Drone Flying Conditions in Key West

The live score above pulls today's forecast and scores wind, gusts, visibility, precipitation, and temperature into a single flight verdict. 90+ is ideal. Below 60, conditions require caution or postponement. Key West is a low-lying island at the end of the Florida Keys — trade winds off the Atlantic and Gulf, tropical storms in season, and heavy military airspace make it one of the more regulated and wind-exposed locations in the US for drone flying.

Key West is surrounded by Naval Air Station Key West (NAS Key West) airspace, which heavily restricts flying across the island and surrounding waters — LAANC authorization is required and not always available. Dry Tortugas National Park, accessible by seaplane or ferry, prohibits drones. The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary also has restrictions. Check FAA B4UFLY carefully; much of Key West has limited or no available LAANC authorization.

Above 10–12 mph sustained, footage quality degrades. Above 20 mph or with gusts 15+ mph above sustained wind, most consumer drones are at risk. Key West regularly sees trade winds of 12–18 mph — with no terrain or elevation to buffer the flow, conditions are consistently windier than inland locations and require careful daily monitoring.

DroneCast scores flight conditions using wind, gusts, precipitation, visibility, and temperature. GoldCast (same app) scores golden hour quality and timing. Free on web at lightcastsuite.com/dronecast, full features in the LightCast iOS app. $2.99/month after a 7-day free trial.