Update AFD Area Forecast Discussion — Tue Mar 24, 2026 4:54 AM

AFDKEY

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Key West FL
440 AM EDT Tue Mar 24 2026

...New DISCUSSION, MARINE, AVIATION...

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Light to gentle breezes will continue through the rest of the
  work week.

- Mainly dry conditions along with near-normal temperatures will
  also continue through Friday.

- Despite rainfall last week, drought conditions persist for the
  entire island chain. These conditions may worsen over the next
  several days due to lack of measurable rainfall for most
  locations.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 440 AM EDT Tue Mar 24 2026
Yet again another tranquil overnight persists, as KBYX continues
to detect a lack of precipitation. Nighttime Microphysics
satellite imagery indicates a thin boundary line of clouds across
the Straits of Florida though nothing has sparked from it and
elsewhere remains cloud free. Surface observations across the
island chain show temperatures near 70F with dew points in the
lower 60s. Marine observations along the Reef report light winds
generally ranging from 5 to 10 knots. For today, similar
conditions will once again persist. Stability in the atmosphere
from the nearby high pressure will support mostly sunny skies,
with near nil rain chances. Light to gentle northeasterly winds
will potentially become variable during the afternoon as pressure
gradient weakens.

Looking ahead to the rest of the week, high pressure will remain
the dominate feature influencing the Keys, maintaining a dry and
stable air mass. Therefore, minimal changes are anticipated
through the next few days with continued low rain chances and
mostly clear skies. In the extended period, a frontal boundary is
projected to approach the region around Sunday. While significant
temperatures variability is not currently expected with this
front, it is likely to be accompanied by freshening of breezes,
potentially reaching fresh to strong. Details in the forecast
regarding timing and intensity will become more refined as it gets
closer to time. Stay tuned!

&&

.MARINE...
Issued at 440 AM EDT Tue Mar 24 2026
No watches, warnings, or advisories are currently in effect for
the Florida Keys waters. From synopsis, high pressure centered in
the Gulf just to the west of the Florida Peninsula and will remain
in place through the next several days while weakening. This will
support a stagnant pattern of generally light to gentle north to
northeast breezes As a secondary high builds in the west- central
Atlantic, will veer to the northeast to east and freshen late in
the work week through the weekend.

&&

.AVIATION...
(06Z TAFS)
Issued at 440 AM EDT Tue Mar 24 2026
VFR conditions will prevail at both EYW and MTH through the TAF
period. Dry air will limit any shower activity and keep cloud
coverage to a minimum. Near surface winds will be northeasterly at
5 to 10 knots through the afternoon.

&&

.KEY WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
FL...None.
GM...None.
&&

$$