BREAKING: National Weather Service Predicts Small Craft Advisories in Early Evening
NWS advises those living in mooring fields or at anchor to make preparations and use caution if traveling by dinghy.
From the Chris Rothwell at the National Weather Service in Key West:
Small Craft Advisory conditions are expected as early as this evening
Sustained northwest to north winds will peak at 25 to 30 knots around and after midnight
A potent winter storm system spread across the Four Corners Region, the Mississippi and Ohio River Valleys, and the northeastern United States over the weekend. It is now our turn. A thin line of showers will push through the Keys around sunset, followed by a sharp shift in winds to the northwest to north with the cold front passage. Sustained northwest to north winds initially will range from 20 to 25 knots, but will peak in the 25 to 30 knot range around and after midnight. Dighy commuters should be mindful of this evening’s freshening breezes, and Small Craft Advisories likely will persist through mid-morning on Tuesday. Breezes will surge once again on Wednesday night as a reinforcing shot of arctic air spills through the Keys. Looking forward to the weekend, we will be watching for a potentially stronger northwesterly wind surge on Saturday or Saturday night. We will update as needed later in the week.
If you live or work in a mooring field or anchorage (e.g., Key West Bight or Boot Key Harbor), please remember that winds of these magnitudes can flip dinghies. Plan your transits to and from the mooring fields and anchorages accordingly, and always wear a life jacket—it is the most proven way to save a life.
For more information, please consult the following sources.
Florida Keys Marine Weather Page:
https://www.weather.gov/key/marine
NOAA/NWS Florida Keys Home Page:
Social Media:
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/NWSKeyWest)