What is Key West weather like? Are the summers too hot? Is the winter too cold? What’s the best time of year to vacation in Key West? You want to visit Key West but, of course, want to make sure the weather is going to cooperate.
While the weather forecast for Key West Florida is mainly agreeable year-round (which is why you can find many Key West vacation house rentals throughout the year), you might want some details before deciding when to head south. For instance, when is it more likely to be rainy? When is the climate at Key West at its hottest?
Take a look at what you can expect weather-wise for every season in Key West, Florida. An essential fact to keep in mind: being close to the Gulf Stream and the Gulf of Mexico, the average temperatures in Key West rarely differ more than ten degrees between the summer and winter. Hard to say that about most places!
Winter
You’re not too likely to meet Old Man Winter on your trip to Key West during the winter months; temperatures from December through February do not typically dip below 75 degrees during the day. Low temperatures might hit the mid-60s. Winter pretty much ends in January in this part of the world.
According to the National Weather Service, you might love the fact that no frost, ice, sleet, or snow has been recorded in Key West. Considering that climate records for Key West date back continuously to 1871, this is quite astounding.
Another plus: these months are among the driest during the year, so you won’t have much if any rain if you’re vacationing Key West during this season.
Even when Jack Frost is nipping noses in other parts of Florida, your nose—and the rest of you—won’t be affected by cold temperatures. Even the waters remain warm: average temperatures for those seeking to swim, dive, or snorkel is in the mid-70s. There’s no small reason that Key West is a popular spot for those seeking to escape the colder climates in other parts of the country.
Spring
March, April, and May are warm and comfortable months in Key West. March is generally at the tail end of the cool season that begins in December, so you’ll notice temperatures gradually warming at this time of the year.
You’re still in the dry season during the Spring in Key West, so while cloud increase begins late in May, you can expect mostly clear skies if you’re staying at any Key West rentals between March and May.
Its tropical spring climate makes Key West a prime spot for those on Spring Break! However, most visitors to the island are families at this time of year, and not as many college students as other popular Spring Break destinations.
Summer
As you would expect, June through August are the hottest months in Key West, with the highest temperatures reached in August. Precipitation chances also rise; on any given day during these months and into September, chances stand at around 36% for rain. Most precipitation in Key West, though, comes in passing showers.
But if it’s tropical, you’re looking for, that’s what you’ll get during a Key West summer. There’s still almost two-thirds of a chance each day for it to be sunny, so you’ll get to spend the majority of your vacation outdoors in the sun, sand, or sea.
Temperatures in July and August average in the mid-80s, with a heat index into the mid-90s. Rain chances increase in August, with about 23 days of rain during that month.
Believe it or not, summer in Key West sees the least number of visitors so that you can enjoy more room at the beach and the best vacation rental rates!
Fall
September, October, and November enjoy daytime temperatures mainly in the 80s; nights could be cool, dipping down into the 60s and possibly even the 50s in November, but there’s nothing wrong with donning a light sweater or jacket and hanging around the firepit! Or, maybe a dip in the heated pool.
Mostly, you’ll enjoy those comfortable and dry days. Daytime temperatures in October remain in the 80s, and nights generally stay in the 70s.
Hot-weather activities are still abuzz into late October in Key West. So, you can still take tours, ride bikes, and go fishing, sailing, snorkeling, and diving.
An important note: though hurricane season for Florida starts in June and ends in October, storms do not normally hit Key West. Since 1984, only three storms: Georges (1998), Wilma (2005), and Irma (2017) have hit Key West. Actual hurricane-force winds are rare in the Keys.
In August 2020, in a Key West Island News article titled “Living in Key West: Heck, it’s just a Cat 1; how bad could it be?” editor Linda Grist Cunningham wrote, “Key West shelters under a magical hurricane bubble. For most of recorded history, the island has been outside the worst hurricanes to pound the Florida Keys.” Even Irma in 2017 hit with the force of a Category 1, as Key West was on the back end of the storm.
Back in 1846—more than 170 years ago!—that a Category 5 hit Key West.
Grab a Flight to Key West
Some cities have added nonstop flight options to Key West! These include Nashville, Pittsburgh, and Cincinnati. Boston, Houston, and New York City have also recently added continued flying to Key West.
Richard Strickland, director of airports to Monroe County (of which Key West is the county seat), has expressed his delight in the interest for nonstop flight options to this area. “That interest is representative of the demand from people who want to travel to the wonderful destination of the Florida Keys and Key West,” Strickland has said.
Allegiant’s twice-weekly nonstop flight service to Key West from Nashville, Pittsburgh, and Cincinnati started in June 2021. United Airlines has nonstop flights daily from O’Hare Airport in Chicago and Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. JetBlue’s low-fare, year-round service to Key West is offered at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City and Logan International Airport in Boston. And American Airlines offers nonstop flights to Key West from LaGuardia Airport in New York and Atlanta, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Charlotte, NC.
All nonstop flights to the island fly into Key West International Airport. These options provide an easy and quick way to get to your location and start your much-anticipated vacation in Key West.
Your Key West Luxury Rental
Plan Your Key West Vacation
Are you thinking about Key West rentals with a dock? Or Key West waterfront rentals? Look no further than Key West Vacation Homes when it comes to places to stay in Key West.
Key West Vacation Homes has four- and five-bedroom luxury rentals that can sleep between eight and 16 people. Great for large families! Depending on your type, these homes might feature two master bedroom suites, a Jacuzzi tub, private pool, outdoor shower, patio, balcony, deck, bicycles, and even a boat dock.
Amenities of luxury rentals from Key West Vacation Homes include fully equipped kitchens, washer/dryers, linens, central air, BBQ grills, and high-speed internet. Contact us today to get started!
