SpiderSense:
gulp.. current and sea sickness and walking on a rocking boat and getting onto a swaying ladder... would the Keys be better?
maybe we'll just tough it out and try it for a day or two.. hmmm. risky.
Spidey:
I love your determination, but the forecast for this weekend is pretty bleak. It is not a matter of trying to "tough out" some dives. If the forecast holds the boats will not be running as diving in six foot plus seas is not usually an option (I know you guys form New Jersey are lauging at me) in this part of the world. I know it says 2-4 inside the reef, but that means near shore. The nearest to shore diving off Key Largo is about five miles out and in the transition area to "beyond the reef."
This is simply part of life in Florida during the winter. Every now and then we get a break between cold fronts where the seas subside enough to dive. Days where the boats are "blown out" are very common. Sadly, it seems like the weather gods have a sick sense of humor as most cold fronts seem to time themsleves with weekends.
Forecast for the Keys:
FRIDAY
NORTH WINDS NEAR 25 KNOTS AND GUSTY. SEAS BEYOND THE REEF
6 TO 9 FEET...EXCEPT HIGHER IN THE GULF STREAM. SEAS INSIDE THE REEF
2 TO 4 FEET. NEARSHORE WATERS VERY ROUGH. SCATTERED SHOWERS EARLY.
SATURDAY
NORTHEAST WINDS NEAR 25 KNOTS AND GUSTY. SEAS BEYOND THE
REEF 6 TO 9 FEET...EXCEPT HIGHER IN THE GULF STREAM. SEAS INSIDE THE
REEF 2 TO 4 FEET. NEARSHORE WATERS VERY ROUGH. ISOLATED SHOWERS.
SUNDAY
NORTHEAST WINDS 20 TO 25 KNOTS. SEAS BEYOND THE REEF 5 TO
8 FEET...EXCEPT HIGHER IN THE GULF STREAM. SEAS INSIDE THE REEF 2 TO
3 FEET. NEARSHORE WATERS VERY ROUGH. ISOLATED SHOWERS.
Forecast for East Coast:
FRIDAY
NORTH WINDS 20 TO 25 KNOTS. NEAR SHORE...SEAS 5 TO
7 FEET. IN THE GULF STREAM...SEAS 7 TO 9 FEET BUILDING TO 11 TO
13 FEET IN THE AFTERNOON. INTRACOASTAL WATERS A MODERATE CHOP.
SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS.
FRIDAY NIGHT
NORTHEAST WINDS 20 TO 25 KNOTS. NEAR SHORE...SEAS
6 TO 8 FEET. IN THE GULF STREAM...SEAS 11 TO 13 FEET SUBSIDING TO
9 TO 11 FEET AFTER MIDNIGHT. INTRACOASTAL WATERS ROUGH IN EXPOSED
AREAS. SLIGHT CHANCE OF LIGHT SHOWERS THROUGH THE NIGHT.
SATURDAY
NORTHEAST WINDS 20 TO 25 KNOTS. SEAS 6 TO 8 FEET NEAR
SHORE AND UP TO 9 TO 11 FEET IN THE GULF STREAM. INTRACOASTAL
WATERS ROUGH IN EXPOSED AREAS.
SATURDAY NIGHT
NORTHEAST WINDS 20 TO 25 KNOTS BECOMING EAST 15 TO
20 KNOTS AFTER MIDNIGHT. NEAR SHORE...SEAS 5 TO 7 FEET. IN THE
GULF STREAM...SEAS 8 TO 10 FEET SUBSIDING TO 5 TO 7 FEET AFTER
MIDNIGHT. INTRACOASTAL WATERS ROUGH IN EXPOSED AREAS.
SUNDAY
EAST WINDS 15 TO 20 KNOTS. NEAR SHORE...SEAS 5 TO 7 FEET
SUBSIDING TO 3 TO 5 FEET IN THE AFTERNOON. IN THE GULF STREAM...
SEAS 5 TO 7 FEET. INTRACOASTAL WATERS CHOPPY IN EXPOSED AREAS.