The sizzling semi-tropical city of Miami is one of Florida’s major cultural and entertainment destinations. While beachfront art deco buildings shaded by palms may be the stereotypical view of this south Florida paradise, its diverse population means Miami is also incredibly creative. Here east meets west, and south meets north, in the city’s art, culture, nightlife and cuisine.
But to enjoy the very best of this much-loved US destination, you’re going to want to know exactly when to head to the American South. The best time to visit Miami doesn’t just depend on the weather in the city, but also on costs, which can change substantially at different times of year. Then there’s the number of other tourists to take into account too.
In this guide we detail the generalities behind the best time to visit Miami, taking all of these points into consideration, before breaking down weather conditions by month, and providing you with a guide to the top events that take place each month.
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Miami is a little unusual because high summer is not necessarily the best time to visit the city and its beaches. Instead, the best time to visit Miami is probably the spring. At this time of year the weather in southern Florida is already warm, but lacking the humidity of later months. What’s more, Miami’s waters are at some of their warmest of the year, and the spring avoids any threat from the hurricane season.
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Spring actually comes at the end of the high season, which runs over the winter months, so visiting Miami in late spring will see lower tourist numbers and more attractive accommodation prices. That said, Miami is warm and sunny throughout the year, and there isn’t any time that should be avoided. Instead, you want to pick the time of year which works best for you.
Spring weather can be experienced right from mid-February to May, which will be a happy surprise to anyone used to a European or New York spring. However, the tourist season hits its peak in the winter months, between mid-November and April, when its beaches can become crowded and accommodation costs at their highest. Come towards May, and this rule begins to reverse as the weather starts to heat up towards the sultry summer months, as explained in more detail below.
Read below for information about Miami weather in January (Photo credit – Weather Atlas)
January lies in the middle of Miami’s high season, as those living in colder climes escape the winter chill. Here, however, temperatures rarely fall below 63°F (17°C), and visitors can expect to see highs of a very pleasant 73°F (23°C). There’s also some of the lowest levels of rain for any month, averaging 2.3 inches falling over 4 days.
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Read below for information about Miami weather in February (Photo credit – Weather Atlas)
Rainfall levels are almost identical in January and February, giving largely clear and sunny skies. The city’s average temperatures have also changed only slightly. While average lows now sit at 64°F (18°C), highs have crept up slightly to 75°F (24°C). By contrast, the number of daylight hours actually increases, from 10.5 to 11.5 hours daily.
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Read below for information about Miami weather in March (Photo credit – climate-data.org)
As Miami’s high season continues, the weather remains fairly constant still. You’ll see slightly longer days than in February, but levels and the number of days of rain remain steady. When it comes to temperatures, they are continuing to creep up, ranging from 66-77°F (19-25°C).
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Read below for information about Miami weather in April (Photo credit – climate-data.org)
The weather of the first three months of the year starts to see a subtle change in April. Temperatures rise further, with average lows of just 70°F (21°C) and highs of 79°F (26°C). The level of rainfall recorded also rises slightly, now reaching 2.75 inches, falling in showers over 4 days of the month.
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Read below for information about Miami weather in May (Photo credit – shutterstock.com)
May begins three months that experience an incredible 13.5 hours of daylight, although rainfall almost doubles to 5.2 inches over the entire month. It falls as relatively heavy showers, that on average take place on 7 days. Temperatures rise further, with lows of 73°F (23°C), and highs of 82°F (28°C).
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Read below for information about Miami weather in June (Photo credit – climate-data.org)
The middle of the year sees humidity levels in Miami rising. You’ll also risk the odd heavy shower, with 7.3 inches falling over 11 days in the month. Unsurprisingly then, the temperatures have also risen further, ranging from 77-86°F (25-30°C). June is also the beginning of the hurricane season, though storms hitting Miami are thankfully rare.
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Read below for information about Miami weather in July (Photo credit – climate-data.org)
Levels of rain drop back quite considerably as June turns to July, with levels falling back to 4 inches over just 9 days. You’ll still experience 13.5 hours of daylight in July, and temperatures hit their annual peaks, with lows of 79°F (26°C) and highs of 88°F (31°C).
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Read below for information about Miami weather in August (Photo credit – climate-data.org)
The end of high summer, average high and low temperatures are actually identical to the figures recorded for July, and though the hours of daylight are starting to get shorter, in August this is barely noticeable. Rainfall actually rises compared to July, hitting 5.2 inches falling in heavy showers over 11 of Miami’s otherwise sunny days.
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Read below for information about Miami weather in September (Photo credit – climate-data.org)
As the hurricane season continues, so do significant levels of rain and higher humidity levels. Rainfall hits the second-highest value of the year at 6.8 inches, which falls over 11 days just like in August, meaning showers are heavier than the previous month. Temperatures dip slightly, to highs of 86°F (30°C) and lows of 77°F (25°C).
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Read below for information about Miami weather in October (Photo credit – packforcity.com)
October sees levels of rain fall back for the remaining months of the year, with the month experiencing 8 days of rain totaling 4.7 inches. The city’s temperatures are also gently falling. In October you’ll therefore enjoy highs of 82°F (28°C) and lows of 75°F (24°C). The number of daylight hours has now dropped to a still-impressive 11.5 hours.
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Read below for information about Miami weather in November (Photo credit – climate-data.org)
November sees the end of the hurricane season and start of the peak tourist season. Humidity levels have decreased, though temperatures are still warm enough for the beach, ranging between 70 and 79°F (21 and 26°C). You’ll see just five days of rain on average, with a total of 3.2 inches.
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Read below for information about Miami weather in December (Photo credit – shutterstock.com)
Christmas in Miami sees temperatures no lower than 66°F (19°C), and as high as 75°F (24°C). In addition, December is the driest month in the Miami calendar. There’s only two inches of rain, which falls over just 4 days across the month. You’ll also be able to enjoy 10.5 hours of daylight.
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When it comes to weather, Miami Florida must be one of the world’s luckiest cities, renowned as it is for its good temperatures, warm seas, and clear skies throughout the year. Despite this, most people intending to visit the city stick to the traditional wisdom that the best time of year to visit Miami with reference to the weather is during the spring.
Spring’s long months of good weather begin in mid-February and stretches right through until May. During this time, you can expect to enjoy temperatures in the region of no lower than 64°F (18°C) at the start of the season. At the opposite end of the temperature range, average highs can easily hit the low seventies (or around 22°C).
The months of February, March, and April also see some of the lowest quantities of rainfall the city experiences, nestling between two and three inches. In addition, humidity levels don’t start to build and become uncomfortable until the latter part of this season, while the city is also free of any risk of hurricanes until long after Miami has seen June come through.
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Our list of the top events that take place annually in Miami show that it’s certainly a city that likes to party. That’s probably in no small part thanks to the fantastic weather conditions Miami is able to boast for much of the year. So, whether you’re thinking of heading to Miami to escape the chill of your home city, looking to take in the city’s cultural offerings, or hoping for some time on the beach, be sure to take note of our guide to the best time to visit Miami.
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Born in Los Angeles, Aaron Hovanesian is one of the original staff writers for Hotel Jules. Having backpacked the world as a young man, Aaron now prefers to travel the world in luxury, proudly staying in the world's most amazing hotels and properties. When Aaron is not traveling he lives in Western Colorado he can be found brewing his own beer (probably an IPA) or spending time with his two amazing golden retrievers.