FLORIDA KEYS -- There has never been a recorded snowfall in the subtropical Florida Keys according to official National Weather Service records dating back to 1870.
The rainy season in the Florida Keys typically runs from June through October, covering the bulk of the hurricane season, which ends on November 30th.
Generally, you can't surf in the Florida Keys due to coral reefs, marine geography, and the resulting lack of waves. The Florida Keys are protected by the Great Florida Reef, which is the third largest barrier reef in the world. Without waves, there is no surfing.
Florida Keys Weather & ClimateWherever 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.
High pressure cells affecting the Florida Keys are usually located to our north, northeast, or northwest, depending on the time of year. As a result, winds usually blow out of the northeast, east, or southeast, depending on the exact location and shape of a high pressure cell on a given day.
The speed limits in the Keys are generally 45 MPH on the built-up Islands, and 55 MPH on the bridges and less built-up islands. There are areas (very built-up strips, or animal sanctuaries) where the speed drops to 35 MPH.
A large high pressure system with a clockwise flow is centered over north Georgia and that's sending easterly winds into Florida. A high pressure system spins in a clockwise direction sending easterly winds toward Florida.
Avoid these 5 tourist traps to keep your Key West vacation relaxing and enjoyable
- T-Shirt Shops. For years, Key West had a well-documented problem with Duval Street t-shirt shops.
- $5 Shops. Many of the shady t-shirt shops have tried a new line of attack – the $5 store.
- Jewelry Stores.
- Shady Art Galleries.
- Cosmetic Shops.
Can you swim in Key West in February? As the most southern point in the Continental USA, you can expect the weather to be nice year-round. February is perfect for all beaches in Key West, and the waters should be nice and warm. February is perfect for all beaches in Key West, and the waters should be nice and warm.
The crime rate in the Florida Keys is low but you should still use common sense when exploring Key West, especially at night and around hectic Duval Street and Mallory Square. Be cautious if you go into the water as well; be sure to heed all flags and warning from authorities.
Since Feb 1984, I recall just three hurricanes actually striking Key West; Georges in September 1998, Wilma in October 2005 and now Irma in September 2017. In each case, the homes of Old Town Key West, including mine, suffered only superficial structural damage.
Low 76F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Mostly sunny. High 83F.
Is it warm enough to swim in Key West in January? Average water temperature in Key West in January is 74.7°F and therefore suitable for comfortable swimming.
The Keys really aren't a beach destination, but somehow nobody seems to know that. Snorkeling and diving is fantastic, water is clear (not right now, but usually) but beaches and swimming from shore, definitely not. The vast majority of days in December are warm enough to be comfortable at the beach.
Fort Zachary Taylor State Park
Next to Key West, Islamorada, or “Purple Island,” is undoubtedly the archipelago's most popular key. Just a 90-minute drive from Miami, it's also a perfect stopping point on the way down.
But the reason Key West commands high prices is that it is a special one-of-kind city. With history going back hundreds of years, well-preserved architectural gems, a funky street life and great outdoors activities in the surrounding waters, it's a shame to pass up Key West because it is expensive.
You should plan to spend around $170 per day on your vacation in Key West, which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors. Also, the average hotel price in Key West for a couple is $211. So, a trip to Key West for two people for one week costs on average $2,383.
Do you want to
swim in Key West in Florida?
Best time to swim in Key West: the water temperature by month.
| Month | Jan. |
|---|
| Averagesea temperature | 72°F (min: 68°F/max: 75°F) |
|---|
| Our opinion | pleasant swimming |
|---|
| Details | Sea temperature in Key West in january |
|---|
The rainy season occurs from May through October, when visitors should expect lots of showers and thunderstorms, particularly in the mornings. June through November is the hurricane season, with September being the most likely time for severe tropical storms to hit.
17 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting Key West, Florida
- Conch is pronounced con-k.
- Lodging and food in Key West can be pricey (but it's still worth it)
- Shoulder season is the best season to visit Key West, Florida.
- Parking near Duval Street can be hard to find and expensive.
- The drive to Key West will be one of the best parts of your trip.
11 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in the Florida Keys
- Duval Street, Key West. Duval Street, Key West.
- Bahia Honda State Park. Bahia Honda State Park.
- Dry Tortugas National Park. Dry Tortugas National Park.
- Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, Key West.
- John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.
- Mallory Square, Key West.
- Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory.
- National Key Deer Refuge.
So, is Key West worth visiting? Yes, it is because you can experience and enjoy so many different activities here and it's a great location for adults and children. In Key West you can enjoy beautiful beaches and sunsets, discover local wildlife and immerse yourself in maritime, literary and political history.
Mallory Square is probably the most popular place for travelers to look for accommodations because this is the center of it all in Key West. The neighborhood is home to the Mallory Dock, which is an amazing place to see a sunset. Here you'll also often see street performers do acrobatics and music performances.
Aedes aegypti, commonly called the Dengue or Yellow Fever Mosquito, is the most common container breeding mosquito in the Florida Keys (especially in Key West). The best way to eliminate this mosquito is to dump water around your home and eliminate places for water to collect after a rain event.
Duval Street isn't Bourbon Street — there is no open container law in Key West, so you can count on getting cited for carrying a beer around all willy nilly. Also, Key West is still in the United States — drugs are illegal! Enjoy yourself, drink and be merry. Just don't be ignorant about the consequences.
Bungalows Key Largo is the only all-inclusive resort in the Florida Keys.
Bring clothing made with natural fabrics like 100% cotton, silk or linen. Shorts with cute tank tops or sundresses are great choices for the ladies. Wear comfy shoes such as flat sandals or sneakers. You'll be doing a lot of walking or biking, and Duval Street – the main drag – is a mile long.
You don't really need a car in Key West unless you're planning to do a lot of shopping or are heading out to multiple far-fetched points in the Keys. The island is only four miles long and about one mile wide, so almost everything is located within walking distance.
Aside from beach time and biking around town, Key West has enough family-friendly activities to keep the kiddos enthralled, including snorkeling. At every beach and state park I visited, young kids were enthusiastically popping up out of the water to extol what they were witnessing below the surface.
