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Dangerous rip currents and minor coastal flooding threaten Key Biscayne beaches and low-lying streets through Saturday evening, even as skies clear after several days of heavy rain.

The National Weather Service in Miami issued two advisories early Friday, Sept. 25. A high rip current risk takes effect at 1 p.m. Friday and runs through Saturday evening. A coastal flood statement covers the same window, starting at 6 a.m. Friday, warning of isolated minor flooding on low-lying roads and property along coastal Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

First king tides of the season arrive

The hazards arrive during the first king tide window of the season. The South Florida Water Management District identified Sept. 24 through Oct. 15 as a major king tide period, according to the Miami Herald. King tides are the highest tides of the year, driven by the alignment of the sun, moon and Earth.

WSVN-Channel 7 meteorologist Vivian Gonzalez reported Thursday, Sept. 24, that northerly winds would increase to 20 to 25 knots along the Atlantic, with seas building to 7 to 10 feet. "King Tides combined with the full moon and increasing swell could also produce minor coastal flooding along the Atlantic coast this weekend," Gonzalez wrote on the station's weather blog.

The weather service's marine forecast issued Friday morning showed seas of 5 to 7 feet within 200 nautical miles east of the Florida coast, easing to 4 to 6 feet Saturday and 3 to 5 feet Sunday.

Why Key Biscayne is especially vulnerable

Key Biscayne sits especially exposed. The barrier island is low-lying and lacks a coastal ridge, according to the Village of Key Biscayne's resiliency plan. The village warned residents in a 2025 newsletter to expect temporary street flooding during king tides, even on clear days, along with slower traffic from standing water and dangerous swimming conditions.

Sunny weekend ahead, but use caution near water

On land, the weekend looks pleasant. The weather service's forecast for Key Biscayne calls for mostly sunny skies Saturday with a high of 85 and sunny skies Sunday morning with a chance of thunderstorms later in the day. Rain chances climb to 40% to 60% by Tuesday as tropical moisture returns, Gonzalez reported.

The king tide window runs through Oct. 15, with the highest predicted flooding days near the Oct. 27 full moon. The weather service advises beachgoers to swim near a lifeguard. Anyone caught in a rip current should float, avoid swimming against the current and swim parallel to shore. Residents should not drive through flooded roadways.