Special Marine Warning Issued for Gulf Waters Off East Cape Sable to Chokoloskee
This alert is no longer in effect.
NOAA issued it on April 5, 2026, 4 months ago. Warnings of this kind stay in effect for hours to a few days, so this page is a historical record of what was issued, not a current warning. For conditions where you are right now, check weather.gov (US), weather.gc.ca (Canada), the Met Office (UK), or the Bureau of Meteorology (Australia).
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The National Weather Service has issued a Special Marine Warning for Gulf waters until 1:30 AM EDT due to a strong thunderstorm with wind gusts exceeding 34 knots.
Read this weather record in 30 seconds
- Record type
- Special Marine Warning
- Affected area
- Gulf of America (East Cape Sable to Chokoloskee)
- Issued
- April 5, 2026
- Issuing authority
- NWS Key West
Marine notices apply to named waters or shoreline zones. They may not describe conditions on land, even when the nearest place name is the same.
Record status: historical. It was issued 4 months ago; use the issuing agency's live warning service for current conditions in Gulf of America (East Cape Sable to Chokoloskee).
Alert Details
The National Weather Service in Key West FL has issued a Special Marine Warning (SMW) for the Gulf of America. This alert is effective immediately as a strong thunderstorm moves through the region.
Affected Areas
The warning covers the Gulf waters from East Cape Sable to Chokoloskee, specifically 20 to 60 nautical miles out and beyond 5 fathoms. At 1:00 AM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located approximately 11 nautical miles northwest of Smith Shoal Light.
Expected Conditions
The identified thunderstorm is moving north at 10 knots. Mariners in the warning area should expect the following hazards:
- Wind Gusts: 34 knots or greater.
- Sea Conditions: Suddenly higher waves and steep, fast-building seas.
- Weather: Frequent lightning and blinding downpours.
According to the National Weather Service, the strong thunderstorm is expected to remain primarily over open waters.
What You Should Do
Boaters and mariners in the affected area should take immediate safety precautions:
- Prepare for wind gusts exceeding 34 knots and suddenly hazardous sea conditions.
- Stay low or go below deck to avoid lightning and wind hazards.
- Ensure all individuals on board are wearing life jackets.
- Avoid the area until the storm has passed.
Timeline
The Special Marine Warning is in effect from 1:00 AM EDT until 1:30 AM EDT on March 16, 2026.
Original source: NOAA Official Notice ↗
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