Florida Keys Weather & Climate

Smathers Beach, Key West Photo by Rob O’Neal/Florida Keys Tourist Development Council

Wherever you are right now, chances are the weather is better here in the Florida Keys. That's true even on a summer day. At the peak of summer, the average high is 89° F (32° C). We don't have any super-highways or urban sprawl to radiate the sun's heat. Not only that, but our islands are surrounded by cooling ocean waters.

Wise Floridians from the mainland flock to the Keys on steamy weekends because the air is usually a few degrees cooler here. The water temperature might be in the mid-80s (30° C) but the sea is nevertheless refreshing for swimming, snorkeling or diving. In the winter, cold fronts can bring frost to mainland Florida, but you can be sure there will be no frost here. Divers or snorkelers usually get by with a “shortie” wet suit, as water temperatures average in the mid-70s.

During these winter months, it almost never rains. By late May, however, the season's first thundershowers start popping up. Rarely do they stick around long enough to spoil an entire day. You might be wondering about the Atlantic hurricane season, which can affect the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States as well as the Caribbean and the Bahamas. The official hurricane season begins June 1st and ends on November 30. Traditionally, the highest potential for storms is between Aug. 15 and Oct. 15. However, the daily weather during this period tends to be some of the most beautiful of the year, and surrounding waters warm and calm.

You've Never Seen Better Averages

Key West's Average High Temperatures

Month °F °C
Jan 75 24
Feb 75 24
Mar 79 26
Apr 82 28
May 85 29
Jun 88 31
Jul 89 32
Aug 89 32
Sep 88 31
Oct 84 29
Nov 80 27
Dec 76 24

Key West's Average Low Temperatures

Month °F °C
Jan 65 18
Feb 66 19
Mar 69 21
Apr 72 22
May 76 24
Jun 79 26
Jul 80 27
Aug 79 26
Sep 79 26
Oct 76 24
Nov 71 22
Dec 67 21

Key West's Average Water Temperatures

Month °F °C
Jan 69 21
Feb 70 21
Mar 75 24
Apr 79 26
May 83 28
Jun 86 30
Jul 87 31
Aug 87 31
Sep 86 30
Oct 82 28
Nov 76 24
Dec 72 22

Average Sunrise Times

Month Time
Jan 7:14 am
Feb 7:01 am
Mar 6:38 am
Apr 6:55 am
May 6:39 am
Jun 6:35 am
Jul 6:47 am
Aug 6:59 am
Sep 7:09 am
Oct 7:23 am
Nov 6:51 am
Dec 7:05 am

Average Sunset Times

Month Time
Jan 5:53 pm
Feb 6:10 pm
Mar 6:27 pm
Apr 7:40 pm
May 7:54 pm
Jun 8:16 pm
Jul 8:18 pm
Aug 8:01 pm
Sep 7:36 pm
Oct 6:56 pm
Nov 5:37 pm
Dec 5:36 pm
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