Siesta Key weather in short
Siesta Key sits on the Gulf coast of Florida, and its weather follows two seasons more than four. Winter and spring are milder and drier. Summer is hot and much wetter. The wet months run from June to September, when monthly rain is several times higher than in winter.
The figures below are 1991 to 2020 averages from the Sarasota-Bradenton airport weather station, the nearest long-term record. They describe the area around Siesta Key, not a sensor on the sand, and they say nothing about the weather on a given day in 2026. If you are still choosing between water activities, our page on Siesta Key boat tours shows which trips run in which season.
Siesta Key weather month by month
Average daily high and low, and average rain for the month, 1991 to 2020.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 73 °F (22.5 °C) | 52 °F (11.3 °C) | 2.8 in (71 mm) | Coolest month on average |
| February | 75 °F (23.8 °C) | 55 °F (12.6 °C) | 1.9 in (49 mm) | Mild days, little rain |
| March | 78 °F (25.7 °C) | 58 °F (14.5 °C) | 2.9 in (72 mm) | Warming up |
| April | 83 °F (28.1 °C) | 63 °F (17.1 °C) | 2.5 in (63 mm) | Warm days, still moderate rain |
| May | 87 °F (30.8 °C) | 68 °F (20.1 °C) | 2.6 in (66 mm) | Sea turtle nesting season starts on 1 May |
| June | 90 °F (32.2 °C) | 74 °F (23.1 °C) | 7.1 in (179 mm) | Rain jumps; hurricane season starts on 1 June |
| July | 91 °F (32.8 °C) | 75 °F (24.0 °C) | 7.4 in (188 mm) | Hot and wet |
| August | 92 °F (33.1 °C) | 75 °F (24.1 °C) | 9.1 in (231 mm) | Warmest and wettest month |
| September | 90 °F (32.3 °C) | 74 °F (23.4 °C) | 6.0 in (152 mm) | Last wet month |
| October | 86 °F (30.2 °C) | 68 °F (20.2 °C) | 2.8 in (70 mm) | Rain drops sharply; nesting season ends on 31 October |
| November | 80 °F (26.7 °C) | 60 °F (15.6 °C) | 1.8 in (46 mm) | Driest month; hurricane season ends on 30 November |
| December | 75 °F (24.0 °C) | 55 °F (12.9 °C) | 2.3 in (59 mm) | Mild, with low rain |
Temperatures are rounded to whole degrees Fahrenheit in the table. Rain is the average monthly total, not the number of rainy days.
Our pick: a bay tour with a wind jacket
Our take: winter and spring are milder and drier, and this catamaran tour includes a wind jacket for breezy days on the bay.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Siesta Key and Sarasota tours through the seasons
Boat and dolphin trips, kayak tours and day trips around Siesta Key and Sarasota, with live prices and availability.
Best time to visit Siesta Key
The best month depends on how you feel about heat and rain.
| You want | Months | What the averages show |
|---|---|---|
| Mild days and little rain | November to April | Highs of 73 to 83 °F (23 to 28 °C), rain of 1.8 to 2.9 in (46 to 72 mm) per month |
| Warm days, still dry | May and October | Highs of 86 to 87 °F (30 to 31 °C), lows of 68 °F (20 °C), rain of 2.6 to 2.8 in (66 to 70 mm) |
| The hottest weather | June to September | Highs of 90 to 92 °F (32 to 33 °C), lows of 74 to 75 °F (23 to 24 °C), rain of 6.0 to 9.1 in (152 to 231 mm) |
| Fewer hurricane-season worries | December to May | Outside the season that runs from 1 June to 30 November |
For most beach trips, October is a good balance of warm water and low rain, with the hurricane season still open until 30 November. If you prefer cool, dry days to swimming, plan for December to March. Nothing here is a forecast, and no month is free of rain.
Gulf water temperature
For water temperature, a nearby reading is a useful guide. At Port Manatee in Tampa Bay, the monthly average is 62.7 °F (17.1 °C) in January, 87.9 °F (31.1 °C) in July and 80.0 °F (26.7 °C) in October. The Gulf off Siesta Key will differ somewhat.
That means January water feels cold to many swimmers, while July water is very warm. Do not read the air temperature in the table as the water temperature.
Hurricane season and red tide
Two things worth a look before you book.
Hurricane season
The Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico season runs from 1 June to 30 November. A date on the calendar is not a local all-clear or an evacuation order. If a storm is forecast near Sarasota, follow county and National Hurricane Center updates, and check your hotel's cancellation terms when you book.
Two hurricanes affected the region in autumn 2024: Helene made landfall in the Big Bend on 26 September 2024, and Milton passed near Sarasota on 9 October 2024. Their effects on the coast still show in places. Palmer Point, south of Turtle Beach, can be reached only by boat after erosion from Milton.
Crescent Beach and Turtle Beach →Red tide
Red tide is a bloom of algae that can irritate eyes and throats and affect marine life. Florida's wildlife agency, the FWC, publishes a status report with sample locations and dates. Counts below 1,000 cells per liter are background levels, and a bloom starts above 100,000 cells per liter.
Look at where and when a sample was taken, because Florida is a long coast with very different conditions in different places.
Beach flags and lifeguards
Check the flag at the lifeguard tower. Double red flags mean the water is closed for swimming, and a purple flag warns of possibly dangerous marine life. Lifeguards at Siesta Key Beach are on duty from about 10 a.m. to around 5 p.m., and not later.
Siesta Key Beach guide →Plan the rest of your trip
Where the weather fits in.
Siesta Key weather: frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Siesta Key?
It depends on what you want. November to April brings mild days and low rain. October and May are warmer with moderate rain. June to September is hottest and wettest. The averages above show the pattern but cannot promise a dry day.
How hot does Siesta Key get?
August is the warmest month, with an average high of 92 °F (33 °C) and an average low of 75 °F (24 °C). January is the coolest, with an average high of 73 °F (22.5 °C) and a low of 52 °F (11.3 °C).
Does it rain a lot in summer?
Yes, compared with the rest of the year. June to September each average 6.0 to 9.1 in (152 to 231 mm) of rain. Winter and spring months average 1.8 to 2.9 in (46 to 72 mm).
When is hurricane season?
It officially runs from 1 June to 30 November. That is a calendar window, not a statement about any given week. Check the forecast and your booking terms before you travel.
Is this the weather for all of Florida?
No. The table describes the Sarasota-Bradenton area around Siesta Key. Other parts of Florida, such as the Keys or the Panhandle, have their own climates.
Is this the official Siesta Key website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not run by Sarasota County, a tourism office or any beach business, so check county pages for current closures and rules.