Guide to Florida’s Climate and Weather Patterns

You can almost always tip your hat to the end of another perfect day in Florida. The climate has always been Florida’s most important natural resource, which is reflected in its official nickname, the “Sunshine State.”

Summers throughout the state are long, very warm, and fairly humid; daily thunderstorms are the norm. Winters are mild with periodic invasions of cool to occasionally cold air. Coastal areas in all sections of Florida average slightly warmer temperatures in winter and cooler ones in summer.

The primary factors affecting the state’s climate are latitude and numerous inland lakes. Moreover, proximity to the currents of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico plays an important role.

1. Average Annual Temperatures

Although southern Florida is 400 miles closer to the tropics than northern Florida, it doesn’t feel like it because of the prevailing sea breeze. Southern Florida is one of the warmest places on the United States mainland in winter.

Summers are often hot, but the high temperatures are tempered by frequent afternoon or early evening thunderstorms. Thunderstorms occur, on average, about half of the summer days. Consequently, these thunderstorms can trigger a rapid drop of 10 to 20 degrees in temperature, resulting in more comfortable weather for the remainder of the day.

The highest recorded temperature was 109 degrees at Monticello, in Florida’s Panhandle, on June 29, 1931. The lowest recorded temperature was 2 degrees below zero in Tallahassee on February 13, 1899.

2. Heat Index

In Florida, more people die from excessive heat than from lightning. The human body temperature rises dangerously when hot days combine with high relative humidity because perspiration cannot evaporate and cool the body.

Elderly persons, small children, or individuals on certain medications, overweight persons, or those with alcohol habits are particularly vulnerable to heat stress.

Florida’s humid climate is attributed to the fact that no point in the state is more than 60 miles from saltwater, and no more than 345 feet above sea level. Humidity is the degree of wetness or dryness of the air and is measured by a percentage ratio called “relative humidity.” Therefore, the warmer the air becomes, the more moisture it can hold; thus, a person can feel the humidity more acutely on a warm day with 80 percent humidity than on a cold day with the same humidity.

This heat index chart above will assist you in determining how hot the weather feels on any given day. The chart combines Fahrenheit air temperature and relative humidity.

3. Average Annual Rainfall

The state’s rainfall varies in annual amounts, seasonal distribution, and location. Areas of high annual rainfall are situated in the extreme northwestern counties and in the southeastern end of the peninsula. Some localities may receive as much as 100 inches in a calendar year, while most can expect less than 40 inches during a calendar year.

There are two wet periods—late winter or early spring and again during the summer—while there is only one low point—October through November.

During any given day in the summer “rainy season,” there is nearly a 50-50 chance that some rain will fall. Conversely, the chances are significantly reduced during the remainder of the year, likely only resulting in rainfall for one or two days a week.

Moreover, localities may experience prolonged rainfalls in excess of three inches, with 24-hour amounts nearing or exceeding 10 inches. Most often, this occurs in association with tropical disturbances or hurricanes.

If you’re looking for regions within Florida with the least rainfall, try the Florida Keys and interior areas of Lee County along Florida’s southwestern coast.

4. Thunderstorms, Lightning, and Tornadoes

Florida is often referred to as the thunderstorm capital of the United States. The “lightning belt” in Florida encompasses an area from between Orlando and Tampa, extending south along the west coast to Fort Myers and eastward to Lake Okeechobee.

Thunderstorms typically form due to hot, moist air close to the ground, combined with an unstable atmosphere. Often, these resulting thunderstorms occur during the afternoons—particularly from June through September—and can last from a few minutes to a couple of hours but seldom longer.

Moreover, Florida’s lightning frequently packs a stronger charge than average—more than 45,000 amperes. Some researchers believe that Florida lightning is particularly intense because of the tall, more highly charged storm cloud formations. Lightning poses significant danger; consequently, it is the leading cause of weather-related fatalities in the state.

• The months of April and May, alongside the summer months, are peak periods for tornadoes in Florida. Although tornadoes can occasionally surpass hurricanes in destructive force, fortunately, many of Florida’s tornadoes are less severe, resembling waterspout-type storms. The more powerful tornadoes primarily occur in the Florida Panhandle during February and March.
• Tornados are more commonly witnessed in humid conditions when large thunderstorms are brewing. Often, rain, hail, and flashes of lightning may precede a tornado.

5. Hurricane Information and Safety

Hurricanes are violent tropical storms characterized by sustained winds of at least 74 mph. They typically form over warm ocean waters, often starting as storms in the Caribbean or off the west coast of Africa. As these storms drift slowly westward, they are fueled by the warm waters of the tropics. Warm, moist air moves toward the center of the storm, spiraling upward and releasing torrential rains. This cycle of storm strengthening can continue until the storm makes landfall or encounters cooler water.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. For Floridians, there are several steps to prepare for a hurricane effectively.

• Prepare by making a plan.
• Stash some cash for emergencies.
• Ready your yard and secure any loose items.
• Find a safe place to stay if needed.
• Designate a contact person for your family.
• Make arrangements for your pets.
• Gather important documents and keep them safe.
• Stock up on food and essentials.
• Ensure you have necessary items for infants and the elderly.
• Don’t forget to gas up your vehicles!

While planning a vacation in Florida, it’s essential to stay informed about hurricane season. Follow helpful tips to minimize the impact of any storms that may arise.

Once you’ve completed your preparations—like making a plan and outfitting your disaster kit—know what to do when a hurricane approaches. Here are some basic safety tips on what to do during and after a hurricane.