Florida December Weather:
Temperatures, Rain and Humidity

Florida December Weather — The Short Answer

Florida in December is not one climate — it is four. The state stretches over 500 miles from north to south, and that geography creates dramatically different December experiences depending on where you are. South Florida genuinely feels like summer to most visitors from the northern US. The Panhandle, by contrast, experiences a real winter with cold fronts, occasional frost, and overnight lows that can touch the upper 20s°F.

According to the Florida State University Climate Center, which serves as the official state climatologist office, December is one of Florida’s driest months and sees some of the clearest skies of the year — a direct result of the dry air that cold fronts bring from the north. NOAA’s 1991–2020 climate normals confirm that December statewide averages 60.9°F, which masks an enormous range from the Keys to the Panhandle.

Air Temperatures by Region

Florida divides naturally into four climate regions in December. Each behaves differently and requires different packing and planning.

City-by-City Temperature Data

The table below uses NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 Climate Normals — the official 30-year average used by meteorologists and climatologists worldwide.

Ocean and Water Temperatures in December

Florida has two distinct ocean environments in December — the Atlantic Ocean on the east coast and the Gulf of Mexico on the west coast. They behave differently. The Atlantic retains heat longer into winter, making Miami Beach and the Palm Beaches the warmest coastal swimming spots in the continental US in December. The Gulf cools faster in autumn but also warms earlier in spring.

According to NOAA’s Coastal Water Temperature Guide, the threshold where most people feel comfortable swimming without a wetsuit is around 70°F. The table below shows which areas meet that threshold in December.

Humidity in Florida in December

Humidity is one of the most misunderstood aspects of Florida’s December weather. Many visitors expect the thick, oppressive humidity of July — but December is fundamentally different. Cold fronts from the north regularly flush the state with dry continental air, dropping relative humidity dramatically, especially in North and Central Florida. The days following a cold front passage are often the clearest, driest days of the year.

South Florida retains more humidity year-round due to warm ocean temperatures and proximity to the tropics. As the hygrometer data from Miami shows, relative humidity in December typically ranges from 53% to 88% — mornings are humid, but afternoons with sea breezes feel comfortable and far drier than summer. Understanding how humidity varies with temperature helps explain why the same 70% relative humidity feels oppressive in August but comfortable in December.

Rainfall in December

December is one of the driest months in Florida’s calendar. The state’s summer rainy season — driven by daily afternoon thunderstorms from June through September — is long over by December. What rain does fall comes from cold fronts pushing south from the continental US, typically producing brief showers rather than prolonged downpours.

According to FSU Climate Center data, December 2024 saw below-normal precipitation across most of the state, with about 29% of Florida in moderate drought by month’s end. December 2025 was similarly dry. The statewide average of roughly 2 inches in December compares to 7–9 inches in July and August.

North Florida and the Panhandle receive significantly more rain in December than South and Central Florida because they are more directly exposed to cold front systems that bring prolonged rain before clearing. South Florida receives less frontal rain and benefits from drier conditions behind those same fronts.

Cold Fronts and December Weather Patterns

Understanding Florida’s December weather requires understanding cold fronts. The ability to read the sky and interpret changing conditions is especially useful in Florida in winter, where the weather can shift dramatically in 24 hours. According to the National Weather Service, Florida typically sees 4–6 cold front passages in December, each producing a distinct three-phase pattern.

What to Pack for Florida in December

Packing for Florida in December depends entirely on which part of the state you are visiting. The single biggest mistake visitors make is packing either too light (forgetting that evenings in Central and North Florida can hit the 40s°F) or too heavy (bringing a heavy winter coat to Miami). Here is a region-specific packing guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Published: April 20, 2026 · Data: NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 Climate Normals · FSU Climate Center · Reviewed by Lena Thornton, CWOP Certified Observer

Lena Thornton Weather Tech Specialist · CWOP Certified Observer

Lena covers weather science, home weather monitoring and severe weather preparedness at The-Weather.com. As a CWOP-certified observer, she uses verified station data and official climate records rather than forecasting models alone. About Lena →

Sources: NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020 · FSU Florida Climate Center · NOAA Coastal Water Temperature Guide · National Weather Service