Retirement Lists

Key West climate

Warm weather is consistent, while rain, humidity, heat, and hurricanes shape the year

NOAA and the National Weather Service report 1991 to 2020 Key West normals of 83.7 degrees Fahrenheit for average daily maximum temperature, 78.9 degrees for average temperature, 74.0 degrees for average minimum temperature, and 40.44 inches of annual precipitation. January normals are 74.7 degrees high and 62.9 degrees low with 2.01 inches of rain. July is 89.8 high and 77.8 low with 4.48 inches, while September averages 8.24 inches of rain.

The catalog lists 74 percent humidity and a warm climate band. Heat, lightning, heavy rain, salt, mold, cooling costs, and hurricane preparation affect ordinary errands as well as recreation. Pair beaches, parks, history, library visits, transit, and meals with hydration, shade, indoor alternatives, power planning, insurance, evacuation destinations, and a route home for the months when conditions are least forgiving.

Living through the seasons

Summer and winter comfort tell a similar story.

Overall Comfort
Very Good

3.7 / 5

Average Summer High
86°F

Warm · 86°F

Days Above 90°F
0 days/year

Excellent

Summer Feel
Excellent

4.8 / 5

Average Winter Low
73°F / 23°C

Fair

Days Below Freezing
0 days/year

Excellent

Winter Feel
Excellent

4.7 / 5

The shape of the year

Humidity, comfortable months, and sunshine show how the seasons differ.

Humidity
78%

Good

Comfortable Months
4 months

Poor

Solar Exposure
1999 peak sun hrs/yr

Good

Air, allergies, and weather

Air quality and allergies shape day to day comfort. The best months and weather risks help with timing.

Air and allergies

Air Quality
Excellent

4.7 / 5

Allergy Levels
Poor

Current AQI

Checking…

Current PM2.5

Checking…

Timing and weather

Long Term Fine Particle Pollution
6.2 µg/m³ 2021-2025 modeled average

Good · 6.2 µg/m³ 2021-2025 modeled average

Best Months
Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec
Toughest Months
Sep, Aug, Jul
Heat Risk
Low

Very Good

Weather Volatility
Strong

4 / 5

Key West in everyday life

Could Key West work for you?

What may work well

  • National Weather Service climate information makes Key West temperatures, rainfall, seasonality, and hurricane exposure visible for home planning.
  • Mild winters, beaches, parks, transit, library services, hospital care, and indoor choices can support the year beyond peak outdoor season.

What to think about

  • Heat, humidity, heavy rain, thunderstorms, hurricanes, power interruptions, flooding, salt, traffic, and road conditions can affect outdoor and care access.
  • Cooling, shutters, roof, drainage, mold control, water, power, insurance, evacuation, and car upkeep deserve an address level review.

Choose Key West for the whole year

  1. Inspect comfort systems

    Review cooling, insulation, windows, shade, roof, shutters, drainage, mold control, power, water, utilities, and indoor air.

  2. Plan around tropical seasons

    Pair beaches, parks, meals, errands, care, and family visits with hydration, shade, lightning, heavy rain, hurricane alerts, traffic, and indoor alternatives.

  3. Price storm upkeep

    Ask about cooling, roof, shutters, salt, drainage, mold, storm repairs, power, water, insurance, vehicle service, evacuation, and the route to care.

Questions retirees ask

What is the climate like in Key West?

The National Weather Service reports warm temperatures through the year, about 40.44 inches of annual precipitation, and a wetter period that includes late summer and early fall. Check heat, humidity, storms, cooling, flood exposure, and hurricane planning for the exact home.

When is hurricane season in Key West?

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. Keep evacuation destinations, fuel, water, medicines, documents, reentry information, power plans, insurance, and the route to care ready before a storm threatens.

Key West can suit someone who welcomes warm island weather and an outdoor week, provided the home handles heat, humidity, heavy rain, hurricanes, flooding, mold, power, water, insurance, and safe travel throughout the year.

Sources

Climate comfort helps estimate how practical daily life may feel across the year, especially for heat, humidity, cold, and seasonal constraints.

Seasonal timing, health conditions, air conditioning, air quality, and elevation can change the lived experience.

  • NASA POWER

    Used for Overall Comfort, Summer Feel, Average Summer High, Days Above 90°F, Winter Feel, Average Winter Low, Days Below Freezing, Humidity, Comfortable Months, Solar Exposure, Best Months, Toughest Months, Allergy Levels, Heat Risk

  • Open-Meteo / Copernicus CAMS

    Used for Air Quality, Long-Term Fine-Particle Pollution

    Checked 2026-05-18

  • NOAA IBTrACS

    Used for Weather Volatility

Not yet available for this place: Drought Risk.

Partnerships never affect rankings, scores, methodology, or inclusion.

Partner with Retirement Lists

Research and writing by

How this city research is made

Retirement Lists uses documented public sources and methods to research, review, and correct city information. Read our Editorial Policy.