Waterspout — Hawk Channel From West End of Seven Mile Bridge To Halfmoon Shoal Out To the Reef, Gulf of Mexico

2025-11-09 · near Key West, Hawk Channel From West End of Seven Mile Bridge To Halfmoon Shoal Out To the Reef, Gulf of Mexico

Event narrative

A narrow, tube-like mature waterspout was observed off Smathers Beach in Key West by both the public and a NWS meteorologist. The condensation funnel was tilted at a 45-degree angle from cloud base, and extended about three quarters the way down.

Wider weather episode

Weak southwesterly mean layer winds set up well in advanced of an approaching strong cold front over the eastern Gulf, resulting in convective cloud line development near the Lower Florida Keys. A waterspout developed just offshore Smathers Beach of Key West.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (24.5400, -81.7700)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1294510. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.