####018001275#### FPUS72 KKEY 230358 NOWKEY Short Term Forecast National Weather Service Key West FL 1158 PM EDT Fri Mar 22 2024 FLZ076>078-GMZ031-032-035-042>044-230500- 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 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- Including the Communities of Key Largo, Marathon, and Key West 1158 PM EDT Fri Mar 22 2024 .NOW... Through 1 AM, widespread showers with embedded thunderstorms will continue to track east to northeastward at 25 to 35 mph, across the Florida Keys. The stronger activity will move through the Middle and Upper Keys, and will be capable of producing wind gusts near 40 mph, blinding downpours, and at times, frequent lightning strikes. Additional rainfall amounts of three quarter to one and one half of an inch will be possible. $$ AJP