Index

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• Introduction
• The cities - Pensacola, Orlando, Miami
• Sea temperature
• When to go

Introduction

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In much of Florida the climate is sub-tropical, with mild winters (but subject to short cold spells), and hot and sunny summers, from June to September, which are also muggy and with frequent thunderstorms. In the far south, where Miami is located, the climate becomes tropical, since the average temperature in January reaches 20 °C (68 °F). In summer and early autumn, Florida is prone to hurricanes.

In summer, temperatures are uniform from north to south, especially in the daytime, when they range between 31 °C and 33 °C (88 °F and 91 °F), while at night they become warmer as you head south, in fact they go from 21 °C (70 °F) in the far north, to 27 °C (81 °F) in the Keys. On the contrary, winter temperatures are very different: in January the daily average goes from 11 °C (52 °F) in the north (therefore it's similar to that of many Mediterranean areas), to 20 °C (68 °F) in the far south. In summer, it's especially the high humidity that makes the heat uncomfortable, although periods of intense heat are also possible, with highs about 37/38 °C (99/100 °F). Afternoon breezes and thunderstorms give a bit of relief, otherwise you can swim in the sea, or take refuge in air-conditioned buildings.
In winter there are on average 8/9 days with rain in the north, and 6/7 in the centre-south. The rains are due to frontal systems, which are formed because of the clash of air masses, and may be accompanied by wind, and sometimes by cold weather. The rare cold spells can occur from late November to mid-March.
In the northern part of Florida, snow is rare but sometimes it can occur; in the central part (see Orlando) it becomes very rare, while in the south, which includes Miami, it practically never occurs.
On winter nights, fog may form in the north.

Here are the average minimum and maximum temperatures of January in some locations, both in Fahrenheit and Celsius degrees.



In summer the weather is often sunny, but even some cloudiness can form, more or less extended, which can lead to thunderstorms, sometimes accompanied by wind gusts, and less frequently by hail. Fortunately, these thunderstorms do not last long, and quickly give way to the sun.
Tornados in Florida are more common than in the Great Plains and in the Midwest of the United States, but they are generally much less intense. Sometimes, particularly intense tornados can occur in winter or spring, due to abrupt intrusions of cold air.
The season of hurricanes and tropical storms goes from June to November, although they are more likely from August to October. A particularly intense hurricane that hit Florida was the Labor Day hurricane, in August-September 1935. The areas most at risk are the coastal ones, due to storm surges from the sea.
The amount of sunshine in Florida is very good all year round: in fact, the state nickname is "Sunshine State" (although in reality the deserts of California, Arizona and Nevada are more sunny). The sunniest months are March and April in the south, and April and May in the north, while the least sunny season is winter, when, however, the sun often shines. In summer, as mentioned, the sky is not always clear: scattered clouds can form, and sometimes they can grow until they give rise to showers and thunderstorms, then the sun will come back. The south is slightly sunnier than the north: the sun shines 70% of the time in Miami, 66% in Tampa and 60% in Pensacola.
Here are the average daily sunshine hours in Tampa.

The cities

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Now let's see in detail the climate of some cities, starting from the north.

Pensacola

In Pensacola, located in the northwest, overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, the average temperature goes from 11 °C (52 °F) in January, to 28 °C (82 °F) in July. Therefore, winter is not so mild, and besides short cold spells are possible, and sometimes even frosts. The coldest record is as low as -15 °C (5 °F), recorded in January 1985. Rainfall amounts to 1,600 millimetres (63 inches) per year, and is quite abundant in winter, as it always exceeds on average 100 mm (4 in) per month, while there are two relative breaks in spring and autumn, in April-May and October-November (although heavy rains can sometimes occur also in these periods). Winter rains are due to clashes of air masses, which generate disturbances, which transfer mild and moist air from the Gulf of Mexico, while summer rains are mainly due to heat thunderstorms.
Here is the average precipitation.

Pensacola was hit by Hurricane Ivan in September 2004, along with the neighbouring state of Alabama, while it was only brushed by Hurricane Katrina in the following year.
Here are the average temperatures of Pensacola.

In the other northern cities (see Tallahassee, Jacksonville), the climate is similar to that of Pensacola.

Orlando

Continuing to the south, we arrive in Orlando, at the centre of the peninsula, where also Disneyworld is located. Here winter is already much milder, given that the January average rises to 15.5 °C (60 °F). However, even here sometimes short cold spells with slight frosts are possible, from November to March. Every so often even snow can fall, although the only event with accumulation in the city occurred in 1948, and on the outskirts also in 1977.
Here are the average temperatures.

In Orlando, as generally in central and southern Florida, winter is the least rainy season, so that 55 to 65 mm (2.2 to 2.6 in) of rain per month fall from November to February. Summer is, as usual, the rainiest season, because of thunderstorms, but also because of the contribution given by hurricanes: rainfall exceeds 150 mm (6 in) per month from June to September. Here is the average precipitation.

In Tampa, on the west coast, south-west of Orlando, and in Bradenton, located south of Tampa, the climate is similar.

Miami

Further south, we enter an area where cold waves in winter are very rare, and in any case less intense, bringing merely a bit cold at night. In this area the climate can already be described as tropical. In West Palm Beach, the average in January is 19 °C (66 °F), and in Miami it reaches 20 °C (68 °F).
Here are the average temperatures in Miami.

South of Miami, in the Keys, the daytime temperature is similar, but the minimum is even higher: in Key West in January it's 18 °C (64 °F), and in July it's 26.5 °C (79.5 °F).

Sea temperature

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In the northernmost part of the Gulf of Mexico, the sea is warm enough for swimming from May to November, and becomes very warm from June to September, while in winter it is a bit cold, as you can see in the table regarding the sea temperatures in Pensacola.

On the northeast coast, the Atlantic Ocean is warmer in the winter months, so that it does not drop below 21 °C (68 °F), as you can see from the sea temperatures in Fernandina Beach. To find similar temperatures on the west coast, you have to go down to the latitude of Tampa.
Here are the average sea temperatures in Fernandina Beach.

To find acceptable sea temperatures also in winter, about 23/24 °C (73/75 °F), you have to go on the west coast to the southern part (see Marco Island), while on the east coast these temperatures are recorded already at Cape Canaveral. In Miami, in the south-east, the sea is just warmer than in Cape Canaveral.
Here are the average sea temperatures in Miami.

When to go

The best time to visit South Florida and Miami goes from December to April. In winter, Miami is definitely the warmest and most sheltered place throughout the United States, and there are many sunny days, however, even here sometimes there can be cool and windy conditions, and some rain. In the centre-north, where the risk of cold and rain is higher, you can choose spring and autumn, ie, March and April, and October and November, although in October hurricanes are still possible.
For swimming, as we have seen in the south the sea is warm enough also in winter, although the weather is not always ideal: sometimes it can be cool, and even a little cold: hence you can choose the period mid-March to late April. In May, the heat begins to be felt and thunderstorms become more frequent, but you can still go for a beach holiday. Of course you could also go in the long summer, but the heat is sweltering, and there is also the risk of hurricanes.

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