Special Marine Warning: Straits of Florida Craig Key to Halfmoon Shoal
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NWS Key West has issued a Special Marine Warning for the Straits of Florida until 6:00 AM EDT due to a strong thunderstorm with possible waterspouts.
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- Record type
- Special Marine Warning
- Affected area
- Straits of Florida
- Issued
- September 19, 2026
- Issuing authority
- NWS Key West FL
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: publication date is recent, but current status is not stored on this page. Check the issuing agency's live warning service before acting because warnings can be updated, narrowed, or cancelled.
Alert Details
A Special Marine Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service Key West FL. The alert is effective from September 19, 2026 at 5:24 AM EDT until September 19, 2026 at 6:00 AM EDT.
Affected Areas
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.
What You Should Do
Prepare for wind gusts in excess of 34 knots, steep and fast-building seas, frequent lightning, and blinding downpours. Stay low or go below, and make sure all on board are wearing life jackets. Seek safe harbor immediately.
Expected Conditions
A strong thunderstorm with possible waterspouts was located 37 nm southeast of Wood's Wall East Crack, moving southeast at 5 knots. Hazards include waterspouts and wind gusts 34 knots or greater. Expect wind gusts in excess of 34 knots, suddenly higher waves, frequent lightning, and heavy downpours.
Timeline
The warning is in effect from 5:24 AM EDT until 6:00 AM EDT on September 19, 2026.
Original source: NOAA Official Notice ↗
Related Weather Alerts
All Weather Alerts →Nationwide notices with similar length or severity timing 8
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Nearest notices by article body length (1,075 characters here).
Similar severity timing
Same severity (high) notices issued closest in time to September 19, 2026.
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