Hey Greg,
Hope your day went ok down there without any high wind or water hassles in KW or anywhere else in the Keys for that matter. Today did look pretty narly. It seems like a lot of the squalls in feeder bands emphasized KW and the Islamorada areas. Areas between were honking strong too, just with fewer spikes approaching 60 mph. Here's a recap of some readings along the Keys:
The whole day at Upper Matecumbe. Three spikes to almost 60 mph, that may be a record (at least that was captured in the record). Can see some guys thinking to tough it out after 9:30 to about 12. What was it Mr. Bill used to say? Oh yeah, oh noooo, just before he goes splat against something.
KW airport was no picnic either. Look at all those gust lull cycles per hour, only about a 30 mph+ gust range. Wonder what the winds were like out away from land shadow effects?
Sand Key is miles offshore and away from most windshadow. Then again, NWS doesn't have as good a capture rate as ikitesurf so the gusts and lulls are usually smoothed out. This gives the deceptive view of more steady winds than might actually exist. Still, 50 to 70 mph, no problem, right? What is the rule of thumb wind speed reduction from Sand Key to Smathers in normal winds anyway? Say about 3 to 5 mph less?
The winds are forecast to be lower tomorrow but still some squalls. I would avoid the later with a passion. You never know what they might toss out. Say, did Frank fly down in this? That would be something. Bad joke , I know.