2026 ...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT... * WHAT...East winds near 20 kt and seas up to 7 ft. * WHERE...Straits of Florida. * WHEN...In Effect. * IMPACTS...A Small Craft Advisory means that wind speeds of 20 to 33 knots, or seas of 7 feet or greater, are expected to produce hazardous conditions for small craft. These hazardous conditions may result in poor vessel handling and steering response, broaching, overturned dinghies and kayaks, slips and falls on slippery decks, rub damage along docks and seawalls, swamped bows at reef tract mooring balls, and dragging anchors. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Inexperienced boaters, especially those with smaller vessels, should avoid operating in these conditions. && $$
328 WHUS72 KKEY 030236 MWWKEY URGENT - MARINE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Key West FL 1036 PM EDT Thu Apr 2 2026 GMZ032>035-042>044-052>055-072>075-030900- /O.CON.KKEY.SC.Y.0013.000000T0000Z-260403T0900Z/ Bayside and Gulfside from Craig Key to west end of Seven Mile Bridge- Gulf of America from East Cape Sable to Chokoloskee 20 to 60 NM out and beyond 5 fathoms- Gulf of America including Dry Tortugas and Rebecca Shoal Channel- Gulf of America from west end of Seven Mile Bridge to Halfmoon Shoal out to 5 Fathoms- Hawk Channel from Ocean Reef to Craig Key out to the reef- Hawk Channel from Craig Key to west end of Seven Mile Bridge out to the reef- Hawk Channel from west end of Seven Mile Bridge to Halfmoon Shoal out to the reef- 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- 1036 PM EDT Thu Apr 2 2026 ...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT... * WHAT...East winds near 20 ktnots. Across the Straits of Florida, east winds 20 to 25 knots and seas up to 7 feet. * WHERE...Straits of Florida, Hawk Channel, and Gulf waters including the Dry Tortugas. * WHEN...In Effect. * IMPACTS...A Small Craft Advisory means that wind speeds of 20 to 33 knots, or seas of 7 feet or greater, are expected to produce hazardous conditions for small craft. These hazardous conditions may result in poor vessel handling and steering response, broaching, overturned dinghies and kayaks, slips and falls on slippery decks, rub damage along docks and seawalls, swamped bows at reef tract mooring balls, and dragging anchors. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Inexperienced boaters, especially those with smaller vessels, should avoid operating in these conditions. && $$
155 WHUS72 KKEY 030451 AAA MWWKEY URGENT - MARINE WEATHER MESSAGE...UPDATED National Weather Service Key West FL 1251 AM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026 GMZ031-030900- /O.EXA.KKEY.SC.Y.0013.000000T0000Z-260403T0900Z/ Florida Bay including Barnes Sound, Blackwater Sound, and Buttonwood Sound- 1251 AM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026 ...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT... * WHAT...East winds near 20 kt with gusts up to 25 kt. * WHERE...Florida Bay. * WHEN...In Effect. * IMPACTS...A Small Craft Advisory means that wind speeds of 20 to 33 knots, or seas of 7 feet or greater, are expected to produce hazardous conditions for small craft. These hazardous conditions may result in poor vessel handling and steering response, broaching, overturned dinghies and kayaks, slips and falls on slippery decks, rub damage along docks and seawalls, swamped bows at reef tract mooring balls, and dragging anchors. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Inexperienced boaters, especially those with smaller vessels, should avoid operating in these conditions. && $$ GMZ032>035-042>044-052>055-072>075-030900- /O.CON.KKEY.SC.Y.0013.000000T0000Z-260403T0900Z/ Bayside and Gulfside from Craig Key to west end of Seven Mile Bridge- Gulf of America from East Cape Sable to Chokoloskee 20 to 60 NM out and beyond 5 fathoms- Gulf of America including Dry Tortugas and Rebecca Shoal Channel- Gulf of America from west end of Seven Mile Bridge to Halfmoon Shoal out to 5 Fathoms- Hawk Channel from Ocean Reef to Craig Key out to the reef- Hawk Channel from Craig Key to west end of Seven Mile Bridge out to the reef- Hawk Channel from west end of Seven Mile Bridge to Halfmoon Shoal out to the reef- 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- 1251 AM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026 ...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT... * WHAT...East winds near 20 knots. Across the Straits of Florida, east winds 20 to 25 knots and seas up to 7 feet. * WHERE...Straits of Florida, Hawk Channel, and Gulf waters including the Dry Tortugas. * WHEN...In Effect. * IMPACTS...A Small Craft Advisory means that wind speeds of 20 to 33 knots, or seas of 7 feet or greater, are expected to produce hazardous conditions for small craft. These hazardous conditions may result in poor vessel handling and steering response, broaching, overturned dinghies and kayaks, slips and falls on slippery decks, rub damage along docks and seawalls, swamped bows at reef tract mooring balls, and dragging anchors. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Inexperienced boaters, especially those with smaller vessels, should avoid operating in these conditions. && $$ MJV
140 WHUS72 KKEY 030826 MWWKEY URGENT - MARINE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Key West FL 426 AM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026 GMZ031>035-042>044-052>055-072>075-031500- /O.EXT.KKEY.SC.Y.0013.000000T0000Z-260404T0900Z/ Florida Bay including Barnes Sound, Blackwater Sound, and Buttonwood Sound- Bayside and Gulfside from Craig Key to west end of Seven Mile Bridge- Gulf of America from East Cape Sable to Chokoloskee 20 to 60 NM out and beyond 5 fathoms- Gulf of America including Dry Tortugas and Rebecca Shoal Channel- Gulf of America from west end of Seven Mile Bridge to Halfmoon Shoal out to 5 Fathoms- Hawk Channel from Ocean Reef to Craig Key out to the reef- Hawk Channel from Craig Key to west end of Seven Mile Bridge out to the reef- Hawk Channel from west end of Seven Mile Bridge to Halfmoon Shoal out to the reef- 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- 426 AM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026 ...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT... * WHAT...East winds near 20 knots. Across the Straits of Florida, east winds 20 to 25 knots and seas up to 8 feet. * WHERE...Straits of Florida, Hawk Channel, Gulf waters including the Dry Tortugas, Bayside and Gulfside waters, and Florida Bay. * WHEN...In Effect. * IMPACTS...A Small Craft Advisory means that wind speeds of 20 to 33 knots, or seas of 7 feet or greater, are expected to produce hazardous conditions for small craft. These hazardous conditions may result in poor vessel handling and steering response, broaching, overturned dinghies and kayaks, slips and falls on slippery decks, rub damage along docks and seawalls, swamped bows at reef tract mooring balls, and dragging anchors. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Inexperienced boaters, especially those with smaller vessels, should avoid operating in these conditions. && $$ MJV
298 WHUS72 KKEY 031436 MWWKEY URGENT - MARINE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Key West FL 1036 AM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026 GMZ031>035-042>044-052>055-072>075-032245- /O.CON.KKEY.SC.Y.0013.000000T0000Z-260404T0900Z/ Florida Bay including Barnes Sound, Blackwater Sound, and Buttonwood Sound- Bayside and Gulfside from Craig Key to west end of Seven Mile Bridge- Gulf of America from East Cape Sable to Chokoloskee 20 to 60 NM out and beyond 5 fathoms- Gulf of America including Dry Tortugas and Rebecca Shoal Channel- Gulf of America from west end of Seven Mile Bridge to Halfmoon Shoal out to 5 Fathoms- Hawk Channel from Ocean Reef to Craig Key out to the reef- Hawk Channel from Craig Key to west end of Seven Mile Bridge out to the reef- Hawk Channel from west end of Seven Mile Bridge to Halfmoon Shoal out to the reef- 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- 1036 AM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026 ...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT... * WHAT...East winds near 20 knots. Across the Straits of Florida, east winds 20 to 25 knots and seas up to 8 feet. * WHERE...Straits of Florida, Hawk Channel, Gulf waters including the Dry Tortugas, Bayside and Gulfside waters, and Florida Bay. * WHEN...In Effect. * IMPACTS...A Small Craft Advisory means that wind speeds of 20 to 33 knots, or seas of 7 feet or greater, are expected to produce hazardous conditions for small craft. These hazardous conditions may result in poor vessel handling and steering response, broaching, overturned dinghies and kayaks, slips and falls on slippery decks, rub damage along docks and seawalls, swamped bows at reef tract mooring balls, and dragging anchors. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Inexperienced boaters, especially those with smaller vessels, should avoid operating in these conditions. && $$
273 WHUS72 KKEY 032046 MWWKEY URGENT - MARINE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Key West FL 446 PM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026 GMZ031>035-042>044-052>055-072>075-040500- /O.CON.KKEY.SC.Y.0013.000000T0000Z-260404T0900Z/ Florida Bay including Barnes Sound, Blackwater Sound, and Buttonwood Sound- Bayside and Gulfside from Craig Key to west end of Seven Mile Bridge- Gulf of America from East Cape Sable to Chokoloskee 20 to 60 NM out and beyond 5 fathoms- Gulf of America including Dry Tortugas and Rebecca Shoal Channel- Gulf of America from west end of Seven Mile Bridge to Halfmoon Shoal out to 5 Fathoms- Hawk Channel from Ocean Reef to Craig Key out to the reef- Hawk Channel from Craig Key to west end of Seven Mile Bridge out to the reef- Hawk Channel from west end of Seven Mile Bridge to Halfmoon Shoal out to the reef- 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- 446 PM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026 ...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT... * WHAT...East winds near 20 knots. Across the Straits of Florida, east winds 20 to 25 knots and seas up to 8 feet. * WHERE...Straits of Florida, Hawk Channel, Gulf waters including the Dry Tortugas, Bayside and Gulfside waters, and Florida Bay. * WHEN...In Effect. * IMPACTS...A Small Craft Advisory means that wind speeds of 20 to 33 knots, or seas of 7 feet or greater, are expected to produce hazardous conditions for small craft. These hazardous conditions may result in poor vessel handling and steering response, broaching, overturned dinghies and kayaks, slips and falls on slippery decks, rub damage along docks and seawalls, swamped bows at reef tract mooring balls, and dragging anchors. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Inexperienced boaters, especially those with smaller vessels, should avoid operating in these conditions. && $$
697 WHUS72 KKEY 040231 MWWKEY URGENT - MARINE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Key West FL 1031 PM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026 GMZ031>035-042>044-052>055-072>075-040900- /O.CON.KKEY.SC.Y.0013.000000T0000Z-260404T0900Z/ Florida Bay including Barnes Sound, Blackwater Sound, and Buttonwood Sound- Bayside and Gulfside from Craig Key to west end of Seven Mile Bridge- Gulf of America from East Cape Sable to Chokoloskee 20 to 60 NM out and beyond 5 fathoms- Gulf of America including Dry Tortugas and Rebecca Shoal Channel- Gulf of America from west end of Seven Mile Bridge to Halfmoon Shoal out to 5 Fathoms- Hawk Channel from Ocean Reef to Craig Key out to the reef- Hawk Channel from Craig Key to west end of Seven Mile Bridge out to the reef- Hawk Channel from west end of Seven Mile Bridge to Halfmoon Shoal out to the reef- 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- 1031 PM EDT Fri Apr 3 2026 ...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT... * WHAT...East winds near 20 knots. Across the Straits of Florida, east winds 20 to 25 knots and seas up to 8 feet. * WHERE...Straits of Florida, Hawk Channel, Gulf waters including the Dry Tortugas, and Florida Bay. * WHEN...In Effect. * IMPACTS...A Small Craft Advisory means that wind speeds of 20 to 33 knots, or seas of 7 feet or greater, are expected to produce hazardous conditions for small craft. These hazardous conditions may result in poor vessel handling and steering response, broaching, overturned dinghies and kayaks, slips and falls on slippery decks, rub damage along docks and seawalls, swamped bows at reef tract mooring balls, and dragging anchors. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Inexperienced boaters, especially those with smaller vessels, should avoid operating in these conditions. && $$
382 WHUS72 KKEY 040822 MWWKEY URGENT - MARINE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Key West FL 422 AM EDT Sat Apr 4 2026 GMZ031>035-042>044-052>055-072>075-040930- /O.CON.KKEY.SC.Y.0013.000000T0000Z-260404T0900Z/ Florida Bay including Barnes Sound, Blackwater Sound, and Buttonwood Sound- Bayside and Gulfside from Craig Key to west end of Seven Mile Bridge- Gulf of America from East Cape Sable to Chokoloskee 20 to 60 NM out and beyond 5 fathoms- Gulf of America including Dry Tortugas and Rebecca Shoal Channel- Gulf of America from west end of Seven Mile Bridge to Halfmoon Shoal out to 5 Fathoms- Hawk Channel from Ocean Reef to Craig Key out to the reef- Hawk Channel from Craig Key to west end of Seven Mile Bridge out to the reef- Hawk Channel from west end of Seven Mile Bridge to Halfmoon Shoal out to the reef- 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- 422 AM EDT Sat Apr 4 2026 ...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT... * WHAT...East winds near 20 knots. Across the Straits of Florida, seas up to 7 feet. * WHERE...Straits of Florida, Hawk Channel, Gulf waters including the Dry Tortugas, and Florida Bay. * WHEN...In Effect. * IMPACTS...A Small Craft Advisory means that wind speeds of 20 to 33 knots, or seas of 7 feet or greater, are expected to produce hazardous conditions for small craft. These hazardous conditions may result in poor vessel handling and steering response, broaching, overturned dinghies and kayaks, slips and falls on slippery decks, rub damage along docks and seawalls, swamped bows at reef tract mooring balls, and dragging anchors. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Inexperienced boaters, especially those with smaller vessels, should avoid operating in these conditions. && $$
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this small craft advisory went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Key West, FL wrote its last area forecast discussion before this small craft advisory went out at Apr 1, 10:54 PM EDT, 5 hours 31 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Breezy conditions will continue through the rest of the week, and into the start of the weekend. Across the Florida Straits, a Small Craft Advisory remains in effect.
- The fast flow and modest moisture will result in a slight chance of showers over the next couple of days.
Area forecast discussion, Apr 1, 10:54 PM EDT, 5 hours 31 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Key West FL
1054 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
...New DISCUSSION, MARINE, AVIATION...
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Breezy conditions will continue through the rest of the week,
and into the start of the weekend. Across the Florida Straits, a
Small Craft Advisory remains in effect.
- The fast flow and modest moisture will result in a slight chance
of showers over the next couple of days.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 1010 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
An expansive area of high pressure stretching across Florida with
a tight pressure gradient has kept weather conditions breezy, but
mostly dry, through the evening shift as April Fools Day comes to
an end. The sparse surface observations along the Keys have
reported sustained winds of 15 to 20 mph with occasional gusts
near 25 mph. Temperatures are in the mid to upper 70s with dew
points in the mid to upper 60s. All together, while the breezy
weather may be annoying, things don't feel too bad outside this
evening.
Even without a notable lifting mechanism, the combination of
modest moisture undulations and areas of some low level speed
convergence have resulted in a line of light showers being picked
up by our KBYX radar. These showers are moving westward at near
15 knots, or near 17 mph, and it's closest approach to the Keys
will be just south of Key West sometime around midnight. Taking
into consideration that the 00Z KKEY sounding from this evening
sampled a reasonably moist lower level, and a few pockets of drier
air aloft, so we can't rule out a few pop up showers during the
overnight hours. Since showers have been supported through the
evening, there isn't much of a reason to suggest that the
forecast area will remain dry overnight.Carrying the inherited 10%
PoPs seems reasonable for this evening update.
The only adjustment made to this evening update was extending the
Small Craft Advisory until Thursday morning due to easterly winds
remaining elevated. No other changes are needed at this time.
&&
.MARINE...
Issued at 1010 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
A Small Craft Advisory remains in effect for the Florida Straits
due to easterly winds near 20 knots and seas up to 7 feet. Small
Craft Should Exercise Caution across all other marine zones as
moderate to fresh breezes will continue over the next few days.
&&
.AVIATION...
(00Z TAFS)
Issued at 1010 PM EDT Wed Apr 1 2026
VFR conditions will prevail at both terminals with SCT to
occasionally BKN decks near FL030. Skies will clear up shortly
after sunrise. Surface winds will remain easterly near 15 knots
with infrequent gusts near 20 knots. There is a low chance of some
light showers near either terminal, but opting to key TAFs dry for
now until activity drifts closer.
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Key West 74 82 74 83 / 10 10 20 20
Marathon 73 82 74 82 / 10 20 20 20
&&
.KEY WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...None.
GM...Small Craft Advisory until 2 AM EDT Thursday for GMZ052>055-
072>075.
&&
Public/Marine/Fire...DP
Aviation/Nowcasts....DP
Data Acquisition.....11
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www.twitter.com/nwskeywestThe office that day
Everything else NWS Key West, FL issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2, 7:07 PM EDT | Special Marine Warning | KEY | 23 min | |
| Apr 2, 7:15 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | KEY | Miami-Dade | 30 min |
Nearby
Small Craft Advisories in Florida, 2026Every small craft advisory in 2026
Sources
The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text.