Sheet 14 · Vacation Planning · Pillar guide
Key West Month by Month: Weather, Crowds, and Prices All Year
Every month in Key West, honestly: NOAA temperatures, rain and sea temperatures, the festivals, crowds and hotel prices, what is in season, and who each month really suits.
Key West has no bad weather in the way Chicago or London understand it. The coldest month still averages a high in the mid-70s, and the hottest rarely tops the low 90s. What changes through the year is subtler and matters more: whether the wind is blowing the water murky, whether there is a thunderstorm every afternoon at three, whether your hotel costs $250 or $650, whether Duval Street is half empty or wall-to-wall costumes. Planning Key West by month is about matching those shifts to the trip you actually want — and knowing which months look perfect on a climate chart but come with a catch.
This guide goes through the year month by month: temperatures, rain and water temperature from NOAA’s 1991–2020 climate normals for Key West International Airport; the main events and festivals; crowds and hotel prices; what is in season on the water and on the plate; and an honest verdict on who each month suits. Event dates and price patterns were checked in September 2026; festival dates shift slightly each year, so confirm the specific dates for your trip before you book.
Key West by month: the whole year at a glance
| Month | Avg high / low (°F) | Sea temp (°F) | Rain days | Crowds | Hotel prices | Headline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 76 / 66 | 71 | 7 | High | High | Coolest month; half marathon, Food & Wine |
| February | 77 / 67 | 71 | 5 | Very high | Peak | Dry, sunny, busiest and priciest |
| March | 80 / 69 | 73 | 5 | Very high | Peak | Spring break, near-perfect weather |
| April | 83 / 73 | 78 | 5 | High | High | Sunniest stretch; Conch Republic celebration |
| May | 86 / 76 | 81 | 8 | Moderate | Mid | Songwriters Festival, warm water, fewer crowds |
| June | 89 / 79 | 83 | 11 | Moderate | Mid | Pride, rainy season and hurricane season begin |
| July | 90 / 81 | 86 | 12 | Moderate | Mid | Hemingway Days, lobster mini-season, hot |
| August | 91 / 81 | 87 | 15 | Low | Low | Hottest; Lobsterfest; cheap rooms |
| September | 89 / 79 | 86 | 16 | Lowest | Lowest | Wettest, peak hurricane risk, quietest |
| October | 86 / 77 | 83 | 12 | Low, then very high | Low, then peak | Quiet until Fantasy Fest takes over |
| November | 81 / 72 | 78 | 6 | Moderate | Mid | Powerboat races, drying out, underrated |
| December | 78 / 68 | 75 | 6 | Moderate, then very high | Mid, then peak | Quiet early; holiday rush from mid-month |
Temperatures and rain days are rounded 1991–2020 averages. Crowd and price levels are relative to Key West itself, which is never truly empty and never truly cheap.
The three seasons that actually matter
Forget the four temperate seasons. Key West runs on three.
High season: mid-December to Easter
Dry, sunny, breezy and comfortably warm. This is what most people picture when they think of escaping winter to Key West, and it is when most of them do it. Hotels are at their most expensive, the best restaurants need reservations, Mallory Square at sunset is packed and minimum stays are common. The trade-off is the weather: low humidity, very little rain and highs in the upper 70s to low 80s. The occasional cold front drops the temperature into the 60s for a day or two and whips up the wind, which can cancel boat trips and churn up the water.
Shoulder season: late April to July, and November to mid-December
Warmer and more humid in late spring and summer, pleasantly drying out in late fall. Prices drop from their winter highs, crowds thin (with exceptions around holidays and big events), and the water is warm and often calm. For many regular visitors, these are the best months of the year.
Low season: August to mid-October
Hot, humid, stormy and cheap. Hotel rates are at their lowest, the island is at its quietest, and you can often walk into restaurants that are booked solid in February. It is also the heart of hurricane season, with most of the year’s rain falling in short, heavy afternoon storms. Many locals take their own vacations, and some restaurants and shops close for a few weeks in September. Come with travel insurance and flexible plans, and it can be excellent value.
Holidays and weekends that break the pattern
Season sets the baseline; the calendar sets the spikes. Even in a quiet month, a US holiday weekend can fill the island, push up rates and lengthen the line at every popular restaurant. The weekends worth checking your dates against:
- New Year’s (late December to January 2) — the most expensive stretch of the year.
- Martin Luther King Jr. weekend (mid-January) and Presidents’ Day weekend (mid-February) — both very busy, on top of high season.
- Spring break (roughly the first three weeks of March) — dates vary by school and university, so one week can be crowded and the next merely busy.
- Easter — the last big weekend of the high season.
- Memorial Day and July 4 — busy summer weekends with fireworks and boats everywhere.
- Labor Day — busier than the rest of September, but calm compared with winter.
- Fantasy Fest (the last ten days of October) — a peak-season week in the middle of the low season.
- Thanksgiving — a busy long weekend at the start of the holiday season.
The simplest money-saving trick in Key West is to arrive on a Sunday or Monday and leave on a Thursday or Friday. Midweek rates are often noticeably lower than weekends in the same month, and restaurants and boats are easier to book.
January
Weather: The coolest month, with average highs around 76°F and lows around 66°F. Humidity is low, rain is light (under 2 inches for the month) and there is plenty of sunshine. Cold fronts sweep through every week or two, bringing a day or two of north wind, cooler nights in the low 60s and occasionally the 50s, and choppy water. The sea averages around 71°F — refreshing, cold for some people, fine for most once they are in.
Events: January is Key West’s culture month. The Key West Literary Seminar draws writers and readers from all over the country. The Key West Half Marathon & Runfest takes over the streets in mid-January (January 15–17 in 2027), and the Key West Food & Wine Festival runs in late January (January 27–31 in 2027), with tastings, dinners and events at restaurants across the island.
Crowds and prices: The first few days of January are still holiday-busy and expensive. After that there is a short, slightly quieter window before the February rush, but rates remain high-season. Martin Luther King Jr. weekend is busy.
On the water and the plate: Stone crab season is in full swing, and spiny lobster is in season. Offshore, it is prime time for sailfish. Wind can cancel or roughen snorkel trips; visibility suffers on the days after a front.
Verdict: Excellent for escaping the northern winter, walking, cycling, museums and food. Not the best month if your whole trip hangs on snorkeling, a beach day in warm water or a guaranteed calm boat trip to Dry Tortugas.
February
Weather: Very similar to January, a touch warmer — highs around 77°F, lows around 67°F — and one of the driest months of the year, averaging only about five rain days. Humidity is low and the sky is mostly clear. Cold fronts still pass through, fewer of them later in the month.
Events: Art and craft shows fill the calendar, including an outdoor art festival on the Truman Waterfront in late February in recent years. The historic house and garden tours of Old Island Days begin in winter, letting you inside private Old Town homes. Valentine’s Day brings every sunset sail and candlelit dinner in town to capacity.
Crowds and prices: Peak. February and March are typically the most expensive months of the year to stay in Key West, and Presidents’ Day weekend is one of the busiest weekends. Book early — months, not weeks — for the best-located hotels and inns, and expect minimum-night requirements.
On the water and the plate: Stone crab and lobster are in season. The water is still cool, around 71°F.
Verdict: Arguably the most reliable weather of the year for visitors from cold climates. Worth it if you book ahead and budget for it; frustrating if you try to organize it at the last minute.
March
Weather: Near-perfect. Highs around 80°F, lows around 69°F, low humidity and — with April — some of the lowest rainfall and highest sunshine totals of the year. Cold fronts become rare, and the sea warms to about 73°F.
Events: Old Island Days traditions continue, including the gloriously silly Conch Shell Blowing Contest. Spring break brings a mix of college students and, increasingly, families, depending on the week.
Crowds and prices: Peak. Spring break weeks are among the most crowded and expensive of the year, and many hotels hold rates at their highest through the month. Easter can fall in March, adding another busy weekend.
On the water and the plate: Lobster season closes on March 31. Stone crab is still in season. As the water warms, snorkeling and diving conditions improve. Sargassum seaweed can start to arrive on Atlantic-facing beaches from March or April in heavy bloom years.
Verdict: The best weather of the year for a lot of people, with the biggest crowds and highest prices to match. If you can travel in the first week or the last week, avoid the main spring break weeks and book well ahead, it is superb.
April
Weather: Warm and sunny. Highs around 83°F, lows around 73°F and, on average, fewer rain days than any other month. April has more sunshine hours than any winter month, and humidity is still moderate. The sea reaches about 78°F — genuinely pleasant for swimming.
Events: The Conch Republic Independence Celebration takes over the second half of the month: roughly ten days commemorating Key West’s tongue-in-cheek secession from the United States in 1982, with a bed race down Duval Street, a drag race of the high-heeled kind, and the Great Battle for the Conch Republic, a mock naval battle fought in the harbor with water cannons and stale Cuban bread. See our Conch Republic Celebration guide.
Crowds and prices: Still high season until after Easter, then noticeably quieter and cheaper toward the end of the month. Late April is one of the best-value windows in the calendar for this quality of weather.
On the water and the plate: Tarpon season starts to build — the big migratory fish are arriving in the channels and around the bridges. Our Key West fishing seasons guide has the full calendar. Stone crab is still available. Sargassum becomes more likely on the Atlantic side.
Verdict: One of the two or three best months of the year. After Easter, it is hard to beat.
May
Weather: Getting hot. Highs around 86°F, lows around 76°F, humidity rising noticeably through the month and the rainy season starting to show — around seven or eight rain days, mostly short afternoon showers. May is also the sunniest month on average. The sea is around 81°F.
Events: The Key West Songwriters Festival, the largest festival of its kind in the world, fills bars, restaurants and hotel stages across the island with songwriters playing their own songs, many of the shows free. The 2027 festival is announced for April 28 to May 2. Our Key West Songwriters Festival guide has the details. Memorial Day weekend is busy.
Crowds and prices: Shoulder season. Crowds thin, and room rates fall well below their winter peaks outside festival and holiday weekends.
On the water and the plate: Excellent. Tarpon fishing is at or near its peak, the water is warm and the wind usually lighter than in winter, making May one of the best months for snorkeling, diving and Dry Tortugas trips. Stone crab season closes at the start of the month. Sargassum can be heavy in some years on exposed beaches.
Verdict: The sweet spot for many repeat visitors: warm water, calmer seas, lower prices, good events. Only people who really dislike humidity should hesitate.
June
Weather: Summer arrives. Highs around 89°F, lows around 79°F, high humidity and around 11 rain days, usually as short but heavy afternoon thunderstorms. Hurricane season officially begins on June 1, although June storms are relatively uncommon. The sea is about 83°F.
Events: Key West Pride fills the month with a parade, a street fair and parties celebrating the island’s long-established LGBTQ+ community. See our Key West Pride Festival guide.
Crowds and prices: Moderate. Families on summer vacation start to arrive, but crowds are nothing like the winter peak, and rates are mid-range.
On the water and the plate: Tarpon season continues. Calm, clear, warm water — often the best conditions of the year for snorkeling and diving, especially in the morning, before the afternoon storms build.
Verdict: Very good for water lovers and anyone who handles heat well. Plan outdoor activities for the morning and keep afternoons flexible.
July
Weather: Hot and humid. Highs around 90°F, lows around 81°F and a heat index that often feels closer to 100°F. About 12 rain days, mostly afternoon storms that clear quickly. The water is bath-warm at around 86°F.
Events: Hemingway Days, in mid to late July, celebrates the island’s most famous writer with readings, a fishing tournament, a mock “running of the bulls” on wheeled bulls, and the famous look-alike contest, in which dozens of stocky, white-bearded men compete to be crowned Papa at Sloppy Joe’s. See our Hemingway Days guide. The Fourth of July brings fireworks and a busy holiday weekend.
Crowds and prices: Moderate, with spikes around July 4, Hemingway Days and lobster mini-season.
On the water and the plate: The two-day spiny lobster sport season — mini-season — falls on the last Wednesday and Thursday of July, when thousands of recreational divers descend on the Keys. It is fun if you are taking part and crowded on the water and at boat ramps if you are not. Our Key West lobster season guide covers the rules.
Verdict: For heat-lovers, divers and Hemingway fans. Not for anyone who wilts above 85°F or wants to spend all afternoon walking around Old Town.
August
Weather: The hottest month, with highs around 91°F and lows around 81°F, high humidity and around 15 rain days. Rainfall picks up to over 5 inches for the month, still mostly in afternoon and evening storms. The sea peaks at about 87°F. Hurricane risk rises through the month.
Events: Key West Lobsterfest in early August follows the start of the regular lobster season on August 6, with a street fair, lobster dishes all over town and a duck race that is as absurd as it sounds.
Crowds and prices: Low. After the first weekend, many families head home for the new school year, and hotel prices fall to among their lowest of the year. Deals are easy to find.
On the water and the plate: Regular lobster season opens on August 6. The water is warm and often calm, but storms can interrupt boat trips, and sargassum may affect Atlantic beaches.
Verdict: Good value for budget travelers, divers and anyone who does not mind the heat, provided you buy travel insurance and keep an eye on the tropics. Our cheapest time to visit Key West guide explains how to make the most of it.
September
Weather: The wettest month, averaging over 7 inches of rain across about 16 rain days, and statistically the most likely month for a hurricane or tropical storm to affect the Keys. Highs are still around 89°F with lows near 79°F. Most days are not stormy — many are hot, sunny mornings followed by an afternoon downpour — but when a system develops, it can disrupt or end a trip.
Events: Very little. The run-up to Fantasy Fest begins, but September is the island’s quietest month.
Crowds and prices: The lowest of the year. Some restaurants, shops and attractions close for part of the month for staff vacations and maintenance — check before you go if a specific restaurant is important to you.
On the water and the plate: Warm water, generally light winds between systems. Boat trips can be cancelled at short notice.
Verdict: The cheapest and quietest Key West you will find, with real risk attached. Worth it for flexible, insured travelers who can move dates or leave early. Not the month for a wedding, a once-in-a-lifetime trip or anyone who would be upset by a cancelled Dry Tortugas ferry. Hurricane Irma made landfall in the Lower Keys on September 10, 2017; it is not a hypothetical risk.
October
Weather: Still hot and humid early in the month, with highs around 86°F and lows around 77°F, around 12 rain days and continuing hurricane risk. Conditions usually improve through the month as the first weak fronts arrive and humidity eases.
Events: Fantasy Fest, Key West’s biggest and most outrageous event, fills the last ten days of October with costume parties, street fairs, a pet masquerade and the Saturday night parade down Duval Street. It is adults-oriented, with body paint and a lot of skin, and absolutely not for everyone. See our Fantasy Fest guide.
Crowds and prices: A month of two halves. The first half is quiet and cheap. During Fantasy Fest, prices jump to peak-season levels or beyond, rooms sell out months in advance and minimum stays are standard.
On the water and the plate: Stone crab season opens on October 15, and the first claws of the year are a local event in themselves. Lobster remains in season.
Verdict: Early October is a good-value option for flexible, insured travelers. Late October is either the best party of your life or a week to avoid Key West completely, depending on who you are.
November
Weather: The rainy season winds down. Highs around 81°F, lows around 72°F, humidity falls and the rain drops to around six rain days. Hurricane season officially ends on November 30, and late-season storms are rare. The sea is still warm at about 78°F.
Events: The Key West World Championship offshore powerboat races bring enormous, very loud boats racing around the island in early to mid November, with crowds lining the waterfront. Thanksgiving weekend is busy, and holiday decorations start to appear.
Crowds and prices: Moderate, with spikes for the powerboat races and Thanksgiving. Outside those, November offers some of the best value in the calendar for this quality of weather.
On the water and the plate: Stone crab and lobster are both in season. The water is warm, though the first cold fronts can bring windy days.
Verdict: Underrated. Late fall combines warm water, falling humidity, pleasant temperatures and moderate prices. If you have flexibility, early to mid November and the week after Thanksgiving are among the best-value weeks of the year.
December
Weather: Pleasant and mostly dry. Highs around 78°F, lows around 68°F, low humidity and around six rain days. Cold fronts return, bringing occasional cool, windy spells. The sea is about 75°F.
Events: Holiday Fest decorates the island: a lighted boat parade through the harbor, the Harbor Walk of Lights, holiday historic inn tours and a very Key West Christmas. New Year’s Eve is huge, with Key West’s own versions of the ball drop — including a giant conch shell at Sloppy Joe’s, a drag queen lowered in an enormous red high-heeled shoe, and a pirate wench lowered from a ship’s mast at Schooner Wharf. See our Key West Christmas events and Key West New Year’s Eve guides.
Crowds and prices: Early December is quiet and reasonably priced — one of the best-kept secrets in the Key West calendar. From about December 20 to January 2, the island is packed and prices hit their annual highs.
On the water and the plate: Stone crab and lobster are in season. Winter winds become more frequent, which can affect boat trips.
Verdict: The first two weeks are a lovely, relaxed and good-value time to visit. The holidays are festive, crowded and expensive; book months ahead.
The best month for…
| Priority | Best months | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Weather overall | March, April, early May | Warm, sunny, dry, low humidity, warming water |
| Escaping winter | January, February | Mid-70s and dry while the north freezes |
| Lowest prices | August, September, early October | Low season, with hurricane risk |
| Value with good weather | Late April, May, November, early December | Shoulder season, reliable conditions |
| Snorkeling and diving | May, June, July | Warmest, calmest, clearest water |
| Tarpon fishing | April, May, June | Migration peak |
| Beaches and swimming | May to October | Warmest water, though watch sargassum and storms |
| Walking and sightseeing | December to April | Comfortable temperatures and low humidity |
| Parties | Late October, New Year’s Eve | Fantasy Fest and the conch shell drop |
| Music | Late April to early May | Songwriters Festival |
| Food | Late January; mid-October to May for stone crab | Food & Wine Festival; stone crab claws |
| Families | June, July, Thanksgiving, spring break | School holidays; see heat and crowd notes |
| Weddings and honeymoons | April, May, November, early December | Great weather, fewer crowds than winter peak |
| Avoiding crowds | September, early October, early December | The quietest weeks of the year |
For a deeper look at choosing the right time, our best time to visit Key West guide weighs weather, price and crowds, and the Key West weather guide explains the climate in more depth.
Which months to avoid, depending on who you are
Every month suits someone. Most months also disappoint someone. Rather than a single “worst month,” here is the honest version:
- If you hate crowds and high prices, avoid February, March, the Christmas and New Year fortnight and Fantasy Fest week. You will pay the most for the least elbow room.
- If you hate heat and humidity, avoid July, August and September. The heat index regularly makes 90°F feel over 100°F, and Old Town’s charms are best enjoyed at walking pace.
- If your trip cannot be moved or cancelled, avoid late August through early October. That includes weddings with guests flying in, milestone birthdays and anything with non-refundable deposits you cannot insure.
- If you are bringing young children, avoid Fantasy Fest week entirely, and think twice about spring break weeks and the hottest summer months.
- If snorkeling or Dry Tortugas is the main event, be wary of January and February, when cold fronts bring wind that cancels or roughens boat trips. It is not a reason to skip winter; it is a reason to leave spare days.
- If you want a beach holiday in the classic sense, know that Key West’s beaches are small at the best of times and that sargassum can affect the Atlantic side from spring to fall. In that case, consider pairing Key West with a few nights near Bahia Honda.
Boat trips and Dry Tortugas through the year
Much of the best of Key West happens on the water, and the calendar affects it more than it affects anything on land.
| Season | Sea conditions | What it means for trips |
|---|---|---|
| December – March | Cooler water, frequent strong winds after cold fronts | More cancellations and rougher crossings; visibility suffers after a front. Book early in your stay. |
| April – June | Warming water, winds easing | Some of the best conditions of the year for snorkeling, diving and the Dry Tortugas ferry. |
| July – August | Warmest, often calmest seas | Superb mornings; afternoon storms and lightning can cut trips short. |
| September – October | Warm water, tropical systems | Generally good between storms, with a real chance of cancellations when a system threatens. |
| November | Warm water, first fronts | Often lovely; the odd windy spell. |
Whatever the month, schedule the boat trip you care most about early in your stay, so a weather cancellation can be rebooked. The ferry and seaplane to Dry Tortugas, and the snorkel and sunset boats, all operate year-round, weather permitting.
Hurricane season: what it really means
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with the peak from mid-August through October, and September the single riskiest month. A direct hit in any given week is unlikely, and the great majority of summer and fall visitors experience nothing worse than daily thunderstorms. But the risk is real, and the Keys are one road long. If a hurricane threatens, Monroe County orders visitors to evacuate first, often several days ahead of the storm, and everyone leaves up the same highway.
- Buy travel insurance that covers hurricanes and evacuations, and buy it before a storm is named.
- Book refundable or flexible rooms and flights between August and October.
- Watch the National Hurricane Center in the week before you travel.
- Follow official orders. If visitors are told to leave, leave.
Sargassum: the seaweed question
In recent years, large blooms of sargassum seaweed have drifted into the Florida Keys, typically from around March or April through October, peaking in summer. The 2026 season was forecast to be heavy. When it arrives, Atlantic-facing beaches such as Smathers can pile up with brown seaweed that smells as it rots, while sheltered beaches and bay-side shorelines are much less affected. It varies enormously from week to week. If a beach holiday is the main point of a summer trip, check recent local reports shortly before you go, and consider a base with a pool. Our Key West beaches guide explains which beaches catch it.
Prices through the year
Key West hotel prices follow the weather and the event calendar closely. As a rough guide to relative cost:
- Most expensive: late December to early January, February, March, Fantasy Fest week, and major holiday weekends.
- Expensive: January (outside the holidays), April until Easter, and big event weekends.
- Mid-range: late April to July, November, early December.
- Cheapest: August to mid-October, excluding Fantasy Fest.
The difference between the cheapest and most expensive weeks at the same hotel can easily be double or more. For a full breakdown of accommodation, food and activity costs, see our Key West trip cost guide. If you are open to staying outside the city itself, our where to stay in the Florida Keys guide compares bases up the chain that can be cheaper in peak season.
What to pack, by season
| Season | Essentials |
|---|---|
| December – February | Light layers, a sweater or light jacket for cool evenings and windy days on boats, a thin wetsuit or rash guard for snorkeling |
| March – May | Light, breathable clothes, strong sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, swimwear |
| June – September | The lightest clothes you own, a compact umbrella or rain jacket, electrolytes, insect repellent |
| October – November | Summer clothes plus a light layer late in the season, rain jacket in October |
Our Key West packing list has the full checklist, and the Key West events guide lists the full festival calendar.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Key West?
For most people, April — especially after Easter — or early May. The weather is warm, sunny and dry, the water is warm enough for comfortable swimming, and crowds and prices are lower than in February and March.
What is the coldest month in Key West?
January, with average highs around 76°F and lows around 66°F. Cold fronts can occasionally push overnight lows into the 50s, and the record low is 41°F, but frost has never been recorded.
What is the hottest month in Key West?
August, with average highs around 91°F, lows around 81°F and high humidity. July is almost as hot. The sea is warmest in August, at around 87°F.
What is the rainiest month in Key West?
September, averaging about 7 inches of rain over roughly 16 rain days. Most of it falls in short, heavy afternoon storms rather than all-day rain.
When is the cheapest time to visit Key West?
August through mid-October, outside Fantasy Fest week. This is also the peak of hurricane season, so book flexible rates and buy travel insurance.
When is Key West the most crowded?
From Christmas through New Year, in February and March (especially during spring break weeks), and during Fantasy Fest in late October.
Can you swim in Key West in winter?
Yes. The sea averages around 71°F in January and February. Many visitors from colder places swim happily; others find it bracing. For snorkeling, a thin wetsuit or rash guard makes a big difference.
When is hurricane season in Key West?
June 1 to November 30, with the highest risk from mid-August through October. September is historically the most active month.
Related Key West Guides
- Best time to visit Key West — weather, crowds and prices weighed up
- Key West weather — the climate explained season by season
- Cheapest time to visit Key West — how to travel in the low season
- Key West events — the full festival calendar
- Fantasy Fest — the island’s biggest week
- Key West fishing seasons — what is biting, month by month
- Key West packing list — what to bring in every season
Photo Credits
Tightrope walker at the Mallory Square sunset celebration: Florida Keys Scenic Highway – Tightrope Walker at Sunset Celebration – NARA – 7718458 by Unknown author Unknown author or not provided, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Sunset crowds at Mallory Square: Key West – Mallory Square (3886264276) by Roger W from Sarasota, Florida, U.S.A., CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Wind at Smathers Beach: Early morning Smathers Beach Key West by Juliancolton, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Sources & corrections
Rates, hours and closures verified against operator listings and on-island visits. Prices are peak-season unless noted.
