Key West, like Miami, has a 16 percent chance of being impacted by a hurricane during any Atlantic hurricane season. Known as the Southernmost City in the Continental United States, Key West is directly impacted by a hurricane every 6.04 years, according to Hurricane City.

Key West is one of the most hurricane-prone locations in the United States due to its position at the edge of the Florida Straits. Statistically, Key West is brushed or hit by a named tropical storm or hurricane approximately once every 2 years. A direct hit by a "major" hurricane (Category 3 or higher) is rarer, occurring roughly once every 12 to 15 years. Since record-keeping began in 1851, the Florida Keys have experienced more hurricane impacts than any other region in the U.S. Notable recent storms include Hurricane Irma in 2017, which caused significant surge damage, and Hurricane Ian in 2022, which brought record flooding to the island despite not making a direct hit. In 2026, climate patterns have slightly shifted the "intensity" of these storms, making the "Atlantic Hurricane Season" (June 1–Nov 30) a period of mandatory vigilance for residents. Despite the frequency, Key West’s "conch" architecture and modern building codes mean the island is remarkably resilient, though low-lying areas remain highly vulnerable to storm surge during any passing cyclone.