Navigating Florida’s beautiful coastal waters, from Jupiter Inlet down to Bonita Beach, demands careful attention to weather conditions. The National Weather Service (NWS), a vital part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), plays a crucial role in providing mariners and coastal communities with the information they need. While the NWS has offices across the nation, including in Fort Worth, Texas, their commitment to safety and accurate forecasting extends to every coastline. This detailed marine forecast, issued by the NWS, exemplifies the kind of essential information provided to ensure safe boating and coastal activities.
This forecast specifically covers the Atlantic coastal waters from Jupiter Inlet to Ocean Reef, extending 60 nautical miles offshore, and the Gulf coastal waters from East Cape Sable to Chokoloskee out 20 nautical miles, and Chokoloskee to Bonita Beach out 60 nautical miles. It also includes Biscayne Bay and Lake Okeechobee, highlighting the comprehensive coverage provided by the NWS for diverse Floridian waterways. Understanding these forecasts is paramount for anyone planning to be on or near the water.
Image: Map depicting the coastal waters forecast area for the National Weather Service Miami, highlighting the zones from Jupiter Inlet to Ocean Reef and East Cape Sable to Bonita Beach.
The forecast uses specific terminology to ensure clarity. “Seas” are defined as a range representing the average height of the highest one-third of waves, with the occasional height of the average highest ten percent of waves also noted. This nuanced approach gives mariners a more complete picture of potential wave conditions.
Synopsis of Coastal Conditions: Sunday, February 23, 2025
As of Sunday afternoon, February 23, 2025, a synopsis for the coastal waters from Jupiter Inlet to Ocean Reef and East Cape Sable to Bonita Beach indicates favorable conditions are expected to continue. A gentle to moderate breeze is prevailing, and seas are diminishing. The forecast for the beginning of the week shows seas remaining at 2 to 3 feet in the Atlantic and less than 2 feet in the Gulf. While today is expected to be mainly dry, an approaching weather system is anticipated to increase the likelihood of rain starting on Monday and continuing into Monday night.
The forecast explicitly states “Gulf Stream Hazards…None,” providing reassurance to mariners concerned about these powerful currents. For those needing to navigate around the Gulf Stream, the forecast includes the approximate location of its west wall as of February 22, 2025, offering precise nautical mile distances from key landmarks like Fowey Rocks, Port Everglades, Lake Worth, and Jupiter Inlet. This data is provided courtesy of the Naval Oceanographic Office, showcasing inter-agency cooperation in delivering comprehensive marine information.
Detailed Forecasts by Coastal Zone
To provide granular detail, the forecast is broken down by specific coastal zones, allowing for localized planning and awareness.
Jupiter Inlet to Deerfield Beach Coastal Waters
AMZ650-670 covers the coastal waters from Jupiter Inlet to Deerfield Beach, both within 20 nautical miles of shore and extending from 20 to 60 nautical miles offshore.
- Tonight: East winds will be around 10 knots. Seas are expected to be 2 to 3 feet, with a wave detail specifying Southeast waves at 2 feet every 4 seconds and North waves at 2 feet every 7 seconds. Intracoastal waters will experience a light chop.
- Monday: Winds shift to Southeast at 10 to 15 knots. Seas remain at 2 to 3 feet, with wave detail of Southeast waves at 2 feet every 4 seconds and North waves at 1 foot every 7 seconds. Intracoastal waters will have a moderate chop. There is a chance of showers in the morning, becoming likely in the afternoon.
- Monday Night: Southeast winds continue at 10 to 15 knots. Seas remain 2 to 3 feet, with wave detail of Southeast waves at 3 feet every 4 seconds and North waves at 1 foot every 6 seconds. Intracoastal waters will have a light chop. Showers are expected, with a chance of thunderstorms.
- Tuesday: Winds turn to Northwest at 10 to 15 knots. Seas remain at 2 to 3 feet, with wave detail of North waves at 3 feet every 5 seconds and Southeast waves at 2 feet every 5 seconds. Intracoastal waters will have a light chop. There is a chance of thunderstorms in the morning, followed by a chance of showers.
- Tuesday Night: North winds at 10 to 15 knots. Seas remain 2 to 3 feet, with wave detail of North waves at 3 feet every 5 seconds. Intracoastal waters will have a light chop.
- Wednesday through Thursday: South winds at 5 to 10 knots. Seas remain at 2 to 3 feet, with wave detail of North waves at 3 feet every 6 seconds. Intracoastal waters will have a light chop.
- Thursday Night: Southwest winds at 10 to 15 knots, becoming West with gusts up to 20 knots after midnight. Seas around 2 feet. Intracoastal waters will have a light chop. There is a chance of showers after midnight.
- Friday: Northwest winds at 10 to 15 knots with gusts up to 20 knots. Seas will build from 2 to 4 feet, occasionally reaching 5 feet, and further increasing to 4 to 6 feet, occasionally to 8 feet in the afternoon. Intracoastal waters will have a light chop.
- Friday Night: North winds at 10 to 15 knots. Seas are expected to be 5 to 7 feet, occasionally reaching 9 feet. Intracoastal waters will have a light chop.
Deerfield Beach to Ocean Reef Coastal Waters
AMZ651-671 details the forecast for coastal waters from Deerfield Beach to Ocean Reef, within 20 nautical miles of shore and 20 to 60 nautical miles offshore, excluding the territorial waters of the Bahamas.
- Tonight: East winds around 10 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet, with wave detail of East waves at 2 feet every 3 seconds and North waves at 1 foot every 7 seconds. Intracoastal waters light chop.
- Monday: Southeast winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas around 2 feet, with wave detail of East waves at 2 feet every 3 seconds and North waves at 1 foot every 7 seconds. Intracoastal waters a moderate chop. Showers likely in the afternoon.
- Monday Night: Southeast winds 10 to 15 knots with gusts up to 20 knots, becoming South after midnight. Seas 2 to 3 feet, with wave detail of South waves at 2 feet every 4 seconds. Intracoastal waters light chop. Showers with a chance of thunderstorms.
- Tuesday: West winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas around 2 feet, with wave detail of West waves at 2 feet every 4 seconds and Southeast waves at 1 foot every 4 seconds. Intracoastal waters light chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the morning.
- Tuesday Night: North winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas around 2 feet, with wave detail of North waves at 2 feet every 4 seconds. Intracoastal waters light chop.
- Wednesday through Friday: North winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet, with wave detail of North waves at 3 feet every 5 seconds. Intracoastal waters light chop.
- Friday Night: North winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 4 to 6 feet, occasionally to 8 feet. Intracoastal waters a moderate chop.
Chokoloskee to Bonita Beach Coastal Waters
GMZ656-657-676 covers the coastal waters from Chokoloskee to Bonita Beach, both within 20 nautical miles and from 20 to 60 nautical miles offshore, and also the coastal waters from East Cape Sable to Chokoloskee out to 20 nautical miles.
- Tonight: Southeast winds 5 to 10 knots, increasing to 10 to 15 knots after midnight. Seas less than 2 feet or less, then around 2 feet after midnight, with wave detail of Southeast waves at 1 foot every 2 seconds and Northwest waves at 1 foot every 4 seconds, becoming Southeast waves at 2 feet every 3 seconds. Bay and inland waters light chop. A chance of showers after midnight.
- Monday: Southeast winds 10 to 15 knots with gusts up to 20 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet, with wave detail of Southeast waves at 3 feet every 4 seconds. Bay and inland waters light chop. Showers likely, with a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon.
- Monday Night: Southwest winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas around 2 feet, with wave detail of South waves at 2 feet every 5 seconds. Bay and inland waters light chop. Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms in the evening, then a chance of showers after midnight.
- Tuesday: Northwest winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet, with wave detail of West waves at 3 feet every 4 seconds and South waves at 1 foot every 3 seconds. Bay and inland waters light chop.
- Tuesday Night: North winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet, with wave detail of West waves at 3 feet every 6 seconds. Bay and inland waters light chop.
- Wednesday through Thursday Night: Northwest winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas around 2 feet, with wave detail of Northwest waves at 2 feet every 3 seconds and Northwest waves at 2 feet every 6 seconds. Bay and inland waters light chop.
- Friday and Friday Night: Northeast winds 10 to 15 knots with gusts up to 20 knots. Seas 2 to 4 feet, occasionally to 5 feet. Bay and inland waters light chop.
Lake Okeechobee
AMZ610 provides the forecast for Lake Okeechobee.
- Tonight: Southeast winds 5 to 10 knots. Lake waters light chop.
- Monday: East winds 5 to 10 knots. Lake waters light chop. Showers.
- Monday Night: Southeast winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming North after midnight. Lake waters light chop. Showers likely in the evening, with a chance of thunderstorms and a chance of showers after midnight.
- Tuesday: Northwest winds 5 to 10 knots. Lake waters light chop.
- Tuesday Night: North winds 5 to 10 knots. Lake waters light chop.
- Wednesday through Friday Night: North winds 5 to 10 knots. Lake waters light chop.
Biscayne Bay
AMZ630 covers the forecast for Biscayne Bay.
- Tonight: East winds 5 to 10 knots. Light chop.
- Monday: Southeast winds 5 to 10 knots, increasing to 10 to 15 knots in the afternoon. A moderate chop. A chance of showers in the morning, then showers likely in the afternoon.
- Monday Night: Southeast winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming South after midnight. Light chop. Showers with a chance of thunderstorms.
- Tuesday: West winds 5 to 10 knots. Light chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the morning.
- Tuesday Night: North winds 5 to 10 knots. Light chop.
- Wednesday through Friday Night: Northeast winds 5 to 10 knots. Light chop.
Conclusion
This detailed coastal waters forecast from the National Weather Service exemplifies the critical services they provide nationwide, including offices like the National Weather Service Fort Worth. By offering zone-specific information on wind, seas, and weather conditions, the NWS empowers boaters, fishermen, and coastal residents to make informed decisions, ensuring safety and preparedness when enjoying Florida’s beautiful waterways. Always consult the latest National Weather Service forecasts before heading out to the coast or onto the water.
