Famed for its white sand beaches, wonderful Art Deco architecture and world-class nightlife, Miami is one of the most popular cities to visit in the States. Each year, millions come to see its iconic sights or enjoy its sun, sea and sand.
Thanks to its tropical climate, the coastal city is very hot almost all year round. Most people therefore visit in the warm winter months when its heat and humidity are not so oppressive. This peak period is, of course, more expensive and all its hotels, beaches and attractions are pretty busy. Both spring break and its carnival celebrations also attract large crowds.
To help you plan your trip, let’s take a look at what the weather is like and what big events are going on each month in the Magic City. We’ll also cover when prices are cheaper or more expensive and what the crowds are like too.
In this post, we’ll cover:
What’s the Weather Like in Miami?
Set in the southeast of Florida, the large metropolis lies in between the steamy Everglades wetlands to the west and sparkling Biscayne Bay to the east. Its climate is influenced by its position above the Tropic of Cancer and the nearby Gulf Stream that runs offshore.
Summers are very hot and humid with it also raining an incredible amount from June up to October. This is also the hurricane season when average temperatures are about 84 to 88°F (29 to 31°C). The sweltering heat and constant mugginess make it quite an unpleasant time of year to visit.
In contrast, the winter months are thankfully cooler with it also raining a lot less. Still sunny and warm, its days are best for ambling along Ocean Drive, seeing its Art Deco buildings or sunning yourself on the city’s spectacular beaches.
Best months to visit Miami
As its summers are very hot and humid, and see almost daily thunderstorms tip down, winter is by far the most popular time of year to visit. From December through February, conditions are perfect for lounging on its beautiful beaches or hitting up its pounding nightclubs. Prices are highest though but many of the city’s top events take place then too.
March to May is another lovely period to visit as the snowbirds escaping the colder climes in Canada, the US and Europe have headed home. Prices are lower and there are fewer crowds except for during spring break when wild parties break out everywhere. It’s also well worth taking day trips to places like the Everglades or Orlando’s theme parks while they’re quieter.
Miami in January
As it is one of the best months to visit Miami, January is generally quite busy with both hotel and airfare prices higher than in the summer. While the days are a bit shorter, temperatures of around 75°F (24°C) couldn’t be better for sightseeing or sunbathing. Loads of fun events take place with seasonal sites like Christmas Wonderland and Santa’s Enchanted Forest also staying open the first week.
After that, there is the colourful and quirky King Mango Strut Parade to take part in with the Miami Marathon also making its way through the city’s streets in January. Other than seeing all the latest looks modeled at Fashion Week, you can admire the attractive, historic houses and hotels in South Beach during its Art Deco Weekend. The South Florida Fair in West Palm Beach also has tons of exhilarating rides and exquisite food to try out.
Miami in February
Almost identical weatherwise, February is still the peak season when prices are highest and huge crowds throng about its beaches and boardwalks. Things do tend to quieten down a bit though midway through the month as many snowbirds head back up north. Its warm, sunny days are great for topping up your tan or taking tours about the Everglades while it’s dry.
Although Ocean Drive and its Art Deco District are busier, there are lots of other cool things going on too. On President’s Day weekend, for instance, Coconut Grove hosts its annual Arts Festival while knights, minstrels and magicians flock to the Florida Renaissance Festival.
The South Beach Wine & Food Festival also organizes over a hundred culinary events, catering to foodies. To top it all off, the elegant old Royal Palm Hotel puts on the week-long Winter Party Festival for the LGBTQ community.
Miami in March
Before the scorching heat and stifling humidity of summer set in, springs in Miami are pretty much the perfect season to explore the city. With the weather warming up a bit and its days now lasting longer, you can stroll about Little Havana or hang out at the picturesque Crandon Park. Prices for hotels and flights remain expensive though, especially during spring break when thousands head to Miami Beach to sunbathe, party and enjoy its watersports.
While March is always a busy month, there’s an infectious energy about Miami with exciting events taking place everywhere. The nation’s largest Latin music festival, Calle Ocho, is held while the Miami Open Tennis Tournament instead attracts sports fans.
Its Miami Music Week and Ultra Music Festival also have great concerts and DJ sets to listen to. If the crowds get too much, you can kayak or snorkel about Biscayne National Park’s mangroves and reefs.
Miami in April
Once spring break is over and the college students have headed home, April is much quieter and cheaper in Miami. Average temperatures now hit 80°F (27°C) with there being about 10 hours of sunshine each day. Before the rains pick up in May, it’s a fabulous month to explore the Everglades or sunbathe, swim and enjoy watersports along the coast.
Aside from sauntering about the Art Deco District or along the Miami Beach Boardwalk, you can take in the exotic plants and orchids at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. Many also visit Orlando’s famous amusement parks which are a bit less crowded, except for around the Easter holidays.
You can also catch movie screenings at the Miami Film Festival or take part in parades and parties for Pride.
Miami in May
The beginning of May is also a good time to visit weatherwise before the heat and humidity steadily increase later in the month. While its waters also warm up – making for some lovely swimming and scuba diving – it does rain rather a lot for 11 days on average. Both airfares and accommodation are more affordable now as tourist numbers start to dwindle.
As the hot weather is ideal for soaking up some sun, you can always visit Fort Lauderdale’s beaches or see its thrilling Air Show when stunt pilots shoot overhead. Miami Beach also puts on a similar spectacle later in May while military displays, concerts and parties are held for Memorial Day weekend too.
Before hurricane season hits, this is the last month you can hop on an unforgettable cruise around the Caribbean.
Miami in June
June sees the heavens open up above Miami and fierce thunderstorms drench the city. Aside from being very wet and rainy for about 16 days on average, its extreme heat and humidity make sightseeing unpleasant. As hurricanes can also hit, very few holidaymakers arrive with hotels and flights being cheaper as a result.
While its rain showers are frequent and heavy, the skies usually clear up quickly, giving way to resplendent sunshine. If you do visit, you’ll find the beaches and parks almost empty with many tourists making the most of the air-conditioning in its museums and malls. There are also lots of superb screenings to catch at the American Black Film Festival.
Miami in July
As people have summer holidays, July is a bit busier despite it being the hurricane season. Average temperatures hit 88°F (31°C), with its sweat-inducing humidity also sticking around until October. On the plus side, it rains a lot less with most of its downpours occurring in the afternoon.
As such, you can have some wonderful beach days, sunbathing and swimming or even scuba diving and dolphin watching at Key West and Biscayne National Park.
During the low season, prices for hotels are very reasonable though airfares are often more expensive. If you’re not topping up your tan, you’ll want to cool off somewhere with aircon as sightseeing is unenjoyable in the heat.
Some amazing live music and epic fireworks displays are also held for the 4th of July. Otherwise celebs and cosplayers, anime lovers and gamers all descend upon the Miami Beach Convention Center for the Florida Supercon.
Miami in August
August also sees more people visit Miami though the weather is almost exactly the same as July but even rainier. With torrential downpours soaking the city for 18 days on average, it’s best to take an umbrella with you wherever you go.
From the middle of the month onwards, hurricanes often hit the coast, disrupting travel plans and causing beaches to close.
Despite this and the swarms of mosquitoes that buzz around, more tourists do arrive due to the summer holidays. Numbers are still low though so you’ll easily be able to find space on its beaches when it’s not raining.
Most people instead spend time at places like Dolphin Mall or splashing around in the Venetian Pool. To entice diners, lots of establishments offer deals as part of its Miami Spice Restaurant Months initiative.
Miami in September
With all the summer crowds now gone and the terrible weather persisting, September is one of the quietest months in town. After Labor Day weekend parties, concerts and parades take place, both hotel prices and airfares are very affordable. Although still very rainy, most of its downpours occur in the evening or early morning if you want to hit up the beach in the meantime.
If you can stand the sweltering heat and humidity, you can enjoy sunbathing, swimming and watersports or go sightseeing when it’s not raining. Popular areas like Ocean Drive and Little Havana will be a lot less busy if you want to get a more local feel for the city.
Besides trying top restaurants for Miami Spice, you can watch the Miami Dolphins kick off their NFL season at the Hard Rock Stadium.
Miami in October
Although the weather is still very wet, the number of tourists visiting Miami finally increases in October as the humidity is much more manageable. Temperatures of 84°F (29°C) are still a bit hot for sightseeing though with it also raining rather a lot for 14 days on average.
Once the skies clear, you can lounge about at Lummus Park Beach and swim in its warm waters.
As it is still the low season and hurricanes can hit, prices are very reasonable with its tourist sights, hotels and beaches all not too crowded. Other than seeing the Land Crabs and White Pelicans that migrate to South Florida, you can sample sumptuous beers at Grovetoberfest.
Its colourful carnival is also loads of fun to take part in as are its spooky Halloween parties.
Miami in November
As it rains a lot less and the heat and humidity are a bit lower, November is a lovely month to visit Miami. While there are now ‘just’ 7 hours of sunshine and 11 of daylight per day, you should have ample time to see its attractions or sunbathe and swim in the sea. Any showers are usually light, short and in the evening with the hurricane season now having passed.
With conditions being drier, you can explore the enormous Everglades or enjoy kiteboarding and windsurfing along the coast. It’s not a bad time to visit Orlando’s theme parks or places like Key West and Fort Lauderdale before they get crowded. Holiday lights and decorations are strung up with parades and parties also held for Thanksgiving.
Miami in December
December is the absolute peak season in Miami when absolutely everywhere is packed and hotel prices are at their highest. Popular spots such as Ocean Drive, its Art Deco District and Little Havana are all heaving.
As temperatures average 75°F (24°C) and the weather is dry, the sunny days couldn’t be better for enjoying its beaches and boardwalks. Many snowbirds arrive for winter with plenty of tourists also coming to spend Christmas in the warmth.
Besides trying out some exciting watersports and hitting up its trendy nightclubs, there are tons of events to attend too. Aside from Art Basel’s interesting exhibitions, there are cheery Christmas markets to stroll around while the Winterfest Boat Parade takes place offshore.
At the end of the month, live music and fireworks displays are held at Bayfront Park for New Year’s Eve with plenty of other parties popping up all around town.
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