A weak tropical wave passing east to west through the Florida Keys provided an environment with favorable backing wind flow for waterspouts the afternoon and evening of July 12th.  The convective mode changed to favor isolated gale-force wind gusts as the tropical wave axis passed west of the Florida Keys during the late evening hours of July 12th into the early morning hours of July 13th.

Waterspout in HAWK CHANNEL FROM WEST END OF SEVEN MILE BRIDGE TO HALFMOON SHOAL OUT TO THE REEF, GULF OF MEXICO
From 12-JUL-17 10:50:00 to 12-JUL-17 10:53:00 (EST-5)
Location: SAND KEY LIGHT
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A waterspout was observed about 5 miles to the west southwest of Fort Zachary Taylor State Park in Key West.  The funnel cloud was observed to extend one quarter down from close base, with no spray ring visible.

Waterspout in HAWK CHANNEL FROM WEST END OF SEVEN MILE BRIDGE TO HALFMOON SHOAL OUT TO THE REEF, GULF OF MEXICO
From 12-JUL-17 11:40:00 to 12-JUL-17 11:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: KEY WEST
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

A waterspout was observed approximately 3 miles south of Key West.  The waterspout was observed as a narrow funnel cloud extending one eighth the distance from cloud base.

Waterspout in HAWK CHANNEL FROM WEST END OF SEVEN MILE BRIDGE TO HALFMOON SHOAL OUT TO THE REEF, GULF OF MEXICO
From 12-JUL-17 12:04:00 to 12-JUL-17 12:06:00 (EST-5)
Location: KEY WEST
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Multiple reports were received of a short-duration waterspout approximately 3 miles south of Key West.  The waterspout was observed as a very narrow funnel cloud extending a short distance down from cloud base.

Waterspout in HAWK CHANNEL FROM WEST END OF SEVEN MILE BRIDGE TO HALFMOON SHOAL OUT TO THE REEF, GULF OF MEXICO
From 12-JUL-17 12:49:00 to 12-JUL-17 12:59:00 (EST-5)
Location: KEY WEST
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

A waterspout was observed about two miles south southwest of Key West.  The waterspout was observed as a thick funnel cloud with attendant spray ring moving toward the west southwest around 5 knots.

Waterspout in HAWK CHANNEL FROM WEST END OF SEVEN MILE BRIDGE TO HALFMOON SHOAL OUT TO THE REEF, GULF OF MEXICO
From 12-JUL-17 15:30:00 to 12-JUL-17 15:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: SOMBRERO KEY LIGHT
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A waterspout was observed and reported via social media south of the Seven Mile Bridge.  A spray ring was visible.

Waterspout in HAWK CHANNEL FROM WEST END OF SEVEN MILE BRIDGE TO HALFMOON SHOAL OUT TO THE REEF, GULF OF MEXICO
From 12-JUL-17 16:30:00 to 12-JUL-17 16:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: BIG PINE KEY
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A waterspout was observed and reported via social media over North Pine Channel about one mile east southeast of Little Torch Key.  The waterspout had a spray ring.

Marine Thunderstorm Wind in GULF OF MEXICO FROM EAST CAPE SABLE TO CHOKOLOSKEE 20 TO 60 NM OUT AND BEYOND 5 FATHOMS, GULF OF MEXICO
From 12-JUL-17 18:15:00 to 12-JUL-17 18:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: SMITH SHOAL LIGHT
Magnitude: 34.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust of 34 knots was measured at an automated WeatherFlow station at Smith Shoal Light.

Marine Thunderstorm Wind in HAWK CHANNEL FROM WEST END OF SEVEN MILE BRIDGE TO HALFMOON SHOAL OUT TO THE REEF, GULF OF MEXICO
From 12-JUL-17 18:50:00 to 12-JUL-17 18:50:00 (EST-5)
Location: SAND KEY LIGHT
Magnitude: 39.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: C-MAN Station

A wind gust of 39 knots was measured at the new Sand Key Light.

Marine Thunderstorm Wind in HAWK CHANNEL FROM OCEAN REEF TO CRAIG KEY OUT TO THE REEF, GULF OF MEXICO
From 12-JUL-17 21:54:00 to 12-JUL-17 21:54:00 (EST-5)
Location: MOLASSES REEF LIGHT
Magnitude: 37.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: C-MAN Station

A wind gust of 37 knots was measured at Molasses Reef Light.

Marine Thunderstorm Wind in HAWK CHANNEL FROM OCEAN REEF TO CRAIG KEY OUT TO THE REEF, GULF OF MEXICO
From 12-JUL-17 22:32:00 to 12-JUL-17 22:32:00 (EST-5)
Location: MOLASSES REEF LIGHT
Magnitude: 35.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: C-MAN Station

A wind gust of 35 knots was measured at Molasses Reef Light.

Marine Thunderstorm Wind in HAWK CHANNEL FROM OCEAN REEF TO CRAIG KEY OUT TO THE REEF, GULF OF MEXICO
From 12-JUL-17 23:03:00 to 12-JUL-17 23:03:00 (EST-5)
Location: MOLASSES REEF LIGHT
Magnitude: 38.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: C-MAN Station

A wind gust of 38 knots was measured at Molasses Reef Light.

Marine Thunderstorm Wind in HAWK CHANNEL FROM OCEAN REEF TO CRAIG KEY OUT TO THE REEF, GULF OF MEXICO
From 13-JUL-17 00:10:00 to 13-JUL-17 00:10:00 (EST-5)
Location: MOLASSES REEF LIGHT
Magnitude: 34.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: C-MAN Station

A wind gust of 34 knots was measured at Molasses Reef Light.