Florida weather and outdoor projects
Florida is warm all year, so the limit for outdoor projects is usually rain and humidity, not cold. The rainy season runs from about late May to October, with afternoon thunderstorms most days. During those months, start early and plan to finish by early afternoon. The dry season from about November to April is the easiest time for staining, painting and sealing.
South Florida around Miami almost never freezes, while North Florida around Jacksonville gets some frosty nights in winter. High humidity and heavy dew can keep surfaces damp in the morning, and mildew grows quickly on shaded walls and decks. Hurricane season (June through November) can bring days of rain and strong winds.
Frost dates in Florida
Miami almost never freezes on average, so frost rarely limits outdoor projects there, though a cold snap can still bring a freezing night.
Orlando freezes only about 2 nights a year on average, so frost rarely limits outdoor projects there, though a cold snap can still bring a freezing night.
In Jacksonville, the median last spring freeze (32°F) is around February 25 and the median first fall freeze is around December 7, a frost-free season of about 288 days.
Frost dates matter for concrete, which must not freeze in its first 48 hours, for paint and caulk that need nights above their minimum, and for lawn care, since crabgrass preventer goes down as the soil warms in spring. See how late in fall you can stain, paint or seal.
Best time to stain a deck in Florida
In Miami, the most reliable months are November–May. July and October can also work on the right days. June and August–September average about 13 days a month with a tenth of an inch of rain or more, which makes long dry stretches hard to find. July is hot, with highs near 91°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun. October averages about 9 wet days a month, so wait for a clear stretch.
In Orlando, the most reliable months are October–April. May–September can also work on the right days. May–September is hot, with highs near 90°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.
In Jacksonville, the most reliable months are March–May and October–November. June–September and December–February can also work on the right days. In December–February, nights average about 45°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. June–September is hot, with highs near 90°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.
Check this week’s hour-by-hour verdict with the deck staining forecast.
Best time to paint outside in Florida
In Miami, the most reliable months are November–May. July and October can also work on the right days. June and August–September average about 13 days a month with a tenth of an inch of rain or more, which makes long dry stretches hard to find. July is hot, with highs near 91°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun. October averages about 9 wet days a month, so wait for a clear stretch.
In Orlando, the most reliable months are October–April. May–September can also work on the right days. May–September is hot, with highs near 90°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.
In Jacksonville, the most reliable months are February–May and October–December. January and June–September can also work on the right days. In January, nights average about 43°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. June–September is hot, with highs near 90°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.
Check this week’s hour-by-hour verdict with the exterior painting forecast.
Best time to pour concrete in Florida
In Miami, the most reliable months are July and October–May. June and August–September can also work on the right days. June and August–September average about 13 wet days a month, so wait for a clear stretch.
In Orlando, a typical month suits this job all year round.
In Jacksonville, the most reliable months are March–November. December–February can also work on the right days. December–February brings about 4 freezing nights a month, so pick a mild spell and keep curing blankets on hand.
Check this week’s hour-by-hour verdict with the concrete pouring forecast.
Best time to seal a driveway in Florida
In Miami, the most reliable months are November–May. July and October can also work on the right days. June and August–September average about 13 days a month with a tenth of an inch of rain or more, which makes long dry stretches hard to find. July and October average about 10 wet days a month, so wait for a clear stretch.
In Orlando, the most reliable months are February–May and October–December. January and June–September can also work on the right days. In January, nights average about 50°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. June–September averages about 11 wet days a month, so wait for a clear stretch.
In Jacksonville, the most reliable months are April–May and October. June–September and November–March can also work on the right days. December–January is cool, with highs around 67°F, so choose the warmest afternoons. In February–March and November, nights average about 49°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. June–September averages about 10 wet days a month, so wait for a clear stretch.
Check this week’s hour-by-hour verdict with the driveway sealing forecast.
Best time to fertilize or treat a lawn in Florida
In Miami, the most reliable months are October–April. May–September can also work on the right days. May–September is hot, with highs near 89°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.
In Orlando, the most reliable months are October–April. May–September can also work on the right days. May–September is hot, with highs near 90°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.
In Jacksonville, the most reliable months are October–May. June–September can also work on the right days. June–September is hot, with highs near 90°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.
Check this week’s hour-by-hour verdict with the lawn fertilizer forecast.
How the weather differs across Florida
| Place | Hottest month avg high | Coldest month avg low | Rain per year | Last spring freeze | First fall freeze |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami | 91°F | 61°F | 67 in | Rare | Rare |
| Orlando | 92°F | 50°F | 51 in | Rare | Rare |
| Jacksonville | 92°F | 43°F | 53 in | February 25 | December 7 |
Of the places above, Orlando has the most good months for staining, painting and concrete combined (26 job-months), and Jacksonville has the fewest (21). If you live between them, expect something in between, and higher ground to be cooler with a shorter season.
Monthly weather in Miami
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Wet days* | Rain | 3 PM humidity | Freezing nights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 76°F | 61°F | 4 | 1.8 in | 57% | 0 |
| February | 78°F | 63°F | 4 | 2.1 in | 56% | 0 |
| March | 81°F | 66°F | 4 | 2.5 in | 54% | 0 |
| April | 84°F | 70°F | 4 | 3.4 in | 55% | 0 |
| May | 87°F | 73°F | 7 | 6.3 in | 58% | 0 |
| June | 89°F | 76°F | 13 | 10.5 in | 65% | 0 |
| July | 91°F | 78°F | 11 | 7.4 in | 64% | 0 |
| August | 91°F | 78°F | 13 | 9.6 in | 65% | 0 |
| September | 89°F | 77°F | 13 | 10.2 in | 67% | 0 |
| October | 86°F | 74°F | 9 | 7.7 in | 63% | 0 |
| November | 81°F | 68°F | 5 | 3.5 in | 60% | 0 |
| December | 78°F | 64°F | 4 | 2.4 in | 60% | 0 |
*Days with at least 0.1 inch of rain or melted snow. Freezing nights: average nights a month at or below 32°F. Humidity is calculated from NOAA hourly normal temperature and dew point at 3 PM.
Monthly weather in Orlando
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Wet days* | Rain | 3 PM humidity | Freezing nights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 72°F | 50°F | 4 | 2.5 in | 50% | 1 |
| February | 75°F | 52°F | 4 | 2.0 in | 47% | 0 |
| March | 79°F | 56°F | 4 | 3.0 in | 43% | 0 |
| April | 84°F | 61°F | 4 | 2.6 in | 44% | 0 |
| May | 88°F | 66°F | 6 | 4.0 in | 47% | 0 |
| June | 91°F | 72°F | 12 | 8.1 in | 58% | 0 |
| July | 92°F | 73°F | 12 | 7.5 in | 60% | 0 |
| August | 92°F | 74°F | 12 | 7.7 in | 61% | 0 |
| September | 90°F | 72°F | 9 | 6.4 in | 61% | 0 |
| October | 85°F | 66°F | 5 | 3.5 in | 55% | 0 |
| November | 78°F | 58°F | 3 | 1.8 in | 53% | 0 |
| December | 74°F | 53°F | 4 | 2.5 in | 54% | 0 |
Monthly weather in Jacksonville
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Wet days* | Rain | 3 PM humidity | Freezing nights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 66°F | 43°F | 5 | 3.3 in | 51% | 6 |
| February | 69°F | 46°F | 5 | 2.9 in | 48% | 3 |
| March | 74°F | 51°F | 6 | 3.3 in | 45% | 1 |
| April | 80°F | 56°F | 4 | 2.9 in | 47% | 0 |
| May | 86°F | 64°F | 5 | 3.4 in | 50% | 0 |
| June | 90°F | 71°F | 10 | 7.6 in | 59% | 0 |
| July | 92°F | 73°F | 10 | 6.8 in | 61% | 0 |
| August | 91°F | 73°F | 10 | 6.9 in | 62% | 0 |
| September | 87°F | 71°F | 8 | 7.6 in | 64% | 0 |
| October | 81°F | 62°F | 5 | 4.0 in | 58% | 0 |
| November | 73°F | 51°F | 4 | 2.0 in | 55% | 1 |
| December | 68°F | 46°F | 4 | 2.8 in | 56% | 4 |
Use the averages, then check the forecast
These ratings describe a typical month, not a particular week. A warm spell in a “poor” month can give you a good day, and a wet week can spoil a “good” one. Use this page to plan the season, then check the 7-day forecast for your ZIP code before you buy materials or book help. Each project forecast checks the hours after you finish too: overnight lows, dew and rain that would ruin fresh stain, paint, sealer or concrete.
About this data
Monthly temperatures, rain days, snowfall and freeze dates are NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) U.S. Climate Normals for 1991–2020 at MIAMI INTL AP, ORLANDO INTL AP, JACKSONVILLE. Ratings apply the same temperature limits as our forecasts (for example, 50°F or warmer for deck stain and driveway sealer, and no freezing nights for new concrete) to the average month. Your product label always takes priority.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to stain a deck in Florida?
In Miami, November–May. In Orlando, October–April. In Jacksonville, March–May and October–November. Look for at least 24 dry hours before and after, and nights above about 40°F. The deck staining forecast checks your exact week.
When is the last frost in Florida?
Miami almost never freezes; Orlando freezes only about 2 nights a year; Jacksonville: around February 25. These are median dates from NOAA 1991–2020 normals, so a freeze after them happens in about half of years. Low spots and valleys freeze later in spring.
Can you pour concrete in winter in Florida?
Usually yes. Miami averages almost no freezing nights from December to February. Cover the slab if a rare freeze is forecast in the first 48 hours, and cure it as usual.
What months are best for sealing a driveway in Florida?
In Miami, November–May. In Orlando, February–May and October–December. In Jacksonville, April–May and October. Most sealers need 50°F or warmer for 24 hours and a dry day after. See the driveway sealing forecast.