One of the top questions I get from people planning a trip to Disney World is “When Is the Best Month to Visit Florida?”. Florida has some pretty extreme weather patterns, so deciding when to go is one of the most important decisions you’ll make early on in the planning process. There are only a few months out of the year that most people would consider comfortable in Florida, and beyond that it depends on how much heat you can take.
For this article, I am going to focus primarily on Orlando. Let’s take a look at each month and what you can expect weatherwise. To compare this with crowd levels, you can take a look at my Crowd Calendar.
January
Average High: 71 F
Average Low: 49 F
Average Precipitation: 2.3 inches
January is typically the coolest month out of the year in Florida. If you do not like hot weather at all, then this would be the best time for you to go. You will have to be prepared for cool weather though since the weather can have some dramatic temperature dips. You may be in shorts one day and then need a light jacket, hat and mitts another day. This is a month where you will need to prepare for layers.
February
Average High: 74 F
Average Low: 52 F
Average Precipitation: 2.5 inches
February is very similar to January, except it does start to warm up a bit more. The more you get to the end of the month, the more chance you have at some warm, comfortable shorts and t-shirt weather. Again though, plan for layers as it will cool down at night. While you may be able to swim during the day, the evenings will feel too cool for a dip in the pool.
March
Average High: 78 F
Average Low: 56 F
Average Precipitation: 3.7 inches
March would still be considered a comfortable month to visit in terms of heat. You will definitely have warm days, but you may still need some layers for the evenings. You shouldn’t have any really cold dips though. The only other factor to consider for March though is that the March Break crowds will start to arrive mid-month. For that reason, the two first weeks are best for both weather and crowds.
April
Average High: 83 F
Average Low: 60 F
Average Precipitation: 2.7 inches
This is the month where the heat starts to kick in. If you like hot weather, but don’t want to deal with the extreme heat and humidity of the Florida summers, then April may be the best month for you. You’ll have beautiful sunshine and will most likely be in light clothing most of the time.
May
Average High: 88 F
Average Low: 66 F
Average Precipitation: 3.5 inches
May is very similar to April. Expect warm temperatures and sunshine. Plan for light clothing and bring a lot of sunscreen! If you’d like some tips on how to handle the hot weather, check out How to Stay Cool in Florida During the Summer Months.
June
Average High: 91 F
Average Low: 72 F
Average Precipitation: 7.5 inches
The extreme heat will start to kick in for June. This is also the first month of the official hurricane season, so you’ll see greater amounts of rainfall. Since Florida has a lot of humidity, you’ll get frequent thunder/lighting showers, however, they are usually short. Florida is known for fast changing weather. It will be clear skies and sunny in the morning, quick rainstorm in the afternoon, and then back to clear, sunny skies. Be prepared by always carrying a poncho with you.
July
Average High: 92 F
Average Low: 74 F
Average Precipitation: 7.3 inches
This is historically the hottest month of the year in Florida. If you have an aversion to heat, then you will want to stay away during the summer months. The risk of hurricanes also starts to increase as the season gets more active.
August
Average High: 92 F
Average Low: 74 F
Average Precipitation: 7.1 inches
This is the month where the threat of hurricanes starts to really increase. The heat and humidity are still very high and you will feel uncomfortable if you are not used to the heat. The crowds do thin out later in the month, but you will have to deal with the heat. On the plus side, it’s warm enough to swim any time of day, even after the sun goes down.
September
Average High: 90 F
Average Low: 73 F
Average Precipitation: 6 inches
Heat and humidity are still at a high during the month of September, and it is still peak hurricane season. In 2017, September was the month that hurricane Irma hit Orlando/Florida. This is also the month where you typically see the lowest crowds. It really comes down to whether you can deal with the extreme heat and if the threat of hurricanes bothers you or not.
October
Average High: 85 F
Average Low: 66 F
Average Precipitation: 3.3 inches
While it is still hot in October, it will start to get a bit more comfortable. It is still considered hurricane season, but the peak time of the season will have already passed. It’s possible that you may need a light layer some evenings, but for the most part it will be shorts and t-shirt weather.
November
Average High: 79 F
Average Low: 59 F
Average Precipitation: 2.1 inches
November is when the weather starts to get comfortable in terms of the heat. You’ll have warm days, but the evenings will start to cool down. You’ll want to plan for layers since the temperatures can be a bit unpredictable. The hurricane season is also coming to an end in November and the amount of rainfall is significantly less than the previous 4 months.
December
Average High: 73 F
Average Low: 52 F
Average Precipitation: 2.6 inches
Another comfortable month for anyone wishing to avoid the high heat. It’s the second coolest month of the year, so while you may be in a t-shirt during the day, you will need layers for the evening. Prepare for all types of weather, but you can count on not having the extreme heat that Florida is known for.
Best Time of Year To Visit Orlando
If you want cooler weather – November to February
If you prefer warm, but not extreme heat – March to May
If you want to avoid hurricanes – DO NOT visit during August and September
To avoid high chance of rain – DO NOT visit from June to September
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Laura is a mom of one adorable girl with a love of all things Disney. She traveled to Disney World with her family in 2010 and was hooked. They have since been a total of over 15 times. With all her knowledge of planning Disney trips, she now wants to share that with others. She loves giving guidance, tips and advice to others planning their magical vacation!