Florida Travel Advice for Vacationing in the Winter Months

For some Northerners, they already have "first hand experience" visiting Florida during the winter and know what to expect. For all the new Northerners visiting Florida for the first time this year, staying up to date with Florida's winter will make your trip more enjoyable.

If you are visiting for the first time to Florida during the winter seasons, which are usually October through February, there is a change in the climate. Florida's beaches are affected by the winter months, specifically the water temperature. During Florida's winter months the water dips into the 60's or at times even cooler. As a Florida resident, as soon as Florida's water temperature dips below 80 degree's, for me, it is too cold to swim in. As a Northerner you might be brave enough to test the waters, but if you bring your children, they might not be as brave. One wouldn't think that less than 80 degrees is cold, well that is just starting to get chilly, and when the water temperature gets in the 70's I can assure anyone would take their time, inching into the waters if they are determined to swim at the beach.

Florida's winter can also require a jacket. Yes, a jacket. Do not leave home with out one. The best way to dress in Florida during winter months is to have a jacket and light layers underneath. During the morning times it can be especially cold but closer to the noon hours it can warm up considerably. It is always good to wear something a little cooler underneath your jacket so you can relieve yourself of the heat in the afternoons. Not all afternoons in Florida will be hot during the winter, sometimes the highs only reach mid 50's. The wind can be pretty piercing when it is wintertime in Florida. So prepare yourself with your wardrobe. Florida's winters do not always call for shorts and a T-shirt.

There also can be bad storms in the area, especially along the coastlines. I live near Tampa bay so we experience a good brunt of storms, everyday almost. During the winter's months in Florida, the Jet Stream dips down with cooler weather and the warm sea breeze from the oceans collides with it and causes thunderstorms. Also pack an umbrella when you plan on visiting Florida anytime of the year.

Other than the beach forecast and thunderstorms affecting our winter months in Florida, it can be a gorgeous, comfortable area to visit during the winter. Especially in February through April, the skies are very blue and you can still feel the cool wind during a nice sunny day, so the humidity is rather low. These are the nice days to be outside enjoying all the other attractions Florida has to offer besides the beaches, such as camping, fishing, local outside events, and the many theme parks to choose from. Welcome to Florida!