WHUS52 KKEY 170256
SMWKEY
GMZ031-042-052-072-170330-
/O.NEW.KKEY.MA.W.0031.260317T0256Z-260317T0330Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Special Marine Warning
National Weather Service Key West FL
1056 PM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026

The National Weather Service in Key West has issued a

* Special Marine Warning for...
  Hawk Channel and Straits of Florida from Ocean Reef to Craig Key
  out 60 nm...
  Florida Bay including Barnes Sound, Blackwater Sound, and
  Buttonwood Sound...

* Until 1130 PM EDT.

* At 1055 PM EDT, strong thunderstorms were located along a line
  extending from Cotton Key to near South Rips, moving northeast at
  15 knots.

  HAZARD...Wind gusts 34 knots or greater.

  SOURCE...National Weather Service Meteorologist.

  IMPACT...Expect wind gusts in excess of 34 knots, suddenly higher
           waves, frequent lightning, and heavy downpours.

* Locations in the warning include...
  Buttonwood Sound, Mosquito Bank Light, Tavernier Creek, French Ref,
  Cotton Key, Molasses Reef Light, and Hens & Chickens Light.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Boaters should seek safe harbor as quickly, and as safely as
possible. When downpours reduce visibility, slow down.

Intense and continuous lightning is occurring with these storms. Stay
low, or go below. Lower VHF antenna, outriggers, fishing rods, and
umbrellas.

&&

LAT...LON 2516 8039 2514 8041 2517 8046 2515 8046
      2512 8042 2507 8047 2514 8037 2483 8010
      2465 8044 2490 8065 2494 8062 2491 8065
      2498 8071 2524 8053 2522 8053 2524 8051
      2520 8050 2523 8050 2524 8046
TIME...MOT...LOC 0255Z 224DEG 17KT 2498 8062 2476 8045

HAIL...0.00IN
WIND...>34KTS

$$

LIW