January weather guide

Key West weather in January

Coolest, driest month — the heart of high season

Score87Exceptional

Typical day23°C73°F · low 20°C

Rain & sun33mm9.3 hrs sun/day

Surfboards resting on a sandy beach in Key West, Florida

By Atlas Ranger Editorial

Institutional byline · Updated Sep 8, 2026

What the weather is like in January

Avg high

23°C

73°F

Avg low

20°C

68°F

Rainfall

33mm

best

Sun / day

9.3 hrs

January is the coolest month at a still-mild 23°C, with the year's lowest rainfall (33mm) and low humidity. A passing cold front can bring a breezy, cloudy day or two. It is peak season: Duval Street is busy, and rates run at their winter high.

Against December, January runs 1°C cooler with 45mm less rain.

Averages are five-year Open-Meteo (ERA5) figures for Key West; other parts of Key West vary. Full sources below.

What to pack for Key West in January

Light layers for warm days
A light jacket for the evenings

Is January the right month?

Key West's best month is April; the toughest is September. For the best balance of good conditions and smaller crowds, aim for July. See the full month-by-month breakdown for Key West.

Where to stay in January

January is peak season in Key West, so prices are at their highest. Book early for the best choice of rooms.

Old Town (Duval and the historic district)$$$
Walkability, guesthouses, nightlife
The classic base — conch houses, courtyard pools, everything on foot. Loud within two blocks of Duval; quieter toward the cemetery and Truman Annex.
See Old Town (Duval and the historic district) hotels for 12–18 Jan 2027
New Town / North Roosevelt$$
Chain hotels, parking, lower rates
Fifteen minutes by bike or bus from Old Town. Better value, especially in winter, and easier parking.
See New Town / North Roosevelt hotels for 12–18 Jan 2027
Middle Keys (Marathon) as a base$$
Quieter beaches, families, Bahia Honda
An hour up the highway. Calmer, cheaper, closer to the best swimming beach in the Keys; Key West becomes a day trip.
See Middle Keys (Marathon) as a base hotels for 12–18 Jan 2027

Links open a hotel search for 12–18 Jan 2027; you can change the dates there. We may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.

Frequently asked questions

Is January a good time to visit Key West?

January scores 87/100 on the Atlas Ranger Score — "Exceptional" — which blends weather with crowds and price. January is one of the best months to visit Key West — strong conditions and the reason many travellers pick this window.

How warm is Key West in January?

Expect daytime highs around 23°C (73°F) and overnight lows near 20°C (68°F), with about 9.3 hours of sun a day.

Does it rain in Key West in January?

January sees roughly 33mm of rain — relatively dry.

What should I pack for Key West in January?

For January, pack: Light layers for warm days; A light jacket for the evenings.

How far ahead should I book Key West for January?

January is peak season, so rooms and fares are at their most expensive and the best places go first. Book several months out, and take a rate you can cancel if your dates might move.

Sources: Florida Keys & Key West Tourism (fla-keys.com) · Open-Meteo Historical Climate Data (ERA5) · NOAA National Hurricane Center · Monroe County Emergency Management. Full provenance on the Key West guide.

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