Key West weather in December

Key West weather in December, by NOAA’s 1991-2020 normals for Key West International Airport, averages a high of 77.7 F, a low of 68.3 F and 2.16 inches of rain for the month. The figures on this page come from NOAA, the National Hurricane Center and the U.S. Naval Observatory, each linked with the date we read it. We leave out the guesses that fill travel forums. Christmas in Key West is an independent planner published by LPE Realty LLC. We are not the City of Key West, Schooner Wharf, the Historic Seaport or any other organiser, and when their published details differ from this page, theirs are the ones to follow.

December at a glance

• NOAA 1991-2020 normals for Key West International Airport (USW00012836), December: average high 77.7 F, average low 68.3 F, mean 73.0 F, precipitation 2.16 inches. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020, station USW00012836 (Key West International Airport)

A climate normal is a 30-year average, here for 1991 to 2020 at station USW00012836 at the airport. December’s mean temperature is 73.0 F, halfway between the average high of 77.7 F and the average low of 68.3 F. A normal is not a forecast. Any single day can run warmer or cooler, so check a current forecast in the week you travel.

November and January for comparison

• Same NOAA normals: November average high 81.0 F, low 72.2 F, precipitation 2.05 inches; January average high 75.8 F, low 65.5 F, precipitation 1.83 inches. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020, station USW00012836 (Key West International Airport)

• November: average high 81.0 F, low 72.2 F, rain 2.05 inches.
• December: average high 77.7 F, low 68.3 F, rain 2.16 inches.
• January: average high 75.8 F, low 65.5 F, rain 1.83 inches.

The holiday season straddles all three months. The Harbor Walk of Lights is lit on Nov. 25, under November’s warmer normals. The OIRF home tours on Dec. 29-30 and New Year’s Eve sit at the turn into January, the coolest of the three by these averages. Rain totals are close across the three, with December slightly the wettest at 2.16 inches.

Sea temperature: can you swim in December?

• NOAA NCEI Coastal Water Temperature Guide, monthly average table, "Key West, FL": November 78.3 F, December 75.3 F, January 72.5 F. NOAA NCEI Coastal Water Temperature Guide (all coastal regions table)

NOAA’s Coastal Water Temperature Guide lists Key West at 78.3 F in November, 75.3 F in December and 72.5 F in January. Those are monthly averages from a table, not a reading for any day. Whether 75 F water feels warm enough is a personal call. Before you swim, note that Florida State Parks says no lifeguards are on duty at Fort Zachary Taylor. The City beaches and what each one offers are on the Key West beaches page.

Hurricane season ends Nov. 30

• NOAA National Hurricane Center: "The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30." NOAA National Hurricane Center: Tropical Cyclone Climatology

The National Hurricane Center says the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. In 2026 the Harbor Walk lighting on Nov. 25 falls in the last week of the season, and every December event falls after it.

Daylight: sunset times

• U.S. Naval Observatory sunset times for Key West (EST): Dec. 1, 2026 5:38 pm; Dec. 12 5:40 pm; Dec. 21 5:44 pm; Dec. 25 5:46 pm; Dec. 31 5:50 pm. Civil twilight ends about 25 minutes later (Dec. 12: 6:05 pm). U.S. Naval Observatory: Sun and Moon Data for One Day (computed for 24.5551 N, 81.7800 W, Eastern Standard Time)

The U.S. Naval Observatory gives Key West sunset at 5:38 pm on Dec. 1, 5:40 pm on Dec. 12, 5:44 pm on Dec. 21, 5:46 pm on Dec. 25 and 5:50 pm on Dec. 31, 2026 (Eastern Standard Time). Civil twilight ends about 25 minutes after sunset. Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square starts an hour or two before sunset, depending on the source; timing for that is on plan your visit.

Planning outdoor and on-the-water evenings

The boat parade

• keywestchristmas.org lists "35th Annual Key West Lighted Boat Parade 2026" on "Saturday, December 12" with "Music at 6:00, Parade starts at 8:00pm." The listing is headed "Schooner Wharf Bar & Galley and Absolute Vodka". Key West "Bight" Before Christmas: keywestchristmas.org (Harbor Walk of Lights)
• keywestchristmas.org lists a "Schooner Appledore Lighted Boat Parade Party" on "Saturday, December 12", "7:30pm" to "9:30pm", aboard "the Schooner Appledore II Parade Boat" with "Very Limited Seating!" Key West "Bight" Before Christmas: keywestchristmas.org (Harbor Walk of Lights)

On Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026 the organisers list music from 6 PM and the parade at 8 PM. Sunset that day is 5:40 pm and civil twilight ends at 6:05 pm, so the whole parade happens in the dark. If you plan to stand on the Harbor Walk for a few hours, or to watch from a boat such as the Schooner Appledore II party listed for 7:30 to 9:30 PM, pack for the low end of the range rather than the 77.7 F afternoon average. More on the boat parade page.

Lights tours and the street parade

The Conch Tour Train’s holiday departures run from 6:00 to 8:30 PM, and the trolley tour lasts 60 minutes, so both happen after sunset. The Hometown Holiday Parade on Dec. 5 starts at 6:30 or 7 PM, depending on the source. See the lights tours and the holiday parade.

Rain on an event night

December’s 2.16 inches is a monthly total, not a daily chance. If the weather turns on an event night, any change will appear on the organiser’s own page or channel first, so check it on the day. The organisers for each event are linked from holiday events and the December calendar.

What we do not publish

No forecast, no cold-front temperatures and no claims about how crowded the island feels. The numbers above are NOAA’s normals and the Naval Observatory’s sun times, nothing more. For getting here and around in December, see getting here and parking.

Dates, rules and hours can change. The organisers have the final word: City of Key West: Visitors