Tips on how to properly prepare and what to expect with Florida’s heat and humidity.
Florida is full of blue skies and summer shine and is best known for its warm weather and beautiful coastline full of beaches. While temperatures can reach the high 80s and 90s during the summer months, even those who love the hot weather can struggle with the high levels of heat and humidity here.
Overheating and heat stress can occur at any age and any time It’s important to be properly prepared and educated so that the weather conditions don’t put a strain on not only your Florida vacation but also the future health of your body.
For people that live in Florida dealing with heat and humidity during the summer months is a way of life. However, travelers who are not used to it can learn how to deal with these sometimes uncomfortable conditions.
After living in Florida for almost three years off and on, I was able to learn how to tolerate the difference in heat and humidity levels compared to my other home in Ohio. Being aware of certain tips, things to do, and what to avoid will help keep your body healthy and become more tolerable and easily adaptable to the rising heat and humidity levels.
It’s possible to beat the heat in Florida and deal with its humidity by staying hydrated throughout the day, and wearing light clothes and breathable shoes. Additionally, it helps to eat light meals and spend time indoors when temperature and humidity levels are at their highest.
Need more in-depth tips before traveling to our state?
Keep reading our 18 answers to questions on how to beat the heat and humidity:
1. Is the Florida Heat That Bad and Unbearable?
The Florida heat isn’t necessarily unbearable, but it can get bad at times. During the summer months, high temperatures range from 79-88 degrees Fahrenheit, with Key West having the highest average of 88 degrees Fahrenheit.
Florida has above-average humidity throughout the entire year, with the least humid month being March at 60%, and the highest being August at 71%.
2. When Is It Less Humid in Florida?
It is less humid during the winter months in northern Florida and along the Panhandle. Due to colder temperatures, the air holds less water vapor producing lower humidity. Overall, March is the least humid month in the sunshine state due to having the highest amount of wind that month.
Humidity is actually the amount of moisture in the air. During the day, the relative humidity will be the highest during the early morning hours, and the lowest in the afternoon when temperature levels are higher.
3. How to Get Used to Florida Heat and Humidity?
Keeping yourself cool during the Florida heat and humidity and getting your body used to higher temperature levels just takes time. It’s just a matter of getting used to the warm temperatures and climate differences.
Gradually increasing your physical endurance outdoors over time, while staying hydrated, wearing sunscreen, and wearing the appropriate clothing will help get you used to the heat and humidity over time.
4. How to Stay Hydrated?
In order to stay properly hydrated in Florida’s heat, you should drink at least ⅓ of water in your body weight in ounces. Start by drinking around 20 ounces of water before going out in the heat, and then 6-12 ounces while active.
Drinking water in shorter intervals is more effective and will keep your body hydrated for longer. Drinking 8 ounces every 15 minutes is the common recommendation. Be sure not to drink more than 48 ounces every hour of the risk of becoming overly hydrated or becoming sick to your stomach.
💡 During your trip, keep a refillable water bottle with you at all times. Saving money on bottled water helps encourage you to drink more.
5. What to Drink/Eat?
Staying hydrated throughout the day is one of the best ways to beat the Florida heat. Even if you are not thirsty, be sure to drink plenty of water. Try to avoid beverages that contain a lot of caffeine, such as soda or coffee, as these drinks will speed up the dehydration process.
Not drinking enough water is a bad habit of mine and I would get terribly overheated and have a lack of energy during the summer while living in Florida.
When it comes to meals, avoid heavy food options and opt for things with higher water content and fewer carbs. Foods such as watermelons, cucumbers, tomatoes, soups, and salads are some of the best options to stay healthy and happy when battling heat and humidity.
6. How to Run in the Florida Heat?
Running in the Florida heat helps build endurance, but becomes difficult when it is humid and the air is full of moisture. When running in the heat, drink water like crazy, wear light and loose-fitting clothing, eat lightly, and heed the heat warning.
However, running in the heat is not advised. Morning hours tend to have lower temperatures and if the coolest part of the day. Avoid running in the midday hours when temperatures are often at their highest.
7. How to Spend a Day When It’s Hot and Humid?
When it’s extremely hot and humid in Florida, it’s best to avoid direct sunlight in the afternoon and limit physical activity and outdoor exposure when the heat is high. Visitors can either opt to spend a day in the water, enjoying the beaches, water sports, inland lagoons, streams, and waterparks scattered all around the state.
Alternatively, you can choose to seek out indoor activities or locations that are cool or come with air conditioning, such as restaurants and bars, museums, or shaded natural parks,
I love the ocean and would choose to spend as much time in the water as possible. However, while I typically enjoy the beach in the morning or evening hours, afternoon hours when the heat is at its hottest is an excellent time of day to relax, catch up on work, or indulge in Florida cuisine.
8. What to Wear in the Florida Heat?
Wearing appropriate clothing is one of the best ways to beat the Florida heat. For starters, avoid layers and choose fabrics that are breathable, such as kinds of cotton or linens, and avoid fabrics that are more restrictive, such as leather, polyester, or rayon. Light and airy clothing options are key, as well as lightly colored clothing (avoid black as it attracts the sun).
Clothing items that air best for bearing the Florida heat are tank tops, short-sleeved shirts, dresses, shorts, sports bras, and skirts. Opt for clothing that has looser cuts and styles, workout clothing is another great option as it is often very breathable, but be sure to select items with the appropriate material.
Sandals, boat shoes, and breathable walking shoes are best for shoe wear in the Florida heat. Avoid wearing boots or heavy-styled shoes when capable.
9. Which Are the Best Accessories to Stay Cool?
There are some really useful gadgets and accessories you can use to beat Florida’s heat on your trip. We picked the best for you and highly recommend checking these out.
10. Where to Go to Escape Florida Heat and Humidity?
During the summer months when heat and humidity are at their highest, regions of inland Florida and the Panhandle tend to have lower humidity levels compared to southern or coastal areas. To escape the heat and humidity, consider visiting places such as Okeechobee, Pensacola, or Panama City.
💡 Destin has always been a popular vacation spot for my family in the summer month due to its northern location, sunny weather, and all the best parts about Florida but with lower humidity levels.
Within the humid regions of Florida, it can be more challenging to escape the heat. When temperature and humidity levels are at their highest, consider spending time indoors exploring museums, shopping, or dining out at air-conditioned restaurants for a few hours during the afternoon.
11. How Long Does It Take To Adjust to Florida Heat?
Adjusting to the Florida heat can vary from person to person. People who often spend more time outside become acclimatized a lot faster. Heat acclimatization is the improvement of heat tolerance, and the more you are used to being outside the easier it will be to get used to it.
Adjusting to our heat typically takes 1-2 weeks. However, it depends on the individual. Some travelers adjust a lot faster. Increasing your workload can speed up the process and allows you to become more comfortable and capable of heat acclimatization.
12. How to Stay Cool in Florida Heat?
Besides the obvious of drinking water and dressing appropriately, there are a lot of ways to stay cool in the Florida heat and lessen the effects of high humidity levels.
To stay cool in the Florida heat, you should eat light, seek air conditioning, take frequent showers, enjoy the water, seek shaded green spaces, and use cool gadgets such as fans or spritzers.
13. Is the Florida Heat Dry or Humid?
Florida is by far the most humid state in the United States. Northern and central Florida is humid subtropical, while the southern region has a more tropical climate being closer to the Caribbean. With that being said, the heat is humid the more south you travel, and dryer the more north you travel.
14. What Is Florida Heat Like?
Florida has 4 climate zones including Humid Subtropical, Tropical Savanna, Tropical Monsoon, and Rainforest. Having a wet and dry season, different regions of the state will reside in one of the 4 zones and have different effects due to climate but have a steady heat and humid level over time each year.
Florida heat is described as having mild winters and hot summers, with the hottest temperatures being right before the start of the rainy season.
15. How to Prepare for Florida Heat?
To prepare for the Florida heat, visitors should spend some time doing research on weather conditions in the areas they are visiting so they know what to expect, as well as spending extra time outdoors while gradually increasing physical activity.
Knowing what to pack, how to dress, weather expectations, and knowing how your body reacts to certain temperatures and strenuous activity will help prepare you for the heat in this state and help you stay healthy during your visit.
16. How Long Does a Florida Heat Wave Last?
Florida has an average of six heat waves per year which often last from 3-5 days. Heat waves are occurring more and more each year in Florida due to climate change.
A heatwave is described as prolonged heat and high temperature for more than 2 consecutive days, with an average of 5 consecutive days.
17. Is the Heat in Florida Dangerous?
Florida currently has 25 dangerous heat days each year, with that number expected to rise over the next few decades. Dangerous heat is defined as having a heat index of 105 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. The number of yearly deaths in Florida due to high heat levels is 10-28 per year.
18. Does the Florida Heat Make You Tired?
Florida’s summer heat can make you tired as our bodies work overtime when prolonged to extreme heat conditions or outdoor exposure. Body temperatures are harder to maintain during extremely hot days and take a lot more energy than normal to maintain and regulate.
Using so much extra energy tends to make our bodies feel tired or sluggish. While living in Florida, I would try to avoid being outdoors in the afternoons if I knew I had a lot of things to do that day.
Spending too much time out in the sun often made me tired, giving me less energy to complete my tasks for the day.