827 FXUS62 KKEY 231446 AFDKEY Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Key West FL 1046 AM EDT Fri Apr 23 2021 .DISCUSSION... Over the past 24 hours, mean layer ridging centered over Central America has consolidated and pressed to the northeast, closer to the Florida Keys. The center of the lower-tropospheric ridging is overtop the Florida Keys, and supports a large anticyclone centered over the Carolinas. Northeast to east winds average 13 to 17 knots along the Reef. Temperatures are in the lower 80s with dewpoints near 70. Skies are mostly sunny and the KBYX radar detects isolated showers. The forecast calls for slight rain chances (10%) through the afternoon, which appears appropriate given the lack of deep moisture and pervasive subsidence. No changes needed or planned. && .MARINE... Breezes have peaked this morning, and should relax a couple knots over the next several hours. High pressure over the Southeast United States will press equatorward and down the Sunshine State through early Saturday, resulting in freshening easterly winds tonight. Meanwhile, this region of high pressure will slide into the Western Atlantic, breezes will clock around to the east to southeast Friday night into Saturday. Breezes will slacken gradually through the remainder of the weekend. A trough in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico will approach our region Sunday, before limping into and then dissipating over our area Sunday night and early Monday. Another High pressure cell will build in our region early next week, resulting in freshening breezes through Wednesday. && .AVIATION... VFR conditions will prevail at both EYW and MTH island terminals through 00z this evening. Only passing FEW TO SCT cumulus clouds based between 020-030 expected, with low shower chances. Mainly east winds 10 to 13 knots, with occasional gusts near 20 knots will continue through this evening. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Key West 85 77 86 78 / 10 10 - 10 Marathon 87 77 88 78 / 10 10 - 10 && .KEY WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... FL...None. GM...None. && $$ Public/Marine/Fire...CLR Aviation/Nowcasts....BT Data Acquisition.....JAM Visit us on the web at weather.gov/key Follow us on Facebook and Twitter at: www.facebook.com/nwskeywest www.twitter.com/nwskeywest