Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Florida Is Only Snow-Free State, Including Hawaii!

If you are looking to avoid snow there is only one state in the United States without the white stuff on the ground: Florida!

This map is from the NOAA website - showing current snow coverage for the United States.  Check out all-green Florida.  Doesn't it just look warm and inviting.

Of course it has never snowed in Key West.

Not even close.

The lowest temperature ever recorded in Key West was 41 degrees.  More typically - the temperatures are downright balmy (see average Key West temperature, rain, and water temperature stats).

As a result, Key West is categorized in USDA's Hardiness Zone 11, a subtropical climate where the average minimum temperature is above 40 degrees.

The only other place in the US in Zone 11?  Hawaii.  Where today it is predicted to snow 12-18 inches at elevations above 11,000 feet on the big island.  Making Hawaii the 49th state to have snow on the ground.

And making Florida the only snow-free state.
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4 comments:

RumShopRyan said...

And thats why I moved here. It's still a little cold out, which I'm not a fan of, but it's better than snow.

Cheers!

Anonymous said...

Hi. My name is Emily and I will be visiting Key West and all the keys next week. I was hoping to get some good suggestions as to some fun things to do and places to see (without breaking the bank).

I am going to be there for a wedding and will be spending 6 days. Any interesting suggestions?
Thanks!!

Cayo Dave said...

Hi Emily. There is so much to do here. And of course it depends on your interests. But here's my 2 cents:
-Play on the water if the weather is nice. go kayaking through the mangroves, enjoy a sunset sail, and visit the Dry Tortugas (if you have a full day to spare). Or just head to the beach, Fort Zachary Taylor State Park - a nice bike ride to the end of Southard Street. Either way, the water surrounding Key West is beautiful - often the colors of sea glass.
-Party on Duval Street - and just off of it, and the many bars. Favorites include: Green Parrot, Hog's Breath, Virgilio's, and The Porch.
-Eat fantastic food: breakfast lunch and dinner, Key West serves up delicious cuisine. Look for: Blue Heaven, Seven Fish, Louie's Backyard, Camille's, Square One, B.O.'s Fish Wagon, Pepe's, Martin's, Santiago's Bodega, and 915.
-Shopping: avoid the lousy t-shirt shops that line Duval Street and cater to the cruise ship tourist. Better local shops include: Besame Mucho, Local Color, T-Shirt Factory (on Simonton Street), Fast Buck Freddie's. High-quality, local fine art can be found at the Audubon House Gallery, Lucky Street Gallery, Gingerbread Square Gallery, and Gallery on Greene (others too...just avoid the art factories on Duval Street selling tired paintings of wine bottles, ballerinas, clowns, and kittens)

Also check out this guide with things to do in Key West for more ideas.

Hope that helps - and have a wonderful trip.

-Cayo Dave

Anonymous said...

Thts y I love florida and go as much as possible