Fort Lauderdale Weather in December

South Florida closes the year with lots of sunshine!

Although historically one of the 'coolest' months of the year, Fort Lauderdale weather in December is still very pleasant. An occasional cold front can bring some very cool air down from the north but that rarely lasts more than a couple of days.

December can be a magical time in South Florida. Some years it's fabulous while others not so good. We remember back in the 90s coming down around Xmas and it was warmer up north than in Fort Lauderdale. Thankfully that was an exceptional year.

Although winter 2025 ( December through February) is predicted to be slightly warmer , one never knows. The occasional little cold spells, especially in December which we expect to last only a few days can, in some years, last much longer. And with all the changes in weather these days who knows?

With that in mind, there is some good news. Although they are expecting a colder year for most of the country, the South (Florida) is supposed to be spared and may even be warmer than average. Fingers crossed.

Fort Lauderdale Weather in November

The Humidity Breaks and Dry Season begins.

High humidity is gone at this time of year. Fort Lauderdale weather in November is the start of the dry season with warm days and cool nights.

Although still Hurricane Season until the end of the month, the cooler ocean waters make any sort of tropical storm pretty rare. The winds tend to pick up at this time of year so the coast can get pretty breezy some days while the temperature remains warm. The winds also tend to bring in some rip currents so be aware of that when going into the ocean.

Fort Lauderdale Weather in August

South Florida's Hottest Month of the Year

Very similar to July, Fort Lauderdale weather in August is an interesting mix of intense heat, fleeting afternoon thunderstorms, beautifully warm seas and crystal clear blue skies.

Hotels are chock full of tourists and the bars and cafes along the beach are filled to the brim with happy vacationing patrons.

August is hot and humid with average daily temperatures in the 90s. Even at dinner time the thermometer is often well above 80 degrees so if you're coming for a visit in August pack light both in the number of items you bring (because you'll be in your bathing suit most of the time) and the type of clothing you pack.

Fort Lauderdale Weather in May

A Taste of What Summer Has to Offer

We've only been down here a couple of times in May but boy was it beautiful! Fort Lauderdale weather in May is the best—we need to rethink our schedule to make sure that we spend more time down here in May.

You get a really good taste of what summer has to offer down here—the days are warm without the high humidity of summer and the evenings are temperature-perfect. Although May is the official start of the wet season, precipitation is usually low.

The ocean is still a little cool from winter which makes it refreshing as average temperatures reach the mid to high 80s in May. What we also enjoyed was less traffic, less people in the stores and hardly any wait at any of the more popular restaurants.

Average High in May:	86°F
Record High in May:	102°F (1945)
Average Low in May:	73°F
Record Low in May:	44°F (1945)
Average Rain in May:	5.42"

TIP: May is one of those months during the year when the tourists have yet to arrive and the snowbirds have migrated back up north. So if you are looking for a good deal on hotels and accommodations May is a great place to start.

Almanac predictions for Fort Lauderdale Weather in 2025 is drier and slightly cooler than usual.  They had an abnormal amount from January to March so that is expected to have some bearing on the weather in May.

Once you experience Fort Lauderdale in May you'll be hard pressed to find a better time to visit.

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Fort Lauderdale Weather in April

The Perfect Mix—South Florida in April

April showers may bring May flowers in the rest of the world but Fort Lauderdale weather in April is mostly sunny as far as we're concerned. We've found that when it does rain here at this time of year it usually happens overnight or as a short-lived afternoon thunderstorm.

In April we begin to notice that the ocean starts to take on some of its more summer-like traits. On those days, it is warm, calm and crystal clear with few waves in site.

Fort Lauderdale life is in full swing in April—the restaurants and shops are still bustling with people but you might find the parking lots a little less crowded since some of the seasonal residents are beginning to head back north.

Average High in April:	82°F
Record High in April:	97°F (1997)
Average Low in April:	68°F
Record Low in April:	36°F (1944)
Average Rain in April:	3.19"

 2024 UPDATE:  On the first weekend of the month (why does it always happen on a weekend?) we saw some of those strange abnormal coolish temperatures that were leftover from March of this year. However, since then it has been beautiful down here and right on track for a typical April.

Things start to quiet down around here towards the end of April as the majority of Snowbirds head north. They reluctantly return home, as the temperature during the day edge towards the mid 80s with little to no humidity and the evenings hover around 70 degrees.

The weather here in April is the perfect mix of warm days, calm seas and cool-ish nights.

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Fort Lauderdale Weather in June

Here Comes Summer!

Although on average the wettest month of the year, Fort Lauderdale weather in June is still beautiful.

From our experience, the rain usually happens at night or as one of those short lived afternoon thunderstorms that are here one minute and gone the next. 

Even though the storms are gone within the hour, they can dump a ton of rain and can make driving in them challenging. But don't worry, the sun will be shining again in minutes and with average daily temperatures in the high 80s the streets will be dry in seconds.

June is the start of hurricane season. The probability of a storm affecting South Florida at this time of year is relatively low given the still cool ocean waters. If anything does form it's usually only a tropical storm or depression and even those are fairly rare at this time of year.

Also, you will notice that the air is more humid, while some of you might not be used to it, trust us, it's no big deal. A little hair spray and deodorant and you're good to go!

Average High in June:	89°F
Record High in June:	108°F (1997)
Average Low in June:	76°F
Record Low in June:	57°F (1933)
Average Rain in June:	7.74"

TIP: Early June is also a great time of year for getting good hotel deals and cheap air tickets. The summer tourist season hasn't started yet since most kids are still in school at this time of year.

With lows in the mid 70s and highs in the upper 80s, June in Fort Lauderdale is an ideal spot for some fun in the sun.

Unfortunately with climate change things are getting hotter so average temperatures will probably need to change in the next few years. In 2022 the averages in Fort Lauderdale were a couple of degrees higher than normal. It'll be interesting to see what happens in 2023.

By the way, don't let the rain scare you away from coming down here. The weather in June is beautiful and the rain is often a refreshing distraction during your day and a great time to take a break from the beach and go shopping or take in some other indoor activities.

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Fort Lauderdale Weather in September

Still sticky, still beautiful as we head into Fall.

We've never actually been down here in September but our neighbors and friends tell us that Fort Lauderdale weather in September is very similar to August but with slightly less heat and humidity.

From what we're told, you can expect it to still be pretty hot, sticky, and humid with ocean waters warmer than ever. I guess that's why Hurricane season is at its peak for South Florida at this time of year. With Hurricane Harvey hitting Texas a week ago it's nerve wracking to even think about hurricanes.

Like August, September can bring some very severe thunderstorms so be on the lookout and take shelter if you see lightning in your area. Then just sit back and enjoy the show.

With the onset of Labor Day, Fort Lauderdale gets pretty quiet as tourist season comes to a screeching halt and the snowbirds are enjoying Fall back home and kids are heading back to school. So September (like May--we love May and often spend the whole month here, May 2022 was especially great!) is a great month to come down here if you're looking for a good deal. Many hotels offer their lowest rates in the month of September.

August 2022 was a couple of degrees hotter than average on most days but the expectation for September is more of the same . That sounds pretty good to us as long as humidity stays at normal levels for September in South Florida.  

Average High in September:	88°F
Record High in September:	98°F (1955)
Average Low in September:	76°F
Record Low in September:	59°F (1938)
Average Rain in September:	8.12"

TIP: As we mentioned before, ample notice (up to a week and more) is given when a hurricane is heading towards South Florida so if you're a vacationing tourist and a hurricane is heading your way most airlines will let you change your ticket without penalty to get you back home and out of harms way. 

With average temperatures running between the upper 70s and upper 80s Fort Lauderdale weather in September is ideal for a quick Labor Day Weekend getaway. The ocean temperature is supposed to be perfectly warm yet refreshing and the summer swelter has eased enough to hit the links.

We may give it a try next year.

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Fort Lauderdale Weather in July

South Florida—Felling Hot! Hot! Hot!

What can we say? Fort Lauderdale weather in July can only be described as hot! Humidity levels are rising and everyone is cranking up the air conditioning.

With average high temperatures in the 90s, July is likely the hottest month of the year down here in South Florida with August coming in a very close second.

2021: We just got back from spending the month of July in Fort Lauderdale and it was a textbook month. Hot, humid and sunny every day. Although Covid restrictions limited us in certain ways, the beach was the perfect place to enjoy the outdoors.

Fort Lauderdale Weather in January

South Florida’s Coolest Month of the Year

Fort Lauderdale weather in January is only a few degrees cooler than December weather and still very pleasant. The end of December (2019) this year was lousy, we've never seen so many days or clouds and rain in a row.

January is also the month when most northerners arrive after spending the holidays back home with their families, so things really start to pick up around here at this time of year.

Average temperatures in January run in the mid to high 70s, making it a great way to begin the New Year.

Happy 2021!

Average High in January:	76°F
Record High in January:	88°F (1965)
Average Low in January:	60°F
Record Low in January:	23°F (1940)
Average Rain in January:	1.73"

We can't help but feel a little guilty wearing shorts and T-Shirts in January, frolicking along the beach during the day while the rest of the continent is shivering and bracing themselves for some of the coldest days of the year. The ocean waters are cool but on warmers days when the sun is shining you can't help but take a dip.

TIP: The weather in January can get a touch cool, especially in the evenings, so don't forget to pack some long sleeve T-Shirts or a light jacket for those evenings when a cold front happens to be passing through the southern end of the Sunshine State.

Remember this is a long state, so unlike the northern part of the state, the weather in January is usually warm unless some arctic air happens to make its way all the way down south.

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Fort Lauderdale Weather in October

Starting to cool down—very very slowly.

One of our favorite months of the year when it comes to Fort Lauderdale weather is October, even though it's still hot, there's a noticeable change in humidity levels which makes for incredibly pleasant days.

The evenings are still warm and comfortable and you can wear shorts and T-Shirts all day long. Hurricane season has peaked in September and although October is still a month where major hurricanes are most likely to affect South Florida the chances of a tropical storm or hurricane decline daily as ocean waters begin to cool.

The last major hurricane to hit Fort Lauderdale was Hurricane Wilma on October 24th 2005. Prior to Wilma, they say that Fort Lauderdale hadn't had any major damage from a hurricane or tropical storm in nearly 50 years.

October averages for Fort Lauderdale are as follows:

Fort Lauderdale Weather in March

South Florida's Picture Perfect Month

Spring is in the air! Fort Lauderdale weather in March is picture perfect. The cooler months are now a thing of the past and there is not even a hint of the high humidity of the upcoming summer season.

March has to be one of our favorite times of year down here in Fort Lauderdale.

Spring break in this town is legendary—but those notorious large gangs of out of control college partiers are long gone and have moved on to other pastures. Instead, the restaurants and bars are now full of happy patrons (mostly families, young adults and retirees) who come here to enjoy everything Fort Lauderdale weather in March has to offer. 

TIP: As 'Spring Break' goes into full swing (which is from Mid-February to the end of March), be sure and book your air travel and accommodations early to ensure availability and get the best deals. 

Average High in March:	80°F
Record High in March:	93°F (2003)
Average Low in March:	65°F
Record Low in March:	31°F (1932)
Average Rain in March:	2.88"

2015: Although this winter hasn't been great weather-wise so far, they are predicting near average temperatures for March and maybe even a little above. Either way, we love being down here in March because the days are longer and you really start to feel the sun's heat.

March is also the start of Sea Turtle nesting season and runs right through to November. The mother turtles come ashore during the night all along Fort Lauderdale's Atlantic coast leaving behind a nest full of eggs which are carefully monitored and protected by Municipal officials.

All of the beach communities cooperate by turning off their lights at night, making it dark and safe for the nesting process. Once born, the hatchlings instinctively head towards the brightest light which should be the open sky night reflected in the ocean but they sometimes get confused by man- made artificial light and head in the wrong direction.

That is why most beach front properties block any and all ocean-facing artificial light.Our building turns off all our ocean facing lights in the common areas. Even a small window in our building's stairwell door is blocked during this period just in case the hatchlings mistake it for the moon.

So if you take a walk along the beaches at night during Sea Turtle nesting season, don't be surprised if you run into one of these amazing creatures.

Fort Lauderdale weather in March is really ideal. With little rain and some of the most beautiful days of the year, it's a little bit of paradise right here on earth. So don't think twice about coming down to Fort Lauderdale in March.

Visit Ft. Lauderdale Weather to see our monthly breakdown so you know what to expect when visiting.

Rain, Rain Go Away!

Snowbird season is quickly approaching and so far 2012 has proven to be a wet year. Let's all hope it doesn't stay that way.

The rainy season started a little early this year and should be winding up. Much of South Florida has seen as much rain as it gets in a full year and we're only at the beginning of October. The meteorologists are predicting that we aren't out of the woods yet and that we may see a wetter than normal winter too--although they can't say for sure.

Between tropical storms and a larger than normal amount of rainfall, our lawns have never looked so green, there is always a silver lining if you look hard enough.

Just a year earlier, we experienced drought and wild fires...Oh, how times have changed. The weather down here has become more fickle and unpredictable than ever. For those of us who spend large blocks of time here, it doesn't really matter. But for those who come down for just a week on a much needed vacation, the erratic pattern can prove to be a problem.

To the vacationers we say this... Being surrounded by palm trees, wearing summer clothes and breathing in the ocean air on a cloudy day is still exhilarating and relaxing in the winter months. If your visit happens to coincide with a week of bad weather (by Florida standards) you may not end up going home with a tan but you will still go home feeling rejuvenated.

However, if you're a sun worshiper who wants nothing more from a vacation than to slather yourself with oil and bake, you might want to consider heading a little further south to one of the hot spots in the Caribbean--the risk of inclement weather in the Islands will work much more in your favor.

We still have another seven weeks to go before the official end of Hurricane season and we'll keep our fingers crossed that the remaining days are quiet and free of storms. We've made it through the peak months of August and September and the closer we get to November the less likely we are to be hit by Mother Nature's wrath.

Oh, and by the way...It's a picture perfect day here today!

Fort Lauderdale Beach Weather

It's amazing how different it feels outside when you're at the beach or inland. People always ask us why we would want to be in Florida in the summer when it's so hot and humid.

We have to say that we love South Florida in the summer. It's less crowded, the ocean is calm and often crystal clear, the days are long and it just feels more tropical. We've been coming down here in the summer months for years and have enjoyed every minute.

I think the main reason we like it so much is because we are lucky enough to have a place on the ocean and  spend most of our time on the beach. So no matter how hot it is outside there is always a nice breeze and an ocean to cool off in.

When we do venture inland in the summer months, we are often shocked over how different it feels. The asphalt just radiates heat and it can be oppressive. And, although there may not be a huge difference in temperature between being at the beach and being inland it feels completely different because the weather conditions are often different.

You will often find that there is just the slightest breeze inland while at the ocean the waves are cresting and the wind is fierce. Or, the humidity level inland is unbearable while it seems just right at the beach.

We have some friends who live inland and like to para-sail and paddle-board. They often call us when we're in town to find out what the conditions are at the beach. We describe it as best we can but have found that what we call a 'moderate ocean breeze' isn't what they consider one to be. And, since we don't partake in those particular activities we aren't sure what we should be looking for in terms of ideal conditions.

The bottom line is they really needed to see things for themselves so they sought out the best Fort Lauderdale beach live cam they could find--which brings us to our Fort Lauderdale Tip of the week:

It turns out the Windjammer Resort in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea (just down the road from us) has what they consider to be the best Beach cam around.

Check it out for yourselves here.

Fort Lauderdale Weather in February

South Florida's Starting to Leave Winter Behind

With the two coldest months of the year behind us Fort Lauderdale weather in February is ideal. The days are now getting noticeably longer and although the average temperature is not that much warmer than in January, the month is sprinkled with some hotter days.

Average High in February:	77°F
Record High in February:	94°F (1964)
Average Low in February:	62°F
Record Low in February:	25°F (1947)
Average Rain in February:	2.06"

As the rest of North America is still frozen in mid-winter, Fort Lauderdale maintains its tropical climate.
Depending on how susceptible you are to the cold you may still need that light sweater in the evening (especially if you are dining along the coast) but as the month progresses it becomes less necessary.
Vacationing Northerners can pretty much assume that they will be able to shed their parkas and sit by the pool in bathing suits, and go home with a Florida tan. Admittedly, Mother Nature can sometimes throw a wrench into things both in January and February (and did she ever in 2010!). Keep in mind that a short vacation is more than just about heat, it's a change in scenery and routine.

2015 Update:

2015 hasn't been a great year for weather down here so far. It's been cool and cloudy. It hasn't been a great year anywhere in North America for that matter so we really can't complain.

The Farmer's Almanac predicts a little more rain than normal this month (for dry season) with warmer temperature only reaching us towards the end of the month. Let's face it, given what they've been getting up north we'll take anything South Florida wants to dish out in February!


With March just around the corner, you can feel the effects of spring on Fort Lauderdale weather with gentler breezes and calmer seas. February here is a terrific time to take advantage of mild temperatures and get a head start on Spring. It will always be warm enough for outdoor activities like fishing, boating, diving or just hanging out and grabbing a beer watching the tide roll in and out and feeling a bit sorry for everyone that isn't you. (But just a bit).

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Fort Lauderdale weather in January

South Florida’s Coolest Month of the Year

Fort Lauderdale weather in January is only a few degrees cooler than December weather and still very pleasant.
January is also the month when most northerners arrive after spending the holidays back home with their families, so things really start to pick up around here at this time of year.

Average temperatures in January run in the mid to high 70s, making it a great way to begin the New Year.

Average High in January:	76°F
Record High in January:	88°F (1965)
Average Low in January:	60°F
Record Low in January:	23°F (1940)
Average Rain in January:	1.73"

We can't help but feel a little guilty wearing shorts and T-Shirts in January, frolicking along the beach during the day while the rest of the continent is shivering and bracing themselves for some of the coldest days of the year. The ocean waters are cool but on warmers days when the sun is shining you can't help but take a dip.

TIP: The weather in January can get a touch cool, especially in the evenings, so don't forget to pack some long sleeve T-Shirts or a light jacket for those evenings when a cold front happens to be passing through the southern end of the Sunshine State.

Remember this is a long state, so unlike the northern part of the state, the weather in January is usually warm unless some arctic air happens to make its way all the way down south.

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Ft Lauderdale Weather

Ft Lauderdale weather is as good as it gets, most of the time—that's why so many snowbirds flock here in winter or others, like us, come back and forth all year long.

The weather in Fort Lauderdale is an almost tropical rain forest climate with little variation in temperature from month to month and like all of South Florida is thought of as having only two seasons.

While in winter (the dry season) it rains from time to time, Summer is considered the rainy or wet season (basically May through October)—but don't let that scare you—the weather can change on a dime regardless of the season—one second it's beautiful and sunny without a cloud in the sky and the next thing you know, it's as dark as night and you are in the middle of a huge thunderstorm...then ten minutes later the sun is shining and there isn't a cloud in the sky.

Our own non-scientific thoughts on this strange yet consistent Fort Lauderdale weather pattern is that Florida is long and skinny with a flat topography extending between two large bodies of water. This allows the winds and weather in general to move freely from one coast to the other passing quickly over Broward County on its way back out to sea. There probably isn't a grain of truth in this theory but it's our story and we're sticking to it! 
 
The point is that it rarely rains for very long, so even when it's rainy season or all the forecasts show a 90% probability of rain, more often than not it means that it will rain at some point during that day, but from what we have witnessed over the years, that rain will rarely last very long.

Summer here is definitely hot and humid with average high temperatures of 86-90°F (30-32°C) and lows of 71-76°F (22-24°C). For some, that is Paradise. For the rest of us, being on the beach on those scorching hot days with that familiar refreshing ocean breeze makes the tropical climate not only tolerable but extremely enjoyable. Plus, there's air conditioning everywhere!

Winter, or the Dry Season, runs from November through April. Average high temperatures of 75-82°F (24-28°C) & lows of 59-66°F (15-19°C) makes winter in Ft Lauderdale more like summer on the rest of the continent. That's what makes Fort Lauderdale weather so great all year around.
There's at least one more season that one needs to be aware of when it comes to Ft Lauderdale weather—that is hurricane season which extends from June 1st to November 30th, but don't worry... Been there. Done that! We'll fill you in on our 2005 encounter with Hurricane Wilma another time.

Although the weather in Fort Lauderdale is pretty good all year long, our month-to-month snapshots will give you more details on what to expect weather-wise and a few tips to keep in mind depending on when you're coming down.

January Weather S. Florida's Coolest Month of the Year		July Weather Feeling Hot! Hot! Hot!
February Weather Fort Lauderdale is Leaving Winter Behind		August Weather Hottest Month of the Year.
March Weather The Picture Perfect Month		September Weather Still sticky. Still beautiful!
April Weather The Perfect Mix—Fort Lauderdale in April		October Weather Another Picture Perfect Month!
May Weather South Florida's Intro to Summer		November Weather Humidity Breaks. Beautiful as ever.
June Weather Here Comes Summer!		December Weather Ft Lauderdale Weather—Closing the Year with Lots of Sunshine.