The Sunshine State
Author: Robert Nickel
The climate of Florida is complicated. Since there is no part of the state that is very far away from an oceanic body of water, the climates can change from region to region. For example northern Florida is humid subtropical, but coastal areas towards the Florida Keys lie in a tropical climate and the Gold Coast area is tropical wet-an-dry. Add into the mix instances of extreme weather such as hurricanes, tropical storms and excessive heat. Florida is certainly the Sunshine State, but in varying degrees.
The north western coast of Florida receives the least amount of dramatic weather, mostly because it border the Gulf of Mexico as opposed to the Atlantic Ocean. The southern most point of the panhandle is central to hurricane activity, but only between June and November. Taking a journey to Florida outside those months will garner a sunny day with little chance of hurricane force winds.
Central Florida is often referred to as the Lightening Capital of the US as it receives more strikes than anywhere else in the nation. Frequent afternoon thunderstorms are part of what set the stage for the lightening, but they also are the reason for such prolific citrus crops. The 3200 hours of average sun per year, combined with frequent and short rain storms are the perfect conditions for citrus growers.
For the entire state, the highest amount of rain occurs during summer, but temperatures are still a comfortable 70 to 80 F degrees. Winter is moderate, with lows averaging about 65 F in the south and 40 F in the north of Florida. The state is not immune to freezing temperatures or snow. There have been a handful of occasions where the thermometer dropped below zero, resulting in devastation to citrus crops. The first record of a freeze is in 1835, the next was not for another 60 years. After that, it has been more and more frequent with some winter freezes occurring every year or two.
Meteorologists have often stated weather patterns are just that, a pattern. Severely hot summers and acute winter freezes occur in cycles, always have and always will. However – and this is a big however – global warming is speeding up the cycles. We will see more freezes and more droughts more often. The Sunshine State will always be a sunny state, simply by geography. Although the sun will be more intense, and the rain will be plentiful.
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Tags: Destin Florida, environment, florida, hurricane, travel, tropical, Vacation, weather
