Keys Weather

Balmy Breezes in Cool Carefree Keys

(Houseboat living, above, in the balmy Florida Keys)

Common sense would dictate that daytime temperatures in the Florida Keys, the southernmost region of the continental United States, would average significantly higher than those in the nation's northern climes. Surprisingly, that assumption is incorrect.

Situated between the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, the Florida Keys occupy a unique geographical location whose ocean breezes keep temperatures moderate year-round.

Perfect Place to Enjoy Water Recreation

Key West, the Keys' most far-flung island, boasts an average daytime high temperature of 81.9 degrees Fahrenheit. With similar readings for the entire island chain, the Keys are the perfect place to enjoy water recreation - scuba diving or snorkeling on the region's rare living coral reefs, water skiing, kayaking, sailing and offshore swimming - any time of year.

During the late evening, when the temperature in Key West reaches its average low of 73 degrees Fahrenheit, the weather creates a climate conducive to celebrating into the wee hours in the city's streets.

Two Seasons in the Keys

There are basically two seasons in the Keys - winter and summer, or "dry" and "wet." Winter brings day after day of short-sleeve weather and clear blue skies. In the summer, brief daily showers are the norm. Weather systems move swiftly in the tropics, so these showers are short and sweet, providing sudden shade from the summer sun. Visitors caught in downpours find that they dry rapidly when the bright sun reappears.

Although the Florida Keys summer features frequent but brief rain showers, the annual average rainfall of Key West is only 39.9 inches. Compared with 42.1 inches for New York City, 41.4 inches for Philadelphia and 41.5 inches for Boston, the subtropical Florida Keys average less rainfall than many northern cities.

Thermometers and overcoats, therefore, don't seem to get much exercise in the Florida Keys. And that's a fact that visitors appear to find remarkably refreshing.

(Click below for more travel).


	Balmy Breezes in Cool Carefree Keys (Houseboat living, above, in the balmy Florida Keys) Common sense would dictate that daytime temperatures in the Florida Keys, the southernmost region of the continental United States, would average significantly higher than those in the nation's northern climes. Surprisingly, that assumption is incorrect. Situated between the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, the Florida Keys occupy a unique geographical location whose ocean breezes keep temperatures moderate year-round. Perfect Place to Enjoy Water Recreation Key West, the Keys' most far-flung island, boasts an average daytime high temperature of 81.9 degrees Fahrenheit. With similar readings for the entire island chain, the Keys are the perfect place to enjoy water recreation - scuba diving or snorkeling on the region's rare living coral reefs, water skiing, kayaking, sailing and offshore swimming - any time of year. During the late evening, when the temperature in Key West reaches its average low of 73 degrees Fahrenheit, the weather creates a climate conducive to celebrating into the wee hours in the city's streets. Two Seasons in the Keys There are basically two seasons in the Keys - winter and summer, or "dry" and "wet." Winter brings day after day of short-sleeve weather and clear blue skies. In the summer, brief daily showers are the norm. Weather systems move swiftly in the tropics, so these showers are short and sweet, providing sudden shade from the summer sun. Visitors caught in downpours find that they dry rapidly when the bright sun reappears. Although the Florida Keys summer features frequent but brief rain showers, the annual average rainfall of Key West is only 39.9 inches. Compared with 42.1 inches for New York City, 41.4 inches for Philadelphia and 41.5 inches for Boston, the subtropical Florida Keys average less rainfall than many northern cities. Thermometers and overcoats, therefore, don't seem to get much exercise in the Florida Keys. And that's a fact that visitors appear to find remarkably refreshing. (Click below for more travel).