FXUS62 KKEY 190934 AFDKEY Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Key West FL 534 AM EDT Thu Mar 19 2026 ...New DISCUSSION, MARINE, AVIATION... .KEY MESSAGES... - A slightly wetter pattern will remain in place as we head into the weekend while the best chances for thunder are confined to the Florida Straits. - Breezy to windy conditions will continue, with Small Craft Advisory in place through today, winds will gradually slacken thereafter. - Pending the next update on the drought status along the Keys, drought conditions are expected to improve after beneficial rainfall continues. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 534 AM EDT Thu Mar 19 2026 KBYX has been steady busy overnight with a line of showers stretching from the Upper Keys down into the distant Straits south of the Middle Keys. Though this line has existed for a majority of the night, the island chain has remained mostly dry due to the shallowness of these showers. Temperatures across the island chain are in the upper 60s with dew points near 60. Small Craft Advisory is in effect for all of the coastal waters and the current Reef observations support that recording near 20 knots. While showers are possible throughout today, models are suggesting a majority of the activity will remain in the Straits. High pressure has built in behind the recent cold front passage earlier in the week. This has resulted in fresh to occasionally strong breezes across the coastal waters. These fresh to strong breezes will start to slacken overnight into Friday as the high starts to lose it's grip. As the weekend unfolds, rain chances will decrease with only a slight chance expected through early next week. Temperatures will start to gradually warm back up from our brief cool temperatures, though the dew points will remain near 60 making for a pleasant few upcoming days! && .MARINE... Issued at 534 AM EDT Thu Mar 19 2026 Small Craft Advisory is in effect for all of the Florida Keys waters through at least this afternoon. From synopsis, high pressure building in behind the recent frontal passage will maintain fresh to occasionally strong breezes through tonight. Rain chances will remain elevated through the week with the best chances for thunder across the Straits of Florida. Breezes will slacken appreciably beginning Friday, with light to gentle breezes expected for the weekend. && .AVIATION... (06Z TAFS) Issued at 534 AM EDT Thu Mar 19 2026 Skies will remain overcast for a majority of the day, though the MVFR ceilings will likely lift to VFR heights after sunrise. Near surface winds will be northeast at near 15 knots with frequent gusts of 20 to 25 knots. && .KEY WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... FL...None. GM...Small Craft Advisory until 9 PM EDT this evening for GMZ031>035- 042>044-052>055-072>075. && $$ Public/Marine/Fire...AP Aviation/Nowcasts....AP Data Acquisition.....AP Visit us on the web at weather.gov/key Follow us on Facebook and Twitter at: www.facebook.com/nwskeywest www.twitter.com/nwskeywest