Key West, at the southern tip of Florida, boasts a tropical savanna climate with warm temperatures year-round and no frost or snow. Summers are hot, humid, and rainy, while winters are short, comfortable, and mostly dry. Abundant sunshine, balmy breezes, and warm sea temperatures make Key West a favourite destination for beach lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Key West’s climate is defined by its tropical savanna classification, resulting in little temperature variation and two main seasons: wet and dry. Summers (May–October) are long, hot, and humid, with average highs of 31–32°C and lows of 26–27°C. Rainfall peaks from August to October, with September being the wettest month (up to 166 mm), often due to brief but intense tropical downpours. Despite the rain, the sun often returns quickly, and the sea remains warm at 29–31°C. Hurricanes and tropical storms are possible from June to November, with the highest risk in late summer and early autumn.
Winters (November–April) are short, comfortable, and mostly dry, with average highs of 24–27°C and lows of 18–21°C. Rain is infrequent, skies are mostly clear, and humidity is lower, making this the most pleasant time for outdoor activities. Key West is frost-free and has never recorded snow, thanks to its subtropical maritime location. Sunshine is abundant, with 10–11 hours per day in spring and summer, and even winter months are bright. Prevailing easterly trade winds keep the air fresh and support water sports year-round. The city averages about 1,000–1,100 mm of rain annually and enjoys some of the warmest and sunniest winters in the United States.
| Average climate data for Key West, United States | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 23 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 24 | 30 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 20 | 21 | 21 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 24 | 23 | 20 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 34 | 28 | 17 | 39 | 90 | 88 | 92 | 108 | 130 | 108 | 37 | 31 | 802 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 12 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 17 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 14 | 13 | 199 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 75 | 78 | 74 | 78 | 77 | 78 | 74 | 73 | 74 | 76 | 76 | 77 | 76 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 23 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 20 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 20 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 22 | 22 | 23 | 26 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 28 | 26 | 24 | 26 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 8 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 33 | 29 | 25 | 22 | 26 | 30 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 34 | 32 | 33 | 29 |
| Average UV index | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
The best time to visit Key West is from December to April, when the weather is warm (24–27°C), dry, and sunny, with low humidity and little rain. These months are ideal for beach activities, festivals, and exploring the island, offering the most comfortable and reliable climate of the year.
The least favourable time is from August to October, when Key West is hottest, most humid, and wettest. Heavy rain, high humidity, and the risk of hurricanes or tropical storms can disrupt travel plans. Outdoor activities may be limited by frequent downpours, though sunshine usually returns quickly.
Key West has a tropical savanna climate with warm temperatures year-round. Summers are hot, humid, and rainy, while winters are short, comfortable, and mostly dry. Frost and snow have never been recorded.
The best time to visit is from December to April, when temperatures are warm, humidity is lower, and rainfall is minimal. These months are perfect for outdoor activities and enjoying the beaches.
Yes, hurricane season runs from June to November, with the highest risk from August to October. Most storms pass without major impact, but travellers should monitor forecasts and consider travel insurance.
Sea temperatures in Key West are warm year-round, ranging from 21°C in winter to 30–31°C in late summer. Swimming, snorkelling, and water sports are possible in every season.
Key West receives about 1,000–1,100 mm of rain annually, with most rainfall occurring from June to October. Rain usually comes in brief, heavy showers, followed by sunshine.
Yes, Key West is one of the sunniest places in the United States, with 10–11 hours of sunshine per day in spring and summer, and bright, clear days even in winter.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is August (29.7 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (22.7 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 26.2 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (28.3 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (20.2 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 24.7 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is August (30.6 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is January (21.7 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 26.3 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is September (129.6 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is March (17 mm). Over the whole year there are 802.3 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is August (23.2 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is February (11 days). Over the whole year there are 199.4 days of rain on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is February (78.4 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is August (73 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 75.8 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is November (23.4 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is July (15.3 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 20.1 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is October (33.7 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is April (22.4 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 28.8 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 13.1 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 10.1 h). Over the whole year there are 11.8 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is July (Average sunshine: 11 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is November (Average sunshine: 6.1 h). Over the whole year there are 8.4 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are April, May, June, July, August, September and October (UV index: 7). The month with the lowest average UV index is January (UV index: 5). Over the whole year the average UV index is 6.5.
