Key West weather, tides & sunset
Live from the National Weather Service and NOAA, plus what the weather is usually like each month and how to handle hurricane season.
Key West right now
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Live from the National Weather Service and NOAA (Key West station 8724580); tides are predictions. Sunrise and sunset are calculated. Check weather.gov before boating — your captain makes the weather call.
Key West weather by month
30-year averages. March is usually the driest month and September the wettest; June through November is also hurricane season.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Average rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 76°F | 66°F | 1.8 in |
| February | 77°F | 67°F | 1.5 in |
| March | 80°F | 69°F | 1.5 in |
| April | 83°F | 73°F | 2.1 in |
| May | 86°F | 76°F | 3.1 in |
| June | 89°F | 79°F | 4.2 in |
| July | 90°F | 81°F | 3.6 in |
| August | 91°F | 81°F | 5.4 in |
| September | 89°F | 79°F | 7.2 in |
| October | 86°F | 77°F | 5.7 in |
| November | 81°F | 72°F | 2.0 in |
| December | 78°F | 68°F | 2.2 in |
Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, Key West International Airport (checked 2026-09-30).
Hurricane season: what visitors should do
Season: June 1 – November 30. Most trips in season go ahead normally; here's how to decide if one doesn't.
1. Before you book (June–November)
Read the operator's and hotel's weather and cancellation policies. Consider whether you'd want travel insurance — that's your call, and policies differ.
2. A storm is in the forecast
Watch the National Hurricane Center's five-day outlook and the National Weather Service Key West office. Sign up for Alert!Monroe. Keep your plans flexible.
3. A hurricane watch is issued
Hurricane-force winds are possible within about 48 hours. Decide how and when you'd leave, check flights and the drive up US-1, and contact your hotel and tour operators.
4. A hurricane warning, or a visitor evacuation order
If Monroe County orders visitors to leave, leave. Tours will be cancelled; contact operators about refunds or rescheduling under their policies.
Common questions
What is the weather like in Key West by month?
Warm all year. Average highs run from about 76°F in January to about 91°F in August; the coolest average lows are about 66°F in January. March is the driest month (about 1.53 inches of rain) and September the wettest (about 7.24 inches). Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, Key West International Airport.
When is hurricane season in Key West?
The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 – November 30, per the National Hurricane Center. Most days in season are ordinary, but check the NHC and National Weather Service forecasts before and during your trip.
What's the difference between a hurricane watch and a hurricane warning?
A watch means hurricane-force winds (74 mph or more) are possible in the area, typically announced 48 hours before tropical-storm-force winds are expected. A warning means hurricane-force winds (74 mph or more) are expected somewhere in the area, typically announced 36 hours before tropical-storm-force winds arrive. (National Hurricane Center definitions.)
Will visitors be told to leave the Keys before a hurricane?
In past storms, including Hurricane Irma (2017) and Hurricane Charley (2004), Monroe County ordered visitors to leave before ordering residents out. That's the historical pattern, not a guarantee for every storm — follow Monroe County Emergency Management orders and sign up for Alert!Monroe, Monroe County's emergency text/email alerts (sign up with your cell phone).
Do I need reef-safe sunscreen in Key West?
Sunscreen with oxybenzone or octinoxate is legal in Key West. The city voted to ban it, but Florida SB 172 (2020) blocked local sunscreen bans. Mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) is gentler on the reef.
Where do the tide times on this page come from?
NOAA's tide predictions for its Key West station (8724580). They are predictions; wind and weather can move actual water levels. Sandbar operators time trips around the tide, so follow your captain's plan.
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