Coping with Florida Weather: How to Deal with Heat, Humidity and Hurricanes

South Florida is obviously known for typical tourism fare -- beaches, shopping districts, night life and ... beaches. But South Florida, even though it can be a very lovely stop on your vacation, also has the potential of being fiercely hot. The phrase "hot as Hell" is, frankly, an understatement. How can you even think of realms beyond this planet in scorching 95-degree weather?

Phrases aside, there are ways you can stay cool during your stay in Florida. This applies to everyone who stops by the Sunshine State, so get your pencils (or printers) ready!

1. Stay hydrated. You've probably heard this from your physician, but it's definitely an important tip. Drink plenty of water throughout the day and keep a bottle with you at all times. Not only do you stay hydrated when you visit different tourist attractions (say, Miami Seaquarium), but you also save a lot of cash by packing your own water. Many fun spots charge up to $5 for a bottle of water! Keep one bottle (and heck, if you really want the collector's souvenir cup, get it) but refill it using water fountains found throughout the attraction.

A Cool Tip: Want a bottle of good ol' H2O to be really cold? Pop in the freezer the night before and you'll have one huge ice cube that will slowly melt, giving you chilled water. (Of course, you have to wait until the ice melts before you can drink much.) Also, if you're traveling, keep your water in a cooler with ice. Everyone would rather slightly cool water than possibly lukewarm agua from a water fountain.

2. Dress with the sun in mind. Miamians and other South Floridians wear light clothes for a reason! Wear shorts and loose shirts and brighter colors (no Hawaiian prints, please). If your glasses do not have transitional lenses (those cool pieces of glass that grow darker as the day gets brighter), invest in a pair of cheap sunglasses that you can easily snag at a local drugstore. Throw in some sandals or a pair of Crocs and you'll be in Comfort City.

A Cool Tip: Even if you tan well under the Miami sun, always wear sunscreen that has an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of at least 30. According to a sunblock guide written up by the University of California, San Francisco, spray and gel lotions are the least oily products, but they need to be reapplied more often.

3. Enjoy the sights, but go light. Even though there's a lot to do around South Florida, don't overdo your visits. Exhaustion is the least you need when you're constantly exposed to the sun. Take breaks and plan your itineraries accordingly. Vary between the days -- outdoorsy (and potentially muggy) adventures one day, indoor (air-conditioned) specials the next. Also, don't overload on food when you're out. If you're stuffed to the gills with tamales or churrasco, you'll have less energy to get through the day.

A Cool Tip: Don't stick to your tourism pamphlets that you can get anywhere; ask the locals what's happening in the area. Chances are, there are plays to be seen at nearby theatres (like the Actor's Playhouse on Miracle Mile in Coral Gables) or even festivals to attend (like Calle Ocho).

Any resident can tell you that residing in the Sunshine State is not always fun during the summer months. Hurricane season, which is tagged from June 1 to November 30, can leave Floridians (and unlucky visitors) stressed, stranded or worse. Hurricanes are deadly storm systems that bring heavy rain and fierce winds, causing up to billions of dollars in damage. What can be done to prevent such damage? Well, if your home is not well protected (storm-proof windows, shutters and the like), there may not be much you can do depending on your location. But there's always a few things that can be done to prepare for these storms.

1. Stock up early. After seeing a couple of storms in my lifetime (including the deadly and expensive Hurricane Andrew, although I was five years old), I know that supplies are imperative to the Floridian during hurricane season. Dry goods, batteries and even water can become ridiculously scarce when a hurricane is about to arrive, even if the storm is a mere category 1. Trust me: I've seen plenty of Publixes and Winn-Dixies emptied out of precious good like bread and canned tuna days before a storm hits (or misses). Buy your supplies early, keeping in mind expiration dates.

One More Thing: Don't forget your pets. Make sure you buy plenty of dry kibble for Fido or Fluffy.

2. Be informed. If you've lived in Florida all of your life, chances are you're pretty good friends with your local weatherman on CBS 4 or Channel 7. Watch the news and stay updated on storm developments. If you get the freshest information, you're already one step ahead of the storm. Go beyond your television and radio by visiting the National Hurricane Center Web site, which carries charts, diagrams and projected paths of newly-formed hurricanes.

One More Thing: Everything is best in moderation. It's very easy to stress out about impending storms, but do yourself a favor and take breaks from news outlets and reports. You need all the sanity you can get before a hurricane hits.

3. Take it seriously. I will admit that I've had "hurricane parties" with my family when thunderclouds and rain passed over the city. I considered tropical depressions and storms to be not only opportunities to catch up on reading and homework, but fun times. I was used to it, like any other Floridian down the block. When a category 1 was off the coast of Florida, I merely scoffed. A lot can happen in 48 hours; such a short amount of time can transform a hurricane from a category 2 to a category 4. Even though a hurricane may seem minor, it can always change. The point is, prepare for the worst. Really: it's better to be safe than sorry.

One More Thing: Get involved with your neighbors when a hurricane is coming. Ask what's going on with local stores (such as likely swamped Home Depots). By building community with others (who are in the exact same boat as you are), you'll definitely be more prepared than you would be alone.

Florida is a two-sided coin. As long as you know that there may be trouble around the corner, it's okay to have fun. Enjoy the sun and the beach, but make sure you know when playtime is over.