Hurricane Season in Key West: Storm Odds by Month
Quick answer: Key West’s hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, and August is its busiest month: in the last 50 seasons a tropical storm or hurricane passed within 100 miles in 10 of 50 seasons in August and 7 of 50 seasons in September. Over the year it happened in 21 of 50 seasons; a hurricane came within 50 miles in 5 of 50 seasons, most recently Irma (2017).
Pick where you are going and when. See in how many of the last 50 hurricane seasons a tropical storm or hurricane came within 100 miles on those dates, and which nearby weeks were calmer.
Key West · Sep 10–16
2 of 50 seasonsA tropical storm or hurricane passed within 100 miles of Key West on these dates in 2 of the 50 seasons 1976–2025: 4%.
- Within 50 miles
- 1 of 50
- A hurricane within 50 miles
- 1 of 50
- A hurricane within 100 miles
- 1 of 50
- Safest dates within 4 weeks: Oct 1–7 (0 of 50 seasons), 3 weeks later.
- Storms on these dates: Sally 2020, Irma 2017.
- In 1976–2025, storms came within 100 miles of Key West between Jul 6 and Nov 19.
Historical frequency from NOAA’s best tracks for 1976–2025, not a forecast. For storms this season, see the National Hurricane Center.
The tool above opens on Key West for September 10–16: change the dates to yours. Below, Key West’s whole record, 1976–2025.
Hurricane season in Key West, month by month
In how many of the 50 seasons a tropical storm or hurricane passed within 100 miles at some point in that month.
| Month | Storm within 100 mi | Within 50 mi | Hurricane within 50 mi |
|---|---|---|---|
| June | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| July | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| August | 10 | 5 | 1 |
| September | 7 | 3 | 3 |
| October | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| November | 3 | 2 | 0 |
2005 alone brought Dennis (2005), Katrina (2005), Rita (2005) and Wilma (2005), all as hurricanes within 100 miles.
The busiest week
Key West: Aug 13–19, when a storm came within 100 miles in 4 of 50 seasons (1 other week ties). The chart in the tool shows all 52 weeks.
Every storm within 100 miles since 1976 (27)
| Storm | Within 100 miles | Closest |
|---|---|---|
| Debby (2024) | Aug 3 | a tropical storm within 100 miles |
| Ian (2022) | Sep 27–28 | a hurricane within 100 miles |
| Elsa (2021) | Jul 6 | a tropical storm within 100 miles |
| Sally (2020) | Sep 12 | a tropical storm within 100 miles |
| Eta (2020) | Nov 9 | a tropical storm within 50 miles |
| Gordon (2018) | Sep 3 | a tropical storm within 100 miles |
| Irma (2017) | Sep 10 | a hurricane within 50 miles |
| Isaac (2012) | Aug 26–27 | a tropical storm within 50 miles |
| Fay (2008) | Aug 18–19 | a tropical storm within 50 miles |
| Ernesto (2006) | Aug 29–30 | a tropical storm within 100 miles |
| Dennis (2005) | Jul 9 | a hurricane within 100 miles |
| Katrina (2005) | Aug 26–27 | a hurricane within 50 miles |
| Rita (2005) | Sep 20–21 | a hurricane within 50 miles |
| Wilma (2005) | Oct 24 | a hurricane within 100 miles |
| Charley (2004) | Aug 13 | a hurricane within 100 miles |
| Harvey (1999) | Sep 21 | a tropical storm within 100 miles |
| Irene (1999) | Oct 15 | a hurricane within 50 miles |
| Georges (1998) | Sep 25–26 | a hurricane within 50 miles |
| Gordon (1994) | Nov 15–16 | a tropical storm within 50 miles |
| Andrew (1992) | Aug 24 | a hurricane within 100 miles |
| Fabian (1991) | Oct 16 | a tropical storm within 100 miles |
| Marco (1990) | Oct 10 | a tropical storm within 50 miles |
| Floyd (1987) | Oct 12 | a hurricane within 50 miles |
| Elena (1985) | Aug 29 | a tropical storm within 100 miles |
| Kate (1985) | Nov 19 | a hurricane within 100 miles |
| Dennis (1981) | Aug 16–17 | a tropical storm within 50 miles |
| Dottie (1976) | Aug 19 | a tropical storm within 50 miles |
When the season runs
Key West is in the Atlantic basin, whose hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 (source). The season is when storms are likely, not the only time they can form: the table above counts every storm, whenever it came.
Plan it
- Why Key West is so popular
- How many days you need in Key West
- Is the drive from Miami to Key West worth it?
- Hurricane risk for your exact dates in Key West
- Key West’s weather, month by month
FAQ
When is hurricane season in Key West?
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, peaking around September 10. In 50 seasons (1976–2025), the storms that came within 100 miles of Key West did so between July 6 and November 19, most often in August.
Does Key West get hurricanes?
Yes. In 50 seasons, a tropical storm or hurricane passed within 100 miles of Key West in 21, and a hurricane came within 50 miles in 5: Irma (2017), Katrina (2005), Rita (2005), Irene (1999) and 2 more.
What is the worst month for hurricanes in Key West?
August: a storm came within 100 miles in 10 of the 50 seasons, then September with 7.
What is the safest time to visit Key West in hurricane season?
Within the season, June: no storm came within 100 miles in any of the 50 seasons. Outside June 1 to November 30, no storm came near at all.
How these numbers are made
From NOAA’s best tracks (HURDAT2), every storm’s centre is followed hour by hour and measured against each place; a season counts once it had a tropical storm or hurricane within 100 miles (or 50) on at least one day. It is history, not a forecast: for a storm that exists today, read the National Hurricane Center.