Last updated October 16, 2026
Miami is warm all year, with a hot, humid, stormy wet season from about May to October and a mild, sunny dry season from about November to April. The average high runs from about 76°F in January to about 91°F in July and August, and lows almost never fall below 60°F on average. The city gets about 67 inches of rain a year, and roughly three-quarters of it falls from May through October. That same stretch overlaps hurricane season (June 1 to November 30), the county’s heat season, and the fall king tides.
Does Miami have seasons?
Not the four you may be used to. Miami has two: a wet season and a dry season. The rainy season officially runs from about May 15 to October 15. In practice, locals say “summer” for May through October and “winter” for the rest.
- Wet season (about May to October), highs in the upper 80s to low 90s, lows in the mid-70s, and sticky air. From June through September it rains on 17 to 19 days a month, usually as a short, heavy afternoon thunderstorm rather than an all-day drizzle.
- Dry season (about November to April), highs in the upper 70s to low 80s, lower humidity, and far less rain. January through March each average under 2.5 inches. Cold fronts bring a few cooler, drier days, which is when you’ll see people in jackets.
Humidity stays high all year. NOAA’s normals put average relative humidity at about 73% for the year, rising to the upper 70s in late summer. That is why 90°F in Miami feels much hotter than 90°F in a dry city.
What is Miami weather like by month?
These are the official 1991-2020 climate normals for Miami International Airport. Normals are 30-year averages, so any single year can run hotter or wetter.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Avg rain | Rainy days | What it feels like |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 76°F | 61°F | 1.8 in | 8 | Coolest month, dry, sunny |
| February | 78°F | 63°F | 2.2 in | 7 | Dry, pleasant |
| March | 81°F | 66°F | 2.5 in | 6 | Warm, still dry |
| April | 84°F | 70°F | 3.4 in | 7 | Warming up, humidity creeping back |
| May | 87°F | 73°F | 6.3 in | 11 | Rainy season starts mid-month |
| June | 89°F | 76°F | 10.5 in | 18 | Wettest month, daily storms |
| July | 91°F | 78°F | 7.4 in | 17 | Hot and humid |
| August | 91°F | 78°F | 9.6 in | 19 | Hottest stretch, hurricane risk rising |
| September | 89°F | 77°F | 10.2 in | 18 | Peak hurricane month, king tides start |
| October | 86°F | 74°F | 7.7 in | 14 | Rainy season ends mid-month, king tides |
| November | 81°F | 68°F | 3.5 in | 9 | Drier, first cool fronts |
| December | 78°F | 64°F | 2.4 in | 8 | Mild and dry |
| Year | 84°F | 71°F | 67.4 in | 141 |
Rainy days count days with at least 0.01 inch of rain. Source: NOAA NCEI 1991-2020 normals for Miami International Airport, as published by NWS Miami.
When is hurricane season in Miami, and how worried should I be?
The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30. The National Hurricane Center says the season peaks around September 10, with most activity between mid-August and mid-October. In an average season (1991-2020), the Atlantic sees 14 named storms, 7 hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes. Most never hit Miami, but you should plan as if one could.
How has the 2026 season gone so far?
Very quiet, so far. A strong El Niño has brought wind shear that tore storms apart. NOAA cut its forecast in August to 7-13 named storms and 2-6 hurricanes. There was no hurricane at all until Isaias strengthened on October 7, which tied a 1905 storm for the latest first hurricane on record. Isaias was the ninth named storm of the year. It made landfall as a Category 2 near Destin, in the Panhandle, on October 9. South Florida was not hit. The season still runs to November 30, and forecasters warn that October storms can form fast close to Florida, so a quiet year is no reason to skip preparing.
How hot does Miami get, and what is heat season?
The bigger danger than the thermometer reading is the heat index, which combines temperature and humidity into a “feels like” number. Miami-Dade County runs a heat season from May 1 through October 31. The county says the number of days above 90°F has climbed from an average of 84 a year in 1970 to 133 a year now.
- Heat advisory, issued by NWS Miami for Miami-Dade and Broward when the heat index is forecast above 105°F for at least two hours.
- Extreme heat warning, issued when the heat index is expected to top 110°F.
- In practice, on August 1, 2026, for example, NWS issued an advisory for Miami-Dade and Broward as the heat index passed 105°F.
On heat advisory days, do outdoor errands before 10 a.m. or after sunset, carry water, and check on neighbors. The county lists public cooling sites on its Extreme Heat page. If you’re comparing apartments, a working central A/C unit matters more than almost any other amenity. Ask how fast the landlord fixes it, and budget for a higher summer power bill. Our guide to the cost of living in Miami covers monthly utility costs.
Does Miami flood, and what are king tides?
Yes. Miami floods in two ways: heavy rain that drains slowly, and high tides that push seawater into low streets. King tides are the highest tides of the year. They happen when a new or full moon lines up with the moon’s closest point to Earth, and in South Florida they’re strongest in the fall, roughly September through November.
Miami sits on porous limestone, so seawater can bubble up through the ground and back up through storm drains blocks from the water, even on a sunny day. In fall 2026, WLRN and the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network flagged king tide windows on October 7-13, October 24-30, November 6-9 and November 23-26. Flooding can start about two hours before the predicted high tide and last about two hours after it.
- Don’t drive through standing water. Saltwater corrodes brakes and the underside of cars.
- Check the street, not just the unit. Before you sign a lease, ask whether the block or the parking garage floods during king tides or big storms.
- Know your city’s alerts. The City of Miami posts king tide dates and tips on its website.
How should I prepare for Miami weather as a newcomer?
Most of this costs little, and it’s much easier to do in your first month than when a storm is in the forecast. Add it to your first 30 days in Miami list.
- Look up your evacuation zone. Miami-Dade uses storm surge planning zones A through E. Zone A is at risk in a Category 1 storm, while Zone E is at risk only in a Category 5. Enter your address in the county’s zone lookup at miamidade.gov.
- Get renters insurance, and read what it leaves out. Standard renters and homeowners policies usually don’t cover flood damage. Your landlord’s policy covers the building, not your things.
- Consider flood insurance. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) lets renters insure their belongings for up to $100,000. Most policies take 30 days to start, and insurers stop writing new coverage once a storm warning is issued. Buy it before June 1, not when a storm is coming. FloodSmart.gov explains how to buy a policy.
- Build a basic hurricane kit. Get water, nonperishable food, medications, a flashlight, a battery radio and chargers, and keep copies of your ID and lease. Since August 1, 2025, Florida has permanently exempted many supplies from sales tax, including AA, AAA, C, D, 6-volt and 9-volt batteries, portable generators up to 10,000 running watts, gas cans of 5 gallons or less, and tarps.
- Plan for a few days without power. Keep phones charged, fill your car’s tank when a storm is forecast, and know where you’d go if you had to leave.
- Dress for the climate. Pack light, breathable clothes, a small umbrella, sandals that can get wet, and sunscreen. A light jacket covers the few cool winter days and the strong indoor A/C.
Weather can affect where you choose to live, too. Elevation, distance from the bay and building age all matter. Our guide to the best Miami neighborhoods for newcomers and the moving to Miami hub can help you compare.
Frequently asked questions about weather in Miami
What is the best month to move to Miami?
For weather, November through April is easiest. It’s dry and mild, and outside hurricane season except for November. Moving from June through September means heat, daily storms and hurricane risk.
Does it ever get cold in Miami?
Rarely. The coldest month, January, averages a low of about 61°F. Winter cold fronts bring a few cooler days, but they don’t last long.
Does it rain every day in Miami in summer?
Close to it. June through September average 17 to 19 rainy days a month. Storms usually come in the afternoon and pass within an hour or two.
Do I need flood insurance if I rent in Miami?
It isn’t required for renters, but renters insurance usually excludes flood. An NFIP contents policy covers your belongings up to $100,000 and generally takes 30 days to start.
Sources
- Monthly normals: NWS Miami, Daily Normals (1991-2020), Miami International Airport (NOAA NCEI 1991-2020 normals)
- Monthly rain, rainy days and humidity: Climate of Miami, citing NOAA NCEI 1991-2020 normals for Miami International Airport (accessed October 2026)
- Hurricane season averages and peak: National Hurricane Center, Tropical Cyclone Climatology (accessed October 2026)
- 2026 season: WLRN / The Conversation, How Hurricane Isaias broke through to become the first Atlantic hurricane in an extremely quiet 2026 season (October 2026)
- 2026 season: CBS12, No Atlantic hurricanes yet in 2026, a rarity not seen in more than a century (September 2026)
- 2026 NOAA outlook update: 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, citing NOAA’s August 6, 2026 update (accessed October 2026)
- Heat season and days above 90°F: Miami-Dade County, Extreme Heat (accessed October 2026)
- Heat alert thresholds: WLRN / FPREN, What does a heat advisory and excessive heat warning really mean? (June 2025)
- 2026 heat advisory: Local 10, Heat advisory issued for Miami-Dade, Broward as heat index tops 105 degrees (August 2026)
- King tides: WLRN / FPREN, A royal mess: King tides are back and more annoying than ever (September 2026)
- King tides: City of Miami, King Tides (accessed October 2026)
- Evacuation zones: Miami-Dade County, Storm Surge Planning Zones (accessed October 2026)
- Flood insurance: FEMA, Don’t wait: Buy flood insurance today (accessed October 2026)
- Flood insurance in Florida: CBS Miami, Florida flood insurance waiting period, cost and coverage (June 2026)
- Tax-free hurricane supplies: FOX 13, Hurricane supplies are permanently tax-free in Florida beginning August 1 (2025)
