According to Abbreviation Finder, Florida (FL) is nicknamed the Sunshine State and of course owes that name to the high number of hours of sunshine, but also to the fact that Florida is an important vacation and winter destination for Americans. The climate of Florida is for the most part a warm maritime climate (type Cfa according to the Köppen system ), the southeast has a subtropical climate (type Aw) and the southwest (the Everglades) has a monsoon climate (type Am). Most site and guides talk about a subtropical climate for the entire state of Florida, but that’s not true because 90% of Florida doesn’t meet one important criterion: an average temperature of the coldest month of at least 18 degrees Celsius.
Stuffy
In the summer months it can get very stuffy, especially in the southeast. Daytime temperatures of more than thirty degrees, in combination with high humidity, ensure that it feels clammy and warm for almost the entire 24 hours. This applies to all of Florida, but especially Miami and the surrounding area. Especially if a warm and sunny period follows after a few days with rain as a result of a tropical depression, it can become very muggy.
Wintery
Winters in Florida are very mild. You will hardly see snow and ice here. Night frost is possible in the northern part in the winter months. In general it is mild, sunny and very pleasant. Miami and the surrounding area have a lot of days with temperatures above 20 degrees and when it gets really cold, the daytime temperature drops to values of 10 to 15 degrees. It is not without reason that Florida is the winter destination for many Americans and the state is sometimes jokingly referred to as America’s retirement home. It is an ideal winter sun destination for Europeans.
Hurricanes
Almost all of Florida is at risk of being hit by hurricanes . Southern Florida and the east coast are the most affected by hurricanes and tropical storms. The hurricane season lasts from June to November and every year there are about 5 to 10 hurricanes throughout the Caribbean, which can sometimes have disastrous consequences. Because hurricanes announce themselves days in advance and the path the hurricane will follow is often reasonably predictable, measures can almost always be taken in time, from boarding up windows to evacuating residents and tourists if necessary.
Ideal destination for a tour
Florida is ideal for a tour. A tour of Florida offers the opportunity to discover multiple sides of this versatile state. Many Dutch and Belgian tourists start their tour through the Sunshine State, especially from Miami and Orlando. You can opt for complete freedom by means of a ‘fly & drive’, but you can also opt for a pre-determined route at TUI, which includes hotel stays and a reliable car from partner Alamo. Take a look at TUI’s Florida tours for yourself.
Climate figures
The figures below are based on long-term average climate statistics. The temperatures are displayed in degrees Celsius (°C).
| maximum temperature | minimum temperature | hours of sunshine per day | days of rainfall per month | water temperature | |
| January | 22℃ | 15℃ | 7 | 7 | 24℃ |
| February | 24℃ | 16℃ | 8 | 6 | 24℃ |
| March | 25℃ | 18℃ | 9 | 5 | 24℃ |
| April | 27℃ | 20℃ | 10 | 5 | 25℃ |
| May | 29℃ | 22℃ | 10 | 10 | 27℃ |
| June | 30℃ | 24℃ | 10 | 14 | 29℃ |
| July | 31℃ | 25℃ | 10 | 15 | 29℃ |
| August | 31℃ | 25℃ | 9 | 17 | 30℃ |
| September | 31℃ | 25℃ | 9 | 17 | 29℃ |
| October | 29℃ | 23℃ | 8 | 14 | 28℃ |
| November | 27℃ | 20℃ | 7 | 9 | 26℃ |
| December | 23℃ | 17℃ | 7 | 7 | 25℃ |
The climate of Boca Raton
Boca Raton is a small town on the Florida coast, between Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach. It is the home for Florida Atlantic University. Boca Raton has a calm character. With its endless beautiful sandy beaches and many footpaths you can walk and stroll for hours. The bon vivant will get his money’s worth in Boca Raton. There are many restaurants and bars in the area and Boca Raton has a large number of country clubs. You can hit a ball here on the green or just enjoy the conviviality and atmospheric environment. Because Boca Raton has an almost tropical climate, it is wonderfully warm for most of the year. Only the sudden rain showers put an end to this for a short time. These showers are intense, but of short duration.
The climate of Cape Canaveral
Cape Canaveral is best known for the Kennedy Space Center, from which space shuttles and rockets are launched. Anyone who follows space travel knows that launches regularly have to be postponed due to bad weather. Severe depressions sometimes cause a lot of rain and wind, which are not the most ideal conditions for a launch. The greatest chance that the flights will continue is in the period from November to April, when the weather is mainly sunny and dry.
Cape Canaveral has a subtropical climate, with associated humidity during the wet season. In contrast to some places where there is a really gray and wet rainy season, it is not that bad here. The days during the wetter periods still have an average of 8 to 9 hours of sunshine.
The climate of Clearwater
According to Countryaah, Clearwater is a tropical port city in Pinellas County, on the west coast of Florida. Wonderfully nestled in the shelter of the Gulf of Mexico, the temperature here is tropical. Due to the tropical savanna climate in this region, it is very dry and sunny in winter.
It is therefore a popular holiday resort. The city gets its name from the Native Americans who gave it the name “Pocotapaug”, which literally translated means clear water. The first settlers lived in this area because of the many freshwater springs on the coast. Clearwater’s beaches are well known for their beauty. The sand is beautifully white and you can swim in the clear water. Clearwater is an excellent holiday destination for soaking up the sun on a beautiful sandy beach.
The climate of Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach is a well-known Florida destination and also much loved by Americans themselves. First of all, of course, because of the famous DAYTONA 500. The race track and accompanying museum, where you can find everything about the history of car racing in the United States. This museum is a mecca for the motorcycle enthusiast. Everything about car races can be found here and to make the visit complete, races are regularly held here on the circuit.
However, unless you’re a teenager yourself, stay away from this city in March. Then Daytona Beach is completely taken over by the spring breakers. This tradition, where the American youth goes wild during the spring break, is celebrated with full dedication in Daytona. The city is of course also ideally suited for this. There are dozens of clubs and bars where you can go wild in the evening. The beach is very wide and there is a beautiful old promenade – excellent for watching and being watched. To make it even more beautiful, a part of the beach in Daytona has also been made suitable for driving by car. Totally ideal to view the city and the people from the beach. Due to the subtropical climate that prevails in Daytona Beach,
The climate of Everglades
The Everglades is a national park in southern Florida. Due to its special habitat, it is home to many endangered species and plants, such as the crocodile or Florida panther. The Everglades are a major tourist attraction in Florida. The Everglades owe their special landscape to the subtropical climate and the slow-flowing river that runs through the area. In summer the temperature is on average about 32 °C. The rainy season is from April to October. This – together with the large amount of moisture that escapes from the vegetation – creates a large expanse of wetland.
Those visiting the Everglades can visit the Ernest Coe Visitor Center or the Shark Valley Visitor Center. These two main entrances to the area each provide extensive information on biking and hiking trails, canoe trips and the opportunity to explore the Everglades by airboat. If you visit the Everglades during the rainy season, be aware of mosquitoes and other pests.
The climate of Fort Lauderdale
The city of Fort Lauderdale is located immediately north of Miami and has a subtropical climate with warm, fairly wet and clammy summers and mild drier winters. The pleasant climate means that the city, in which the daytime temperature rarely falls below 15 degrees, even in the winter months, is very popular among Americans as a winter sun and winter destination.
Most rain falls in the summer months and autumn, with tropical depressions in particular that are very active and can sometimes cause large amounts of rain within a short time.
Summers in Fort Lauderdale can be called warm. The high relative humidity means that it can feel stuffy. It can be oppressively hot in Fort Lauderdale, especially after a tropical rain shower. The official afternoon temperatures rise to about 30 degrees or slightly higher in the middle of summer. The perceived temperature is often a bit higher. The great thing about summer weather in Fort Lauderdale is that the sun shines in between the summer showers. The sun often breaks through after a rain shower, so that you quickly forget about the rain.
Hurricane season is from June to November. The entire Caribbean region, including Fort Lauderdale, could experience hurricanes, tropical storms and depressions. The chance that Miami Beach will be fully hit is less than it seems. On average, this happens once every few years and the damage mainly depends on the strength of the hurricane. There is a greater chance that you will be indirectly affected by hurricane activity in the vicinity in Fort Lauderdale. If a hurricane passes within a few hundred miles, you can also notice that in Fort Lauderdale in the form of clouds, rain and possibly a little more wind. Especially on the beaches it can occasionally be quite raging when there is a lot of storm activity.
The climate of Fort Myers
Fort Myers is located where the Caloosahatchee River flows into the Gulf of Mexico and is known as the Gateway to the Southwestern United States. The city has been a popular seaside resort for several decades. Both Thomas Edison and Henry Ford had their vacation homes here. The Boston Red Sox also use this city as their off-season training retreat. The beaches of Fort Myers are beautiful: beautiful fine, white sand and palm trees complete the picture.
Fort Myers has a subtropical climate. There is only significant rainfall for a few months of the year. The average temperature in summer is around 32°C and in winter around 24°C. Of the average 54 cm of precipitation per year, about 70% falls during the rainy season (June to September).
The climate of Jacksonville
Jacksonville is the largest city in Florida. The city was named after the city’s first Governor, General Andrew Jackson. Jacksonville belonged successively to the Indians, the French (their fortress can still be seen in the city) and the Spaniards, before joining the United States. In addition to some historical sites, you can also enjoy the 30 km long beach here.
The climate is – just like in the rest of Florida – subtropical. In summer, the country can get quite warm, sometimes reaching a maximum of 40 °C, with the result that huge thunderstorms can occur. Most rain falls in the summer. Winter temperatures seldom drop below freezing. Jacksonville only has a few nights where the temperature drops below freezing. Because Jacksonville is at the top of Florida, the city suffers less from hurricanes than other parts of Florida.
The climate of Key West
Key West is the southernmost city in the continental United States and has one of the most favorable climates in America for sun lovers. The atmosphere and the buildings here are also clearly different from other American cities. Relaxed, hippie-like and atmospheric is what people often write about this city.
Key West has a subtropical climate, with temperatures barely dropping below 13-14 degrees at night in winter; during the day it is pleasantly warm with an average of 22 to 26 degrees. The number of days with rain in winter can almost be counted on one hand, on average there are about 6 days with some precipitation per month. Also in terms of sunshine, Key West is a very pleasant destination. In the period from January to April there is not a single cloud in the sky on average on 40% of the days, about 40% of the days the sky is partly cloudy at least part of the day and about 20% of the days can be described as cloudy.
The month of April is the sunniest, with an average of 84% of the time sunny during the day. The darkest are the months of October, November and December, with an average of “only” seventy percent sunny weather.
Rain
There is a relatively dry period in Key West that runs from November through mid-May. In this period, with an average of about 50 mm of precipitation, the city is about 35 percent below the national average of about 75 mm per month. From mid-May, the chances of precipitation increase quite quickly and the amounts that can fall in the short term are also a lot larger. Mid-August to the end of September is clearly the wettest period, with about 150 to 180 millimeters of rain on a monthly basis. This makes Key West about twice as wet as the Netherlands in the same period.
Wind
The average wind speed is highest in the drier period (November to April). On average, the wind speed is then about 18 to 20 kilometers per hour. In the months of May to October, the average measured wind speed is slightly lower at 14 to 18 kilometers per hour. This is quite surprising, because the hurricane season runs from June to November. During this period, tropical depressions move over the Caribbean and there is a risk of hurricanes or tropical storms. The chance that Key West will be completely hit by a hurricane is not as great as it seems, but the weather is clearly influenced by storm activity in the immediate vicinity at least a few times a year.
Humidity
The average relative humidity is around 75% throughout the year, slightly higher in the morning and slightly lower in the afternoon. With this, Key West scores slightly higher than the rest of America, especially with the afternoon values. In the summer, in combination with high temperatures, it can feel stuffy.
The climate of Kissimmee
Kissimmee is centrally located in central Florida, on the shores of Lake Tohopekaliga. Kissimmee played a central role in the colonization of Florida in the early 1800s. All kinds of goods were transported via the lake to the tip of Florida, in order to be able to move further into the area. This function disappeared after the arrival of the railway. Today, the area owes its appeal in particular to the nearby theme parks, such as Disney World.
The climate makes a visit to these parks very pleasant. The temperature around Kissimmee rarely hits zero. The sun shines almost all year round, except for a few short heavy rain showers in the summer. The humidity can rise considerably around this period, which can sometimes be less pleasant. A quick rollercoaster ride can also cool you down.
The climate of Miami
Miami is America ‘s winter sun. The wonderful subtropical climate ensures warm winters full of sunshine and even warmer summers, with a cooling shower every now and then. It is not without reason that this metropolis has a Caribbean appearance and the beach attracts visitors all year round.
The winter months are the peak season for Miami. In the period from December to March there are many winter visitors in Miami and most events and fairs are held. The weather is sunny almost every day, with pleasant temperatures of about 20 to 25 degrees during the day. Even at night, the temperature rarely drops below ten degrees. When it is extremely cold, that means temperatures of ‘only’ 10 to 15 degrees for Miami during the day. This can occasionally happen, but the chance is quite small.
The chances of precipitation increase from May. Most precipitation falls in the form of showers, after which the sky quickly clears again and the sun can drive temperatures up to thirty degrees and more. In the event of a tropical depression crossing over, it can be wet and gray for several days in a row, with sometimes large amounts of rain falling in a short period of time. Another extreme are sunny days with temperatures that sometimes reach forty degrees. With a high relative humidity it feels warm and stuffy. From October/November it becomes less muggy, it cools slightly and the chances of precipitation decrease.
hurricane season
Hurricane season is from June to November. The entire Caribbean – including Miami – could then experience hurricanes, tropical storms and depressions. The chance that Miami will be fully hit is less than it seems. On average, this happens once every few years and the damage mainly depends on the strength of the hurricane. There is a greater chance that you will be indirectly affected by hurricane activity in the vicinity in Miami. If a hurricane passes within a few hundred miles, you can also notice that in Miami in the form of clouds, rain and possibly a little more wind.
The climate of Miami Beach
Miami Beach is often mistakenly seen as part of the city of Miami, but officially they are two separate cities, each with their own government. The wonderful subtropical climate ensures warm winters full of sunshine and even warmer summers with a cooling shower every now and then. It is not without reason that this metropolis has a Caribbean appearance and the beach attracts visitors all year round. Tourism seems to be mainly concentrated on South Beach, Ocean Drive and the Art Deco district, but the central and northern parts of Miami Beach have also grown in popularity in recent years, which is visible by the many new and renovated apartment complexes where many Americans have bought a condo as a second home.
The winter months are the peak season for Miami Beach. In the period from December to March there are many winter visitors in Miami and most events and fairs are held. It is sunny almost every day, with pleasant temperatures during the day of about 20 to 25 degrees. Even at night, the temperature rarely drops below ten degrees. When it is extremely cold, for Miami Beach that means temperatures of ‘only’ 10 to 15 degrees during the day. This can occasionally happen, but the chance is quite small.
The chances of precipitation increase from May. Most precipitation falls in the form of showers, after which the sky quickly clears again and the sun can drive temperatures up to thirty degrees and more. In case a tropical depression hits. it can be wet and gray for several days in a row, with sometimes large amounts of rain falling in a short time. Another extreme are sunny days, with temperatures that sometimes rise to as much as forty degrees. With a high relative humidity it feels warm and stuffy. From October/November it becomes less muggy, it cools slightly and the chances of precipitation decrease.
Hurricane season is from June to November. The entire Caribbean, including Miami, could experience hurricanes, tropical storms and depressions. The chance that Miami Beach will be fully hit is less than it seems. On average, this happens once every few years and the damage mainly depends on the strength of the hurricane. There is a greater chance that you will be indirectly affected by hurricane activity in the vicinity in Miami Beach. If a hurricane passes within a few hundred miles, you can also notice that in Miami in the form of clouds, rain and possibly a little more wind. Especially on the beaches, it can occasionally rage when there is a lot of storm activity.
The climate of Naples
Naples is located on the west coast of Florida, on the Gulf of Mexico. The city is located on the edge of the Everglades and is therefore a great base to visit this nature reserve. This part of the coast, together with Marco Island, located off the coast, is also called Paradise Coast. About 80% of the area is protected as a national park. Along the entire coast you will find snow-white beaches and an azure blue sea. The beaches range from busy – with many facilities such as restaurants and bars – to deserted and quiet, ideal for long romantic beach walks.
The weather in Naples lends itself perfectly to it. Due to the sheltered location on the Gulf of Mexico, it is always pleasantly warm. Freezing cold and snow are hardly known here. In summer it is generally a lot more humid. This can sometimes result in heavy rain showers. However, these are never of long duration.
The climate of Orlando
The city of Orlando is centrally located in the US state of Florida and is best known for the large amusement parks Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Studios and SeaWorld, which attract millions of visitors every year. The main reason for establishing these mega theme parks here will undoubtedly be the very pleasant subtropical climate and the presence of a large number of tourists within a few hours drive. The city of Orlando itself is nothing special.
Orlando has a clearly drier period and a wetter period. In the wet period, which runs from the end of May to the beginning of October, reasonable amounts of rain fall, usually in the form of heavy showers, after which the skies often clear up quickly. The high temperatures during the day in combination with rain can make it feel muggy in the summer months.
Because Orlando is inland, the differences between daytime and nighttime temperatures are greater than on the coast. In the winter months, temperatures of a few degrees above freezing at night are possible, but it hardly ever comes to winter conditions. Frost and snow are a rarity in Orlando.
The most pleasant time to visit Orlando is spring. It is then pleasantly warm and it hardly rains. However, it is also (partly) high season, which is noticeable in the crowds and the prices of hotel rooms and rental cars. Booking in time and keeping an eye out for offers make a stay somewhat affordable during this period.
The climate of Palm Beach
Palm Beach is a town on an island close to the east coast of Florida. The area actually sits on a long sandbar and is separated from the rest of the Florida coast by the Intracoastal Waterway. The city is a real luxury resort for the wealthy among us. The Mediterranean architecture almost makes you believe that you are somewhere on the Côte d’Azur. Palm Beach has a very luxurious marina and the coast is filled with beautiful resorts and hotels.
The warm water supplied from the south ensures a pleasant temperature all year round. The sea breeze can smooth out the high temperatures in the summer. In the dry season in winter, the temperature can sometimes drop a bit lower. It will then be 10 °C for a few days. The temperature rarely gets much lower than that. Due to the high temperatures from the sea, there is a risk of hurricanes. Hurricane season usually lasts from June to November. Palm Beach has been directly hit by hurricanes ten times in the last 100 years.
The climate of Panama City
Panama City is located in the northeast of Florida and therefore has a slightly different climate than the rest of Florida. Although nestled in a bay, it is slightly less warm than in southern Florida. The best months to visit Panama City are from December to March. Note: Panama City is also a popular spring break destination in March and April, so you run the risk of getting caught up in hordes of partying youngsters.
The average temperature is around 30°C all year round. however, it can be about 10 °C colder at night. The humidity in this area is very high, about 80% on average. The air often feels clammy. Panama City has beautiful white sand beaches and wonderfully clear water – ideal for a lazy beach holiday or to participate in the many water sports that you can practice here.
The climate of Pensacola
Pensacola is located in the far northwest of Florida. The city is located on Pascambia Bay and is an important Naval Air Station (naval aviation training center). Due to its location in the “armpit” of Florida, also known as the Panhandle, Pensacola is extra vulnerable to hurricanes. The city has been hit by hurricanes three times in the last ten years.
The weather in Pensacola is subtropical, with high temperatures in the summer and mild winters. In the summer months, the thermometer can regularly reach 40 °C, resulting in heavy thunderstorms in the evenings. Most rain falls in the summer. From November to March the temperature drops and the pleasant winter begins. Winters in Pensacola have an average temperature of around 25°C. The lowest temperature ever in winter was recorded in 1985, when it was about -15 °C, highly exceptional for this region. The last time the temperature dropped below freezing was in 2004.
The climate of Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg is located on the Gulf of Mexico, in the Tampa Bay. The wonderful climate makes it a very popular holiday destination for Europeans, but also North Americans and elderly residents of the United States visit this city to spend their vacation or old age. Not surprising, of course, with an average annual temperature of 27 °C. In summer, record temperatures can be measured as high as 37 °C. Like the rest of Florida, Saint Petersburg also suffers from tropical storms and hurricanes. The last time a hurricane really hit Saint Petersburg directly was in 1921. Saint Petersburg has more to offer than just nice weather and beautiful beaches. The city is home to many museums and interesting sights, such as the Dalí Museum.
The climate of Sanibel & Captiva
The islands of Sanibel and Captiva lie off the city of Fort Myers on the Gulf of Mexico, Florida’s famed west coast, with beautiful white sand beaches and rippling clear seas. The main attraction of both islands are these beaches, which are dotted with the most beautiful shells. As a result, you also see a wide variety of birds, which come to the meat in the washed up shells. You can see plenty of dolphins swimming in the wild around Sanibel. Anyone who wants to spot dolphins in their natural environment has a reasonable chance of success.
The climate of Sanibel and Captiva often allows for beautiful skies to take pictures of the white beaches with green vegetation along the edges. The sky is often a deep blue, with bright clouds providing a fantastic contrast. In the winter months, the chance of days without precipitation and even without a cloud in the sky is greatest. The closer you get to the warmer summer months, the greater the chance that it will be partly cloudy and you will have to deal with a sometimes heavy rain or thunderstorm. Being on the sunniest side of Florida, this is less likely than in the southeast, where you’ll find places like Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Depression is less likely to reach the beach resorts and islands along the Gulf Coast.
The climate of Sarasota
Located on the Gulf of Mexico, Sarasota is an excellent base from which to discover the various highlights of this region. You can easily reach downtown Sarasota from this place, but Palm Beach Island is also just a few miles away. In short, an ideal base for a holiday in Florida. Sarasota is especially crowded in the winter months. This is the best time of year to visit this region.
The weather is wonderful and the rainy and hurricane season only starts in the summer. The average temperature in Sarasota in winter is around 25°C. Although lower temperatures do occur, they are not very likely. In the summer months the weather is slightly less suitable. Due to the very hot days, the air pressure can build up enormously and lead to heavy thunderstorms. Also, the humidity is very high, so it can sometimes feel quite clammy.
The climate of South Beach
South Beach is the beach of Miami Beach. Here you will find the beautiful women, trendy restaurants and expensive cars. South Beach has a subtropical climate, with fairly warm winters with relatively little precipitation. The summer months are a lot hotter, wetter and more stuffy, with temperatures of 30 degrees and higher until well into the evening providing sultry atmospheres along Ocean Drive.
If you want a mix of warm weather with a fairly high sun security, but don’t want to pay the top price for accommodations, it’s best to go on holiday to South Beach in April, early May or late October. In the summer months, in addition to a reasonable chance of sometimes heavy rain and thunderstorms, there is also a chance of tropical storms and hurricanes. On average, South Beach is hit by a hurricane several times a decade, with a few causing considerable damage despite the precautions. There is no need to fear these natural phenomena, because hurricanes – unlike earthquakes, tsunamis and tornadoes – can be predicted well and if necessary residents and tourists are evacuated in time.
The climate of Tallahassee
Tallahassee is located in northeastern Florida. The city is located on the edge of Apalachicola National Forest, the largest forest area in the state of Florida. The national park owes its existence to a number of natural springs that provide water to many streams and rivers that crisscross the area.
Tallahassee has a distinct subdivision of the seasons. Summers are subtropical warm. Due to the rapid global warming, thunderstorms occur regularly. Hurricanes are no stranger to this region either. About once every seventeen years a hurricane blows over. Winter is fairly mild, with some days below freezing. The wind can blow hard in winter, which lowers the perceived temperature by a few degrees. On average, Tallahassee’s climate, like the rest of Florida, is fairly mild.
The climate of Tampa
Tampa is located on the Gulf of Mexico in Tampa Bay. It is the largest city in the Tampa Bay Area, which also includes Saint Petersburg and Clearwater. The city has four airports, a train station and a large seaport, making it the transport center of the region. Furthermore, the city itself is not very special.
Tampa has a subtropical climate. It is exactly on the so-called “palm tree border”: the border from which palm trees grow and can bear fruit. Summers in Tampa have an average temperature of 28 °C. Due to the interaction of air currents over the Gulf of Mexico and air currents over the Atlantic Ocean, Tampa is prone to thunderstorms, especially from May through October. This happens so often that a large proportion of those injured by lightning each year come from the Tampa Bay Area. In winter it can freeze for a few days, but this certainly does not happen every year. Snow falls very rarely.
