####018002175#### FPUS72 KKEY 230759 NOWKEY Short Term Forecast National Weather Service Key West FL 359 AM EDT Sat Mar 23 2024 FLZ076>078-GMZ031>035-042>044-052>055-072>075-230900- Monroe Upper Keys-Monroe Middle Keys-Monroe Lower Keys- Florida Bay including Barnes Sound, Blackwater Sound, and Buttonwood Sound- Bayside and Gulf side from Craig Key to west end of Seven Mile Bridge- Gulf waters from East Cape Sable to Chokoloskee 20 to 60 NM out and beyond 5 fathoms- Gulf of Mexico including Dry Tortugas and Rebecca Shoal Channel- Gulf of Mexico 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- Including the Communities of Key Largo, Marathon, and Key West 359 AM EDT Sat Mar 23 2024 .NOW... Through 500 am, scattered showers with a stray embedded thunderstorm will continue to track east to northeastward at 25 to 30 mph, across the Florida Keys. The strongest activity will remain over the waters. However, the Lower Keys may be brushed by moderate to heavy activity. Mariners and residents can expect wind gusts of 25 to 30 knots, blinding downpours, and a stray lightning strike. On land, additional rainfall amounts of one half to three quarters of an inch will be possible. $$ AJP