Summer in Florida
During the summer, the humidity level reaches its climax (up to 100%). Coupled with temperatures often exceeding 32°C, the sensation can be suffocating. To overcome the heat, there is nothing like a shopping session: all the stores are air-conditioned, and not just a little! So be careful not to shiver and risk catching a cold. The end of summer afternoons are often accompanied by heavy rain and thunderstorms, usually of short duration.
Wet season means mosquitoes. Fortunately, their presence is localized. They are concentrated in swamps like the Everglades or in national parks, very rarely on beaches and in cities. So bring a repellent if you plan to visit the alligators!
Summer in Florida is not necessarily an ideal season, but this does not mean that you should not go in summer! You just have to keep in mind these possible inconveniences and plan for the right clothes and activities. Summer is even the cheapest season. It can also be the occasion to celebrate the national holiday, the 4th of July, in great style. It celebrates American independence dating back to 1776.
Winter in Florida
In winter, the temperature is warm in the south with an average of 25 °C. However, it can be 10°C in some areas such as North and Central Florida (especially around Orlando). In this case, bring a sweater for the morning and evening, the sun's rays will warm you up during the day. In very rare circumstances, snow can occur in the extreme north of the state, such as in the Florida capital Tallahassee.
Fall in Florida
Arrived in autumn, the hurricane season is globally over, humidity and precipitations can still be present but are getting rarer day by day. The temperatures are pleasant and the vegetation is decked out in beautiful colors. It's Thanksgiving season, a tradition not to be missed if you are around on November 24th.
Spring in Florida
Spring is undoubtedly the best season to visit Florida, especially in April and May. The sun is shining, the heat is present without humidity (between 19°C and 24°C on average), the vegetation is in full bloom, the sea is good, the risks of rain are very low... All these advantages have a price: spring is the most expensive season.
Swimming
This is probably one of the first questions you ask yourself when planning your trip to Florida: will I be able to swim and enjoy the white sand beaches? The answer is yes, almost all year round! It all depends on your degree of chilliness, and on the place where you are. The sea is indeed warmer in the south and east of Florida, cooler in the west and north. In Miami, the water temperature varies on average between 21°C (January/February) and 31°C (July/August).
Most hotels in Florida have indoor or outdoor pools, even the most affordable motels. If they are not systematically heated, they are a pleasant way to relax at the end of the day without leaving your accommodation.
Between snowbirds and springbreakers
Between November and March, Florida sees a flood of snowbirds, Canadians and Quebecers fleeing the intense winter to enjoy the Florida sun. There are about 900,000 of them each year (mostly retirees) who settle for a few months in the Sunshine State, especially in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach and Tampa.
Florida in springtime becomes the favorite destination of another type of visitors, more festive: the springbreakers, students coming from all over the country. Each American university offers a spring break between the end of February and mid-April. During this period, the bars, especially those in Miami, are always full and the party is in full swing all day long. This is something to keep in mind if you plan to stay near Ocean Drive. You can find the spring break dates of the main American universities on the ststravel.com website
Hurricanes
While the hurricane season in Florida runs from June to November, they are most likely to occur between August and October. Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and Hurricane Irma in 2017, which was particularly destructive in the Keys, are notably remembered. More recently, in September 2022, Hurricane Ian hit the west coast of Florida. More than 100 people lost their lives and the cities of Naples and Fort Myers suffered particularly badly.
Such phenomena are fortunately rare, and there is a national alert system to warn in case of danger.
Floods are also common and should not be taken lightly.
Climate change impacts in Florida
One of the main concerns in Florida is the increase in water levels due to global warming. Many hotels and buildings are indeed built along the beaches, especially in Miami. The city is particularly threatened by this phenomenon, since it is built on an ancient marsh, close to the water level. It is estimated that in 40 years, the sea level has increased by 20 centimeters in South Florida. This rise could continue in the coming years and reach 60 centimeters by mid-century. In addition to the damage and hazards to coastal buildings and their inhabitants, this phenomenon would worsen the effects of storms and increase the risk of flooding tenfold.
