Best Time to Visit Miami, Florida

The best time to visit Miami, FL, is in the spring months, between mid-February and May. These months fall on the edge of Miami’s peak winter tourism season, offering smaller crowds and lower prices.

The weather in Miami during these months is pleasant, too. Average temperatures in spring hover around the mid-70s, avoiding the uncomfortable peaks of the hot and humid summer months. (And, of course, hurricane season!)

While Miami is mostly a year-round travel destination, it’s not as simple as just packing your bags and sliding into South Beach. Learn the nuances of exactly when to go to Miami with this complete weather guide by season and by month!

Weather in Miami

By season

Spring

If you can only visit Miami in one season, make it spring. Stretching from March to May, the spring months offer warm temperatures and sunny days. Highs reach into the 80s without inching into the extreme heat and humidity of summer.

The spring shoulder season is the ideal time of year to spend your days outside, soaking up the sun and digging into all of Miami’s fun outdoor activities. Wander along iconic Ocean Drive in South Beach, admiring the finest samples of Miami Beach’s Art Deco Historic District. With average sea temperatures increasing from winter lows, spring is also a popular time to hit popular beaches like South Pointe Beach in the South of Fifth (SoFi) area of Miami Beach.

Street in Miami Beach

Several festivals and events also slide through Miami in spring. EDM fans will want to save time in their Miami itinerary for the Ultra Music Festival, featuring a spectacular lineup of world-famous DJs.

Although spring isn’t as busy as the winter high season, it’s still a good idea to make your reservations well ahead of time. The best hotels in Miami tend to fill up fast, especially if your visit falls during the city’s infamous spring break weeks.

Summer

You’ll start to question the idea that Miami is a year-round destination gets when you start looking at traveling during the summer months.

Temperatures in summer can get uncomfortably hot, reaching into the high-90s at times even. Add to that high rainfall and humidity—and the looming hurricane season!—and you’ll see why visiting Miami in summer is sub-optimal.

Skyline and Palms

Along with the heat and humidity, summer is the height of mosquito season in South Florida. If you’re planning to spend time in the outdoorsier tourist attractions in Miami in the evenings or after rainfall, be sure to load up on bug spray.

All that said, beach bums might find summer to be the best season to visit Miami. In summer, the Atlantic Ocean waters are at their warmest, with superb waves for surfing.

Summer events to check out in Miami include the Swim Week fashion event and the Miami Spice food festival.

Fall

Compared to much of the year, things quiet down in Miami as the summer winds to an end. And there’s a good reason for this: The fall months fall in the heart of hurricane season, lasting until November. As such, you should expect plenty of rain to go along with the heat and humidity.

Lummus Park Beach

If you’re undeterred by the risk of tropical storms, the fall months will let you enjoy much of the city without the usual tourist bustle. Accommodation prices will also be near their lowest (and availability at its highest) in autumn.

Winter

Looking to escape the less-than-ideal North American winter? Pack your bags for Miami! There’s a reason that winter is the tourist high season in Miami: The winter season brings with it warm temperatures that are rare elsewhere in the northern half of North America.

South Beach Aerial in Evening

Winter marks the end of hurricane season—and, with it, tourists once again flocking to the best beaches in Miami. Crowds in the winter months are, understandably, denser than at other times of the year. Still, you should have no problem carving yourself a pristine spot on the sand if you’re crafty enough.

As winter is the peak season for tourists, expect to pay more for your accommodations. Book well in advance if you want any chance to score good hotel deals. 

By month

January

With its tropical climate, visiting Miami in January is a breath of fresh air compared to most travel destinations in the United States. Although temperatures are cooler than in the summer months, Miami is lovely in January. Average highs sit around 73ºF (23ºC), while average daytime temperatures hover around 68ºF (20ºC).

January is also one of the driest months of the year in Miami. The city sees just nine rain days on average in January, with just 71 mm of average rainfall.

If you’re visiting in January, don’t miss out on Miami’s famous Art Deco Weekend. Explore the largest collection of Art Deco architecture in the country while taking part in fun festivities, from guided tours to live music.

February

Like January, February is a pleasant month in Miami weather-wise. Average highs creep a tad higher to 75ºF (24ºC). Daytime temperatures stay the same as the previous month at about 68ºF (20ºC).

Beaten only December, February is the second-driest month in Miami. You can expect plenty of sunny days, with just six rain days on average and only 53 mm of rainfall.

Although cooler than the spring, the average sea temperatures of 75ºF (24ºC) mean that February is still a great month to go swimming in the Atlantic Ocean.

March

The tail-end of the winter high tourist season, March starts to see temperatures rise as spring approaches. Average highs begin to inch toward the 80s, settling around 79ºF (26ºC). Daytime temperatures hover around 76ºF (25ºC) in March.

South Beach Miami

Rainfall increases every so slightly in March, with 66 mm falling over about seven days on average. Still, you can expect plenty of sunshine in this first spring month. Seven hours of daylight is the norm.

If you’re planning a trip in March, keep in mind that this month is the peak spring break season. In mid-March, thousands of college students from around the United States descend upon Miami Beach to experience the city’s legendary nightlife and party the night away in its clubs.

Despite the spring break crowds, EDM fans will want to pencil Miami Music Week into their vacation plans. Every year in late March, Miami’s population swells as electronic music fans from all around the world gather in neighborhoods around the city for a week-long music marathon. 

April

In the first full month of spring, everything rises in Miami, from temperatures to rainfall to daylight hours. Average highs finally peek into the 80s, at around 81ºF (27ºC). Daytime averages also slide up to 80ºF (27ºC). Evenings warm up, too, with most hovering in the mid-70s.

April sees a bit more rainfall than the winter months. About 81 mm of precipitation falls on average in April over about seven days.

One of the city’s biggest annual festivals, Miami Beach Pride, takes place in April, celebrating the arts & culture of the city’s LGBTQ+ community. If you’re visiting Miami during Pride Week, expect higher hotel rates and be sure to book your rooms well in advance.

May

As spring trucks on into May, the rising temperatures begin to bring along increased rainfall. In May, the number of rainy days jumps from 7 to 12, with the average rainfall more than doubling to 173 mm.

Daytime highs lift up to 84ºF (29ºC), with average sea temperatures creeping up to 81ºF (27ºC). May is a great time to take a dip in the ocean to cool down at the city’s top beaches, including South Beach. The evenings are increasingly pleasant, too; you should be able to chill outside most nights, with averages in the high-70s.

With the extra precipitation in May, be sure to pack a solid rain jacket and an umbrella.

June

The infamous Miami heat really starts to ramp up in June, the first official month of summer. Average daytime temperatures soar to 84ºF (29ºC). Be sure to drink plenty of water to prevent heat exhaustion in the hot summer sun.

With the heat and humidity, it shouldn’t be surprising that June is one of the wettest months of the year. An average of 178 mm of rain falls in June, with over 13 days on average.

Ocean Drive in South Beach

June also marks the start of hurricane season. Although landfall becomes more likely between mid-August and November, the chance of hurricanes is still something that’s worth considering when forging your travel plans for your vacation getaway. Thunderstorms are also common in June, so be sure to prepare accordingly.

If taking a dip in the Atlantic is on your travel bucket list, June is one of the best times of the year to do it in Miami. Average sea temperatures warm up to a balmy 84ºF (29ºC).

July

Miami’s tropical climate really hits its apex moving into July. One of the hottest months of the year, July sees average daily temperatures rise to 82ºF (28ºC) as average highs soar to around 88ºF (31ºC). With average sea temperatures holding steady at 84ºF (29ºC), it’s a great month to cool off in the Atlantic Ocean.

Although not quite as wet as May or June in volume, July still sees an average of 155 mm of rain, with 15 rain days. With the extreme heat & humidity, and ever-looming threat of rainfall, July is a good month to explore indoor attractions like Miami’s cool museums or dining in the city’s top restaurants.

August

The last full official month of summer in Miami, August is much of the same as the previous two months. Average temperatures still hover around 82ºF (28ºC), with average highs still at a balmy 88ºF (31ºC).

Although August is the second-driest summer month in Miami, it still sees an average of 160 mm of rain and 15 rainy days.

Mid-August also marks the beginning of the peak of Florida’s hurricane season. If you’re planning to travel to Miami in August, be sure to follow local reports and plan your itinerary accordingly.

September

The end of September marks the official beginning of the fall season. And you wouldn’t know it by the temperatures! Like the summer months, September experiences a ton of heat and humidity.

Hurricane Sandy

Average temperatures stick around 82ºF (28ºC), with average highs still around 88ºF (31ºC). As you might expect with the heat, September is the second-rainiest month of the year. Over 200 mm falls on average, with a whopping 18 days of rain!

September is the peak of hurricane season, and the likelihood of experiencing tropical storms is at its highest during this month. Needless to say, if you’re planning to visit Miami in September, keep on the lookout for local weather reports.

October

With hurricane season still in swing, October isn’t one of the best months to travel to Miami. Although it finally offers (some) relief from the summer heat and humidity, October is the wettest month of the year in Miami. An average of 234 mm of rain falls over 16 rain days, tapering off towards the end of the month.

If the rain doesn’t scare you off, October still offers comfortable temperatures. Average daily temperatures dip slightly to 77ºF (25ºC), with highs dropping to a more manageable 82ºF (28ºC).

November

Marking the official end of hurricane season, November shows a quick decline in rainfall. Just 71 mm of precipitation falls in the final official month of fall over just ten rain days on average.

Although cooler than October, average temperatures in November still sit at a comfy 73ºF (23ºC). Average highs finally slip out of the 80s, settling at 79ºF (26ºC).

Although usually held in spring, Miami Fashion Week 2023 will be held in November. If you’re lucky enough to score an invite to this exclusive event, you’ll get to enjoy an array of festivities around the city, combining fashion, culture, and art.

December

Want to skip the harsh North American winter? You can hardly do better on the continent than visiting Miami in December!

As much of North America begins its winter deep-freeze, Miami is still rockin’ out temperatures in the low- to mid-70s. Average highs creep as high as 75ºF (24ºC), making a winter escape a real possibility.

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

On top of the mild to warm temperatures, December is the driest month of the year in Miami. The city only sees about 51 mm of rain on average, falling over just seven days.

The downside? December also marks the beginning of the peak tourist season in Miami. Expect fewer deals on flights, more limited hotel availability, and higher hotel prices in December. Top tourist destinations in the city, including Miami Beach, really start to fill up in the last month of the year.

Treksplorer

Ryan O'Rourke is a seasoned traveler and the founder & editor of Treksplorer, a fiercely independent guide to mid-range luxury travel for busy people. With over 20 years of extensive travel experience, Ryan has journeyed through over 50 countries, uncovering hidden gems and sharing firsthand, unsponsored insights on what to see & do and where to eat, drink & stay. Backed by his travel experience and in-depth research, Ryan’s travel advice and writing has been featured in publications like the Huffington Post and Matador Network. You can connect with Ryan on Twitter/X at @rtorourke.

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