Florida in February – Outfits and Weather

February is one of Florida’s mild months before winter begins to defrost. The weather won’t be terribly hot, but you should expect weather surprises like flash showers. If visiting central or north Florida, layers are your best friend.

If visiting South Florida, an extra sweater and pair of long pants may come in handy, but pack for by-the-pool temperatures. Non-negotiable items in your suitcase should include an umbrella, poncho, hat, and sunscreen. More comprehensive outfit tips later!

💡 Visiting earlier? Please read our January Outfit Guide for Florida

In this February guide, we cover:

• Weather Overview for February
• Outfit Guide | Packing Tips
• Essential Clothing Items
• Personal Experiences and Unique Tips

Our writer, who has lived in Florida for over ten years, provides unique outfit tips you won’t find anywhere else!

Make sure to read our complete guide with essential outfit and packing tips:

Weather Overview

The weather in February is unpredictable when it comes to temperature. Will winter last late, or will spring come early? That is the big question.

Overall, February is one of the cooler months of the year and tends to be very dry with more winds. A great time of year to visit if you are trying to beat the heat and avoid high humidity and rainfall.

The average high temperature in February is ranging from 64°F to 75°F (18-24°C) in Florida. It is in the middle of the dry season with little rain and cooler weather. Rainfall is unlikely in February, with a monthly average of 2.0 to 3.1 inches.

Florida’s average highs in February (temperatures by city):

• Miami: 75°F (24°C)
• Tampa: 73°F (23°C)
• Orlando: 75°F (24°C)
• Jacksonville: 69°F (20°C)
• Destin: 64°F (18°C)

The temperatures aren’t drastically different from city to city, but temperatures increase the further south you travel.

Rainfall

February is the dry season and is usually one of the driest months of the year in Florida. This means that rain will be very unlikely on most days, and shouldn’t be a burden to visitors. This is a great month to enjoy outdoor activities, without having to worry about the weather ruining any plans.

Good to know: Florida can be unpredictable when it comes to weather, and we have seen rain showers in February in the past.

Wind & Fog: February has higher winds and higher fog levels than most other months. Morning hours from 6-9 am tend to be very foggy, while winds usually pick up in the late afternoons.

The average rainfall in February in Florida is 2.5-3.1 inches. On average, it rains for 7 days during the month of February and is more often rain in the northern regions and less in the south.

Heat/Humidity

Florida keeps a steady humidity level all year round, it is always present.

In February, the humidity in Florida is higher compared to the rest of the country, but very low for Florida itself. It ranges from 57 to 87%. The air tends to be a lot drier, so the humidity isn’t noticed as much.

The average humidity in February tends to be higher in the mornings around 7 am. Humidity is lowest in the northern regions around 4 pm, and southern regions around 1 pm.

Daily Weather Progression

The daily weather progression in February can fluctuate year to year, depending on how long winter lasts. On average, it tends to be cooler in the mornings and evenings, and the hottest hours with the most sun are from 12-3 pm.

Mornings tend to have a lot of fog. The temperatures are cooler but start to rise after 8 am.

Evenings: Evening hours cool off and have higher winds, especially in coastal towns/cities.

Here is a typical daily temperature progression in the south of Florida in Miami:

• 8 AM: 66°F
• 11 AM: 73°F
• 2 PM: 75°F
• 9 PM: 68°F

Packing Tips | February Outfit Guide

Florida has a subtropical climate all year long, giving the impression that it is summer all the time. However, February is a bit colder and has more winds than most other months, especially in the northern regions.

In Florida, pack summer and spring clothes for your February trip. Women typically wear a jacket combined with long pants after the sun goes down. Men are often still comfortable wearing a t-shirt combined with jeans. However, layering is essential, as it can get chilly.

Good to know: The further south you go, the lower the winds and higher the temperature. The south has early summer weather in February, while the north has much more of a springtime feel.

During the month of February, the clothing items in your suitcase should consist of:

• Shorts (mostly for men, or southern visitors)
• Leggings or Athletic pants
• Jeans
• T-shirts
• Flannel or long-sleeved layering shirt (men and women)
• A sweater or sweatshirt
• Light jacket (for wind or evenings)
• Bathing suits/cover-up
• Swim trunks

A Typical Day

Dressing for unpredictable weather in Florida can be tricky, and every day is a surprise. Be prepared for temperature changes.

9 AM

North Florida: Plan on winds and feeling somewhat chilly when stepping out of the hotel, especially if your outfit is the one you will be wearing most of the day. Go for long pants and a comfortable T-shirt under a sweater, hoodie, or long sleeve and jacket.

South Florida: Early morning temps will not exactly scream summer, but some people will find the humidity makes it comfortable enough to wear shorts and a shirt. If the morning feels too cool for that, wear a versatile long sleeve or shirt with a jacket and pants.

12 PM

North and South Florida: By lunchtime, especially if you are walking around to explore the sights, you should be feeling much warmer than you were in the morning if you are in the south. If this is the case, you should feel comfortable enough to take off your outer jacket.

3 PM

North and South Florida: Daytime temperatures normally peak at this time. If you are still walking around with all your layers in central or north Florida, you might feel warm enough to finally go down to your base layer, unless the winds are very strong.

6 PM

North Florida: If you got a little warmer walking around and exploring North Florida, the chill will definitely be coming back with the sunset. Now is the time to put all your layers back on, or if going back to your hotel to change for your evening activities, plan on wearing trousers and long sleeves layered with jackets, or thick stockings if you plan on wearing a dress.

South Florida: If you are further south, your style of attire will not have to change too much from loose or short-sleeved clothing. If you get cold easily, plan on wearing pants instead of shorts. Regardless of how you feel in the outdoor weather, bring a jacket or sweater for your time indoors.

9 PM

North and South Florida: Wherever you are in the sunshine state, you will want to be wearing a warm outer layer and long pants for the late night temperatures.

Comfortable Shoes

Comfortable shoes are a must, no matter where you go in February. Don’t underestimate the amount of walking. Especially in theme parks like Disney or Universal, it’s likely that you will be walking over 10 miles.

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Without comfortable walking shoes, you end up with blisters and hurting feet at the end of the day. Please don’t wear flip-flops in theme parks.

Should I Bring Jeans?

South Florida: If you are a person who likes to wear jeans frequently, this is the month to do it. The humidity is low enough to not become a burden, so tight clothing isn’t as hot as in the summer months.

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Northern Florida will be great weather for jeans and trousers all day long. But if you’re going to South Florida, remember that you may get uncomfortable with jeans on for an extended period of time, especially if you’re not used to the humidity.

You will likely be more comfortable with a suitcase full of shorts for South Florida, but plan on bringing at least one or two pairs of jeans/pants for when temperatures are cooler in the evenings.

Additional items to pack:

• Sunglasses
• Small backpack or fanny pack for day trips
• Comfy walking shoes (alternative: sandals with support)
• Beach bag
• Hat
• Water shoes (for water sports or boating)
• Water bottle for hydration
• Sunscreen
• Small portable fan
• Cooler
• Mickey Mouse ears for Disney.

Rain Protection

While rain isn’t likely during this time of year, Florida has one-of-a-kind weather, so it is never impossible. Be prepared to encounter a brief period of light showers during your trip. Especially in South Florida, keeping a small umbrella handy is always a good idea.

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If visiting the theme parks, we recommend bringing your own poncho. This will keep you and your belongings nice and dry in case of showers. While you can buy a poncho at the park, you will find it much cheaper to buy one outside of the park and bring it in.

Restaurant Tip

In Florida, even in the winter months at daytime, we carry a sweater or light jacket throughout the day for dining out in indoor restaurants. Since the temperature outdoors is mainly warm, the air conditioners are often on full blast. If you get cold easily, this is a great tip to keep in mind.

Comfortable Shoes

You should wear comfortable shoes most of the time. Don’t underestimate the amount of walking you’ll be doing. In particular, in theme parks like Disney, it’s likely that you will be walking over 10 miles.

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💡 Without comfortable walking shoes, you end up with blisters and hurting feet at the end of the day. Please don’t wear flip-flops in the theme parks, as these also run a risk of flying away on the rides.

Long Sleeves Can Be Safer Than T-Shirts

Long sleeved shirts don’t just work well for layering against the cold weather of central and north Florida. They are great all-day clothing options thanks to their versatility if you are feeling cold (but not needing a thick jacket or sweater) during part of the day and warmer later on.

When using this as your base layer, even if outside temps are still proving too hot, you can roll your sleeves up as needed to remain comfortable.

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It’s important to consider how much time you will be spending outside if you are in the southern part of the state. If you plan on being outdoors all day without a break to go back to your hotel and change, a long-sleeved shirt in the morning will feel fine, but will turn warm and even uncomfortable during the high afternoon temperatures if you’re finding the humidity unbearable.

Prepare for Anything

While the humidity is not at its worst during February, it will still come as a shock for those who are used to drier climates. Florida’s tropics are always something to consider when you plan to spend the day walking around, going on rides, or resting in the sand.

Make sure to pack some medicine and electrolytes to treat and prevent headaches and dehydration. People who especially aren’t used to the weather will likely do some sweating, and replacing the salt and minerals your body is losing in your sweat is very important to stay healthy.

The Florida heat is no joke and if you aren’t used to a warm climate, this could really bring a damper to your vacation. While the humidity is not as intense in February compared to the summer months, it is still smart to be prepared.

Sun Protection

Even though February is a winter month, sun damage should still be a concern, especially since spring is just around the corner.

Florida’s sun is powerful year-round. As the southernmost state in the country apart from Hawai’i, the sun’s rays strike Florida at a higher angle, which increases its ability to heat in both the summer and winter.

This means that even if you’re in a cooler northern city, protecting your skin with sunscreen or long sleeves and pants is a must. Choose a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to prevent burning. Also, keep a hat and sunglasses handy!

Essential Items

T-shirts

T-shirts are fundamental for layering since they can provide a great breeze when you start to get warm and need to peel some layers off. They can also give you more coverage than a tank top and protect sensitive areas like your shoulders and back from the sun.

Sweaters and Long Sleeves

Whether you’re planning for only slightly chilly weather or strong winter temps in your Florida destination, packing at least one sweater or jacket and a few long-sleeved shirts is essential.

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It will keep you safe rather than sorry if you run into cold weather or indoor temperatures.

Trousers or Jeans

Whether it will be comfortable to wear long pants during the day will depend on which part of the state you are visiting. In any case, trousers or jeans can be a great option for nighttime when temperatures go down.

Shorts or Capris

Like with long pants, how many pairs of shorts you should bring will depend on your location. Shorts are a must if you’re spending time in South Florida.

Tip: Diversity in your suitcase is key. If you plan on being warm most of your trip, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pack any jacket or long pants, and vice versa.

Skirts or a Casual Dress

Loose skirts and sundresses are a great option if visiting South Florida because they can keep you cool but are also versatile enough that you can add layers to keep warm.

If visiting northern Florida, opt for longer dresses or sweater dresses, or pack stockings to layer up.

Sneakers and Boots

Sneakers aren’t your only option for comfortable footwear if you want some variety. There are plenty of boots that are comfortable and can be used in the day or evening time, especially if visiting a very northern part of Florida.

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For South Florida visitors, sandals can be an option, but we recommend you opt for sneakers thanks to their versatility for walking and keeping your feet a bit warmer.

Swimwear

While the water of some northern beaches might be too cold for some people to tolerate, the southern beaches are great to swim in year-round. If you’re planning to swim, pack more than one bathing suit so you always have a dry one ready to go!

Jewelry

Don’t overdo it with the jewelry if you have a full day of activities planned ahead. Stick to simple chains with a secure clasp, especially when going in the ocean or on theme park rides. Avoid rings, earrings, or other pieces of jewelry that can get lost or caught on something.

Prepare Well for Your Night Out

You should bring a pair of thick socks in your bag if you’re wearing very high or uncomfortable heels. These will give you the option to retire your heels and keep you from walking around barefoot if you aren’t able to keep a spare pair of shoes handy.

This is especially true if you’re doing a lot of walking in the evening, like bar hopping or going to a concert.

Personal Experiences

A spare sweater is non-negotiable: Halfway through our day at Universal Studios Orlando, we decided to sit inside a restaurant inside the park to eat. After walking around most of the day, I was very sticky and sweaty, even though it was a mild winter day and not hot at all.

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I wasn’t used to the humidity, so I was loving the air conditioning as soon as we stepped inside. But after a few minutes, I cooled down as much as I needed to and immediately began to feel like I was freezing. And being damp with sweat didn’t help!

I had packed a thin sweater in my backpack just in case someone in my group got soaked on a water ride or something, and it made sitting through lunch so much more bearable.

Protect your thighs in shorts: I wore some athletic shorts to walk around the Universal and Islands of Adventure theme parks all day. Even though it was sort of chilly in the morning and mildly warm in the afternoon, it was toasty enough to go for shorts instead of leggings, but eventually my thighs were chafing really badly because of sweat..

If you plan on wearing shorts, either wear long biker shorts or bring baby powder and lotion to absorb the moisture on your legs and reduce chafing! It would have saved me a lot of pain. Or, skip the shorts altogether and opt for leggings.

Prepare your hair for humidity: If you have long hair, bring extra headbands or hair ties. Even if you go during the “cooler months,” being outdoors all day long means whatever humidity there is will make it feel like your hair is glued to your neck and forehead, and I couldn’t believe how frizzy my curls got no matter how much product I put in them.

I needed to keep my hair in a bun or in a ponytail most of my trip, and I don’t know what I would have done without extra scrunchies and some gel in my suitcase.

Conclusion

February is one of Florida’s mild months before winter begins to defrost. The weather won’t be terribly hot, but travelers should expect weather surprises like flash showers. If visiting central or north Florida, layers are your best friend. If visiting South Florida, an extra sweater and pair of long pants may come in handy, but pack for by-the-pool temperatures. Non-negotiable items in your suitcase should include an umbrella, poncho, hat, and sunscreen.