Key West Weather
Key West has a mild, tropical climate due to the moderation of the Gulf of Mexico. Key West claims to be the only city in the lower 48 states never to have had a frost. Cold fronts are strongly modified by the warm water as they move in from the north in winter. January averages 70.3 °F with temperatures rarely dropping below 50 °F. There is no known record of frost, ice, sleet, or snow in Key West, as the coldest temperature ever recorded in Key West was 41 °F on January 12, 1886, and on January 13, 1981. Prevailing easterly tradewinds and sea breezes suppress the usual summertime heating. The average low and high temperatures in July are 79.6 °F and 89.4 °F. There are 48 days per year with 90 °F or greater highs. The hottest temperature ever recorded in Key West is 100 °F in June, 1880, July 1880 and in August, 1880.
Precipitation is characterized by dry and wet seasons. The period of November through April receives abundant sunshine and slightly less than 25 percent of the annual rainfall. This rainfall usually occurs in advance of cold fronts in a few heavy or light showers. May through October is normally the wet season, receiving approximately 53 percent of the yearly total in numerous showers and thunderstorms. Rain falls on most days of the wet season. Early morning is the favored time for these showers, which is different from mainland Florida, where showers and thunderstorms usually occur in the afternoon. Easterly (tropical) waves during this season occasionally bring excessive rainfall, while infrequent hurricanes may be accompanied by unusually heavy amounts. At any rate, Key West is the driest city in Florida.
Key West Weather Links
