Video:Typical Southern Florida Weather Patterns

Transcript:Typical Southern Florida Weather Patterns

Aptly named the "Sunshine State," Florida is often seen as an idyllic getaway spot due to its long summers and fairly mild winters.

Information About Southern Florida Weather Patterns

Before you assume every day is paradise and you pack up and move or you plan your next holiday, it's good to know a bit more about Southern Florida's weather patterns. The primary factors that determine the weather patterns of warm, humid summers and mild, cool winters are related to its latitude as well as many inland lakes.

More About Southern Florida Weather Patterns

Another factor are the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico currents that drive weather, including temperature. If you are looking for a warm place in the winter, Southern Florida is the place to roost. A favorite amongst the snow bird set, people flock to this area because it is considered the warmest spot in the country during the winter. And, while the summers are considered incredibly hot, the pattern here is one of daily temperature changes thanks to the weather patterns.

Facts About Southern Florida Weather Patterns

It is this heat that can often be more devastating than some of the other known weather. In fact, more people die from excessive heat than from lightning strikes. This is attributed not only to the high temperature, but also the high relative humidity. This humidity does not allow a person's perspiration to evaporate in order to cool the body. Humidity reigns in Florida because there is no point in the state that is more than sixty miles from salt water and no area that is higher than 345 feet above sea level. This causes all areas to remain in constant contact with sea air and salt water, which drives the humidity up.

Typical Southern Florida Weather Patterns

Despite being called the Sunshine State, Florida admits that rain does fall—sometimes, in heavy amounts. One of the areas that can get extreme rainfall is the most southeastern point in Florida, which can average over sixty inches in a calendar year. Two places with the least amount of rain throughout the year are the Florida Keys and the southwestern coastline. Florida is also known as the thunderstorm capital of the U.S. The lighting belt stretches south on the west coast from Fort Myers to southeastern Lake Okeechobee. These thunderstorms develop from hot, wet air that is close to the ground that then mixes with the unstable atmosphere. These typically occur June through September in the afternoons and early evenings.

Then, there are tornados that tend to be more like waterspouts in April, May and June in the southern region. Lastly, there is hurricane season, which runs from the beginning of June until the end of November. These violent storms bring sustained winds and heavy rains that develop from warm, moist air that becomes stronger when touching land or cool water. Wow, you might think, what happened to all the sunshine after you hear about the varied weather patterns of South Florida? However, there is still plenty of sun and fun to be had throughout the year now that you know what months might be best to avoid.

I'm Jonathon Stewart, with About.com.