General & Geography
Short for EYW by abbreviationfinder, the city of Key West is located in the US state of Florida and, together with the island of the same name, forms the western end of the so-called Florida Keys. The Keys, whose name goes back to the Spanish Cayo (“small flat island”), consist of more than 200 coral islands over a length of around 180 miles between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.
The drive over the Florida Keys to Key West is considered to be one of the most beautiful panoramic routes in the world. The Overseas Highway leads from Key Largo on the edge of the Everglades to Key West, the southernmost point of the American mainland.
Despite the strategically important location of the islands, they remained largely uninhabited even during the almost 250 years that they belonged to Spain. The land was considered barren and there was a lack of drinking water.
Today the Florida Keys, especially Key West, are a popular travel destination with countless attractions. The ocean around the Keys is a national water protection area. Around 110 kilometers west of Key West in the Dry Tortugas National Park is one of the most isolated and impressive marine reserves in the world.
Key West has about 25,000 residents. Both Ernest Hemingway and Tennessee Williams lived and worked in the city for a long time.
Climate in the Florida Keys
Key West and the Florida Keys are located within the tropical climate zone. This means that it is very warm all year round. In the warmest months, which usually last from May to October, there is an average temperature of 32 degrees. In the colder months of the year, between December and mid- March, the average values are a mild 24 ° C.
Basically there is a comparatively high humidity on the keys. The perceived temperatures are therefore even higher, especially in the summer months due to the muggy air. Key West and the Florida Keys are in the area of the Atlantic hurricane zone. The hurricane season officially begins on Jan.June and runs through November. So it coincides with the wetter months (“rainy season”). Nevertheless, the summer months are considered the absolute peak season in Florida.
When is the best time to visit the Florida Keys?
In principle, Key West and the neighboring islands are wonderful to travel to all year round. Those who like it a little milder will particularly get their money’s worth in the winter months. If you have no problem with the heat and the risk of some rain, you can plunge into the turbulent midsummer on the Keys.
In view of the weather risks, especially between June and October with sometimes strong thunderstorms, rain and the risk of hurricanes, we can especially recommend December, January, February, March, April and the first half of May as the best time to visit the Florida Keys. But despite the risks mentioned, the supposed rainy season also has its charm.
Temperatures, precipitation, sunshine
| Jan | Feb | March | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Daytime temperature | 24 ° C | 24 ° C | 26 ° C | 28 ° C | 30 ° C | 31 ° C | 32 ° C | 32 ° C | 31 ° C | 29 ° C | 27 ° C | 25 ° C |
| Night temperature | 18 ° C | 19 ° C | 21 ° C | 22 ° C | 25 ° C | 26 ° C | 26 ° C | 26 ° C | 26 ° C | 24 ° C | 22 ° C | 19 ° C |
| Water temperature | 24 ° C | 23 ° C | 24 ° C | 26 ° C | 28 ° C | 29 ° C | 30 ° C | 30 ° C | 29 ° C | 28 ° C | 26 ° C | 25 ° C |
| Precipitation in mm | 51 | 46 | 43 | 44 | 88 | 129 | 92 | 128 | 149 | 112 | 72 | 51 |
| Rainy days | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 8 | 5 | 5 |
| Hours of sunshine | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Sunrise | 7:15 | 7:00 | 7:35 | 7:05 | 6:45 | 6:40 | 6:45 | 7:00 | 7:15 | 7:25 | 6:45 | 7:05 |
| Sunset | 18:00 | 18:20 | 19:35 | 19:50 | 20:05 | 20:15 | 20:20 | 20:00 | 7:30 p.m. | 19:00 | 17:40 | 17:40 |
Temperatures
The annual average temperature is 25.4 ° C. For comparison: Munich reaches an average of 8.6 ° C, in Berlin it is 9.6 ° C. The warmest month is July (29.1 ° C), coldest month of January with mean values of 21.1 ° C. The maximum water temperature is 30 ° C. Comfortable bathing is possible at these temperatures. All months have a water temperature of at least 21 ° C and are therefore suitable for a beach holiday.
Precipitation
The annual precipitation is 1005 mm on 81 days with precipitation. For comparison: In Munich, 967 mm, in Berlin 570 mm, precipitation is measured annually. There is no rainy season, i.e. months with more than 175 mm of precipitation. Snowfall is generally not expected in any month.
Sunshine
As our climate table shows, May is the sunniest month with an average of 11 hours of sunshine per day. On average over the year the sun shines 9.4 hours per day. For comparison: In Munich and Berlin, the sun shines an average of 4.7 hours per day throughout the year.
Sights & attractions
The most popular sights include the Southernmost Point, the southernmost point in the USA and the Saint Mary Star of the Sea, a church in Key West that is well worth seeing. Active holidaymakers will also get their money’s worth: be it a bike tour, snorkel excursion or a kayak tour through the manroves – it never gets boring on the Florida Keys.
Couples love the romantic sunset on the water, for example just together in a small bay or in the more lively atmosphere in Mallory Square. Sunset Sails by catamaran or sailboat are also offered in the port of Key West, as are excursions to watch dolphins.
Key West weather in March, April and May
Average daily temperatures between 26 ° C and 30 ° C can be expected over the next three months. In Key West, May is the warmest, but March is a little cooler.
Do you want to go on a beach holiday? The water temperatures are in March, April and May 24-28 ° C. This is great weather for a great time on the beach and in the water.
The expected rainfall is around 4 days in March, around 3 days in April and around 6 days in May.
In the period from March to May , the sun shines on average between 10 and 11 hours a day. The sunniest weather in April in Key West, but with a little less sun you will have to get by in March.
