Florida, also known as The Sunshine State, is famous for its tropical climate, beautiful beaches, and sizzling hot temperatures. Year-round you can come here to get your sun-fix at the warmest places in Florida, perfect for a winter escape. South Florida, away from the mountains and heading towards the Gulf of Mexico, is one of the hottest places in North America.
January is Florida’s coldest month but you can still expect average highs of 74°. The water temperatures get warmer and warmer the further south you go, stick to the Gulf Coast of Florida for the warmest swimming.
The sizzling sun of Florida is popular for Spring Break fun and balmy summer vacay’s! But what are the warmest places in Florida? Here are the nine hottest cities in Florida sure to cure winter blues and are perfect for recharging body and soul.
Tampa
What’s the year-round average temperature in Tampa? 73.35 °F
Tampa is one of the hottest cities in Florida for holidaymakers to flock to. From Anna Maria Island to the sands of St. Pete, the lure of the beautiful beaches and warm weather is simply irresistible. Tampa is on the west coast of the Florida peninsula with the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico lapping the beaches. Thanks to the Gulf, Tampa has some of the warmest water in Florida with the water temperature rarely going below 67 ºF.
The summer sun is hot and stifling in Tampa. From May to September, high temperatures range between 87 ºF and 90 ºF. Tampa’s highest record has never reached the 100 ºF mark, the city’s all-time record temperature is 99 °F. However, nearby St. Petersburg record high has reached 100ºF exactly.
The city of Tampa lies on a smaller peninsula that juts out into Tampa Bay which is fed by the Gulf of Mexico. The close proximity to this amount of water surrounding the city introduces high levels of humidity. High humidity makes the heat oppressive and increases the chance of thunderstorms, typically in the afternoons.
Orlando
What’s the year-round average temperature in Orlando? 73.35 °F
Orlando Florida is home to 12 world-famous theme parks, including Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. It is often said the weather in Orlando can be divided into two seasons – hot and hotter! As one of the warmest places in Florida, it is wise to plan your trip to the theme parks to avoid the extreme heat.
The hottest weather in Orlando is from mid-June to mid-September. The temperatures average at a high of 82 °F in August, while the nighttime lows rarely drop below 72 °F. Again, volatile thunderstorms are common in the afternoons after a whole day of pressure build-up. However, these storms are often a welcome relief to the locals.
Being close to the Atlantic coast, Orlando is at risk of the Floridian hurricane season through the summer months. Generally, these hurricanes tend to turn south and miss Orlando. But it is still necessary to keep an ear on local news, just in case.
West Palm Beach
What’s the year-round average temperature in West Palm Beach? 75.35 °F
Located in the Southeast of Florida and sitting just above Miami is one of the most popular beaches and warmest cities in Florida. The overall average high temperature is a balmy 83 ºF, while the average nightly lows are still a warm 67 ºF. If you are heading here for a vacation, remember to pack your shorts and sandals because you are going to need them!
The “hot season” in West Palm Beach begins in early June and runs through to the end of September. Temperatures are consistently hot along with high humidity and the risk of thunderstorms. As well as being one of the hottest months, June is also the wettest month for West Palm Beach.
West Palm Beach’s highest recorded temperature is a sweltering 101 ºF in July 1942. This extremely rare temperature is even hotter than the average of Texas in the summer!
Jacksonville
What’s the year-round average temperature in Jacksonville Beach? 78.1 °F
Jacksonville is a coastal city in North Florida just above Daytona Beach, the popular Spring Break destination, almost on the Florida-Georgia state line. It is one of the hottest cities in Florida with the highest temperature measured reaching a sweltering 105 ºF (that is 40.6 Celsius) on June 19, 1998; July 11, 1879, and July 28, 1872. More recently, May 27 2019, got up to 101 ºF, which is still darn hot in our opinion!
Being on the Atlantic ocean, Jacksonville has a preferable swimming season from April to November. Tourists generally choose to visit Jacksonville on either side of the hot summer for warm-weather activities; late March to late May and from early October to mid-November have pleasant temperatures.
Jacksonville Beach is one of the warmest beaches in the country. Even in the winter months, the average American would find the morning temperatures mild. Due to the year-round warmth, Jacksonville is a great place to hit the beach for water sports, play a round of golf, or head to the tennis courts almost any time of the year.
Gainesville
What’s the year-round average temperature in Gainesville? 68.7 °F
Located in Central Florida, Gainesville’s hot season is relentless without a coastal breeze. The stifling temperatures frequently exceed 90 ºF through May to September. Due to the extreme heat in the summer, many of the students and locals head to the Florida beaches. This means the city is quiet with plenty of parking and fewer queues at the bars!
These hot months in Gainesville are often described as muggy and buggy – even the football stadium is affectionately nicknamed ‘The Swamp’. These are the general conditions for Central Florida, continuing down into the Southwest and the Everglades, deep into alligator territory.
While Gainesville’s temperatures are not as hot as other cities in Florida on average, the still air makes it feel a whole lot hotter!
Tallahassee
What’s the year-round average temperature in Tallahassee? 67.6 °F
Tallahassee is the Sunshine State capital situated in the northwest region near the Georgia state line. The climate is typical subtropical with mild winters and super hot, humid summers. The average temperatures in the warmer months sit at a consistent 83 °F. June through to August is the hottest season for Tallahassee.
Even though there is a breeze from the coast that is 40km away, the summer months are muggy and oppressive. The high humidity creates extreme heat that is sweltering. The record high is a whopping 105 °F (40.5 °C), recorded in June 2011. According to research, there are 91 days per year with temperatures 90+ ºF in Tallahassee – that is almost 25% of the year!
Spring and Fall are the most pleasant seasons to visit Tallahassee. You can still have the warmth of the sun, without it being overwhelming, and there is far less rainfall than the humid summer.
Fort Myers
What’s the year-round average temperature in Fort Myers? 75.1 °F
Fort Myers is the warmest city in Florida with summer temperatures averaging around 85°F. This southwestern city is blessed with endless warmth and countless days of sunshine. However, with every blessing comes a curse. The Atlantic hurricane season rips through Fort Myers from June 1 through November 30.
The highest recorded temperature in Fort Myers was a sizzling 103 ºF. Amazingly, Fort Myers can experience extreme cold weather as well. The lowest recorded temperature was a very chilly 26 ºF – that is a bone-chilling -3.3 ºC for anyone over the pond!
From mid-March, temperatures in Fort Myers consistently rise, increasing from 80 ºF to 92 ºF within a matter of weeks. As with most of subtropical Florida, the summer months are also the rainy season. Keep a watchful eye on the changing weather when enjoying the beaches.
Miami
What’s the year-round average temperature in Miami? 77.05 °F
In 2020, records were broken in Miami Florida. The famous city saw two weeks with temperatures rising around 90°F, averaging around 88°F, breaking the previous heat record that dated back to 1895. This climate data is quite surprising as Miami is not often considered Florida’s hottest or sunniest city. Reasons behind the unusual weather were due to desert dust blowing into the area, mixed with other existing weather conditions.
The summer in Miami is long and sultry. Days upon days can be passed on the hot white sand on one of America’s best beaches. Miami Beach is popular for water activities thanks to the warm waters to complement the hot air temperatures. Even in the winter, the ocean does not drop below 75 ºF (24 ºC) making it the perfect place for outdoor life all year-round.
As with other warm cities in Florida, Miami can get extremely humid. The muggy conditions get worse as you move further inland, especially heading towards the Everglades which are not too far away.
Key West
What’s the year-round average temperature in Key West? 77.8 °F
Last but not least, the southernmost point of Florida is bound to be one of the hottest places in the Sunshine State. The Florida Keys are a chain of islands stretching into the Gulf of Mexico on the same latitude as the Bahamas. This tropical corner of Florida provides all the expectations with its tropical climate.
The climate is typically hot and humid pretty much all of July through to September, with variations in June and October. Key West can feel a little cooler than other places in Florida because of the welcomed island breeze.
Key West’s winter temperatures maintain at around 75-80 ºF, while the summer reaches 88-90 ºF. The highest recorded temperature in the Florida Keys is 95 ºF on September 20, 2018, September 3, 2007, July 23, 1951, and August 21, 1950. The waters around these islands are temperate year-round, meaning the Florida Keys are perfect for paddle boarding!
Why Is Florida So Hot?
Florida’s year-round warmth can be attributed to a few factors:
- the geographical location;
- the waters surrounding it;
- and, high humidity levels.
The Sunshine State lies close to the equator and so has a sub-tropical climate somewhat similar to the Caribbean and nearby islands. The exotic Bahamas is only 50 miles away from South Florida and you can see plenty of similarities, from the beaches to the warm climate.
Florida is a peninsula made up of almost 75% coastline. The Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Florida Straits take in a lot of the sun’s heat, which in turn is passed on to the land and humidity levels. High humidity makes the air feel closer and causes temperatures to rise.
Where is the warmest place in Florida?
Fort Myers is the warmest city in Florida, closely followed by Miami. Average summer temperatures are around the 85°F mark with some days often exceeding 90+ ºF. These southern cities get all the heat of the tropical climate along with an ocean breeze.
What is the warmest place in Florida year round?
The Florida Keys is the warmest place in Florida year-round. This chain of islands is surrounded by shallow tropical waters, and the climate is comparable to the Caribbean. Other southern cities in Florida are considered warm all year. North Florida temperatures fluctuate more in the winter months.
Is it warm enough to swim in Florida in December?
The waters around South Florida are suitable for swimming year-round. Miami Beach boasts warm waters throughout winter with temperatures staying above 75 ºF (24 ºC) in December and January. Therefore, this coastline of Florida is perfect for water sports and endless beach fun in the sun.
