Key West Travel Answers

Tough call and welcome to our rainy and hurricane season. We never know from day to day and certainly from week to week what tomorrow will bring us. Ophelia is still miles away and the present cone seems to be drawing it NW of us. Although still in the cone of uncertainty, if it follows it's present path/middle ground it will miss the area and instead give us days of sunshine as these weather systems usually draw all moisture into them and in passing us, provide us with dry air. There is also a low moving directly in our direction which is more likely to bring on rain, certainly for the next couple of days. These rains seldom last all day however, if they come in the middle of the day or even late morning and last into late afternoon, they really put a damper (pardon the pun) into a vacation. By comparison, Wyoming (my favorite state to visit) is going through the best time of the season to visit right now. Cool days and nights, beautiful sun filled bright sunny days, the wildlife is out in full force fattening up for the long winter ahead. Tourist hordes have left and you will have the parks mostly to yourself - it is my favorite time of the year to visit and I've been doing so for going on 23 years. I doubt you will experience 10+ days of solid rain but I would count on at least half of them being raining. We recently had 36 days of non stop rain here in Miami and have only recently experienced small drizzles or (as in last 4 days), bright, beautiful sunny days. This is what you should be paying close attention to. They are very good at predicting weather: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ I hope this helps rather than confuse you further Homer

I just looked at the forecast for central Florida where I live. It shows the same, but I can almost guarantee that the rain will only be a small part of any given day. We had the same type of forecast yesterday and today but yesterday we had a thundershower that lasted about 45 minutes, and so far today we have not had any rain. This is the way it is in Florida. Afternoon or evening showers or THUNDERSHOWERS which can be a bit frightening, but again, usually gone by within an hour or so. I doubt you will have a complete "washout".

Ok, I just watched the local update on 2 stations, channel 4 and Channel 7 - my preferred stations for weather coverage. Unfortunately, because we have a front moving in from the north as well as a low from the S.E. they will be clashing and stalling out over all of Florida beginning tomorrow but by Friday we are expecting lots of rain which according to them will throw us into a very wet period for quite some time. I hope this helps.

Use the link Homer gave up above for NOAA. I use that site when I go to the Outer Banks every year in September. It will be your best friend for updates.

a big fan of the keys,the weather changes every day, find a friend who is a pilot he or she can read the weather that far in advance.as far as colorado IT IS NOT CHEAP in the mountain areas,if you stay in the city NO BEACHES.yellowstone sounds good is safe but you could get hit with a freak snow storm.good luck on your decision

Thanks for the advice and help everyone. Sounds like it is going to be pretty wet in Florida during our vacation times so were going to cancel. We have decided to hit Estes Park RMNC, and Yellowstone. Like "HOMER" Suggested I read it is peak time for wildlife and everyday in the 10 day forecast is full of sunshine! Pretty big change but were alright with that..a bit disappointed because i've been looking forward to this Key West Road Trip for some time now BUT I've also really been wanting to do the CO/WY Road Trip also. Thanks again for all the help!! Colorado and Wyoming, here we come!!

May I suggest you break your itinerary to 3 days in Yellowstone and the remainder of the time in Grand Teton National Park? You will have more to do as far as nightlife and such in GTNP with Jackson or nearby area as a home base. Also, early snow can be a factor in parts of Yellowstone's higher elevations. Although much wildlife, you will see as much in GTNP including buffalo and now, wolves which are an iffy, if you happen to catch them by chance sight. I've seen them on 2 occasions, both at Grand Teton. Also, more chance of spotting bear and moose at the Tetons.

Heading to the keys I 5 days but just came home from Estes Park CO and Fort Collins, loved loved loved it! Breathtaking views, visit the Stanley Hotel, gorgeous!