Climate - Cape Coral (Florida)

The climate of Cape Coral is subtropical, with pleasantly warm winters (though characterized by short cold waves) and hot, humid summers, during which there are quite frequent thunderstorms.
The city is located in southwestern Florida, on the Caloosahatchee River estuary. Across the river is the city of Fort Myers. On the coast are islands such as Pine Island, Florida's largest island, and Sanibel.
The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 18.1 °C (64.6 °F), that of the warmest month (August) is of 28.6 °C (83.6 °F). Here are the average temperatures at Fort Myers airport.

Precipitation amounts to 1,355 millimeters (53.3 inches) per year: it is therefore quite abundant. It ranges from 40 mm (1.6 in) in the driest months (February, December) to 260 mm (10.2 in) in the wettest (June). The period from June to September is by far the wettest. Here is the average precipitation.

The winter, from December to February, is pleasantly warm and sunny.
The rains are quite rare, although depending on the year, when it rains, it can rain a lot.
There are several warm periods, in which the temperature reaches or exceeds 28 °C (82 °F). There are also cooler and windier periods, usually of short duration, in which the night temperature drops below 10 °C (50 °F), and sometimes up to 5 °C (41 °F), while the maximum temperatures remain around 15 °C (59 °F).
In addition, short cold spells can sometimes occur, during which the minimum temperature drops to freezing or below. However, these cold spells are less intense than in north-central Florida. The temperature drops below freezing once every few years. The record is -5 °C (23 °F), recorded in December 1989.
Snow in Cape Coral is extremely rare, actually, it has probably never snowed since the end of the nineteenth century.

The summer, from June to September, is hot and muggy. Due to high humidity, the heat is sweltering. The combination of humidity and temperature can produce a perceived temperature of 40 °C (104 °F) and above.
On the hottest days of the year, the temperature usually reaches 35/36 °C (95/97 °F). The record is 39 °C (102 °F), recorded in June 1981.
The sun often shines, but the sky is not always clear, as cloud coverings can form, which can give rise to thunderstorms. In summer, thunderstorms break almost every day, although it doesn't always rain. There can also be hail and gusts of wind.
Between late summer and early autumn, Cape Coral can be affected by hurricanes or tropical storms. Hurricane season runs from June to November, although the period in which they are most likely is from August to October. Generally, hurricanes come from the east or south and therefore do not hit Cape Coral directly, as it faces west, however it is potentially at risk as it is developed near the coast and at sea level. Anyway, the city was flooded by the Great Miami hurricane of September 1926, even though it came from the southeast. In addition, from time to time a hurricane can hit Florida coming from the southwest and directly affect this area, as happened with hurricane Charley in August 2004 and Ian in late September 2022.

In spring and autumn, from March to May and from early October to late November, it is generally warm to hot and sunny. The rains are not very frequent (6/8 days a month).
In May and October it is almost as hot as in summer, even though the humidity is lower and the rains are less frequent.
In March and November, on the other hand, there can be outbreaks of cold air that can bring a bit of cold at night.



The sea temperature ranges between 22 °C (72 °F) and 30 °C (86 °F). The sea is warm enough for swimming from April to December. In winter, it is a bit cool but all in all it is acceptable. Here are the average sea temperatures.

From time to time, Cape Coral can be affected by tornadoes. Tornadoes in Florida typically form from May to October (but sometimes also in January and February), during thunderstorms, and are more frequent but less dangerous than in the south-central United States. Tornadoes in this area are most intense during El Niño years.

Best Time

To visit Cape Coral you can choose the period from mid-March to mid-April. In winter, however, there are long pleasant periods.
To go to the beach, in May the weather is generally excellent, with fewer thunderstorms than in summer.

See also the climate of Florida.

Cape Coral - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

---

In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Cape Coral is usually warm. The average temperature is of 18.1 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 12.4 °C (54.4 °F) and a maximum of 23.7 °C (74.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2.5 °C (36 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29 °C (84.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 40 minutes.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22.5 °C (72.5 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.

---

In February, the weather in Cape Coral is usually warm. The average temperature is of 19.3 °C (67 °F), with a minimum of 13.3 °C (55.9 °F) and a maximum of 25.3 °C (77.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4 °C (39.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30 °C (85.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 20 minutes.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22 °C (71.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

---

In March, the weather in Cape Coral is usually warm. The average temperature is of 20.8 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 14.9 °C (58.8 °F) and a maximum of 26.8 °C (80.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6.5 °C (44 °F).
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (88 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22.5 °C (72.5 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.

---

In April, the weather in Cape Coral is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 23.4 °C (74 °F), with a minimum of 17.5 °C (63.5 °F) and a maximum of 29.2 °C (84.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10 °C (50.5 °F).
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 50 minutes.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 25 °C (77.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

---

In May, the weather in Cape Coral is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 25.6 °C (78 °F), with a minimum of 19.8 °C (67.7 °F) and a maximum of 31.3 °C (88.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 15 °C (58.5 °F).
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (94 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 30 minutes.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 26 °C (79 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

---

In June, the weather in Cape Coral is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 27.6 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 22.8 °C (73 °F) and a maximum of 32.4 °C (90.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 19.5 °C (67.5 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C (96 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 260 mm (10.2 in), distributed over 17 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 50 minutes. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28.5 °C (83 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

---

In July, the weather in Cape Coral is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 28.2 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 23.8 °C (74.8 °F) and a maximum of 32.6 °C (90.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 21.5 °C (71 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C (96 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 215 mm (8.5 in), distributed over 19 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 35 minutes.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29.5 °C (85 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

---

In August, the hottest month of the year, the weather in Cape Coral is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 28.6 °C (84 °F), with a minimum of 24.3 °C (75.7 °F) and a maximum of 33 °C (91.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 22 °C (71.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C (96 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 220 mm (8.7 in), distributed over 20 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 0 minutes.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 30 °C (85.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

---

In September, the weather in Cape Coral is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 28.0 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 23.8 °C (74.8 °F) and a maximum of 32.2 °C (89.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 21 °C (70 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (94 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 215 mm (8.5 in), distributed over 17 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29.5 °C (84.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

---

In October, the weather in Cape Coral is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 25.4 °C (78 °F), with a minimum of 20.8 °C (69.5 °F) and a maximum of 30.1 °C (86.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 14 °C (57.5 °F).
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 30 minutes.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28 °C (82 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

---

In November, the weather in Cape Coral is usually warm. The average temperature is of 22.2 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 17.1 °C (62.8 °F) and a maximum of 27.2 °C (81 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8.5 °C (47.5 °F).
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (88.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 50 minutes.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 25.5 °C (78.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

---

In December, the weather in Cape Coral is usually warm. The average temperature is of 19.6 °C (67 °F), with a minimum of 14.2 °C (57.6 °F) and a maximum of 24.9 °C (76.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5.5 °C (42 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (85.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 30 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 24 °C (75 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.