Miami Florida for 01-03-2025

Rough Seas Ahead: Florida Coastal Waters Forecast Signals Challenging Marine Conditions

A significant marine weather system is developing along Florida's coastal waters, promising challenging conditions for boaters and maritime operators this weekend. The National Weather Service Miami has issued a comprehensive forecast highlighting increasing winds and building seas across Atlantic and Gulf coastal regions.

A weakening cold front is approaching the area, bringing north-northeasterly winds that will gradually intensify. By Saturday, mariners can expect north winds ranging from 15 to 20 knots with gusts up to 25 knots. Seas will dramatically increase, potentially reaching 5 to 7 feet with occasional heights approaching 9 feet in some areas.

A Small Craft Advisory is in effect for Atlantic waters from Jupiter Inlet to Ocean Reef, running from 10 PM tonight until early Sunday morning. Boaters should exercise extreme caution and consider postponing non-essential maritime activities.

The Gulf Stream presents additional challenges, with north-northwest winds expected to reach 20 to 25 knots and seas building to 7 feet between Friday night and Saturday night. Current Gulf Stream data indicates its western wall extends approximately 1 nautical mile northeast of Fowey Rocks and up to 7 nautical miles east of Port Everglades.

Coastal regions from Deerfield Beach to Ocean Reef will experience similar conditions, with north winds and seas creating potentially hazardous marine environments. Intracoastal waters are predicted to have a moderate chop throughout the weekend.

Local marine enthusiasts and professional mariners are advised to monitor ongoing weather updates and prepare accordingly. Safety should remain the top priority during these developing maritime conditions.