Now that we are in the dog days of summer, new residents of
Sarasota, Florida may be wondering if it will ever cool off and if we do indeed
have ‘Seasons’. Even though we have sunny weather most of the time, we do have
seasons here in Florida. Though the seasons may not be as recognizable as those
in the North, there are differences in each season.
Summer, as you probably know
tends to be very hot…but there is almost always a breeze off the Gulf of Mexico
to enjoy. When I was a kid growing up in Sarasota, we didn’t have
air-conditioning but we somehow survived on the breeze! Summer starts sometime
in May, as the temps begin to climb. Temperatures average in the high 80's to
mid 90's and more. It’s a good time to enjoy the A/C during the day and the pool
in the evening. The best times to visit the beaches are early in the morning
and of course, in the evening for the beautiful sunsets.
Summer also brings the
rainy season and the threat of hurricanes. Thankfully, it’s been many years
since Sarasota has experienced a hurricane. There are some theories and local
superstitions as to why the city of Sarasota has not had a direct hit from a
storm since record keeping began back in 1871; the wildest one has to do with
American Indian Spirits that still protect the area. These are what are known
as “Urban Legends.” Others say that the Sarasota area is safe due to Mother
Nature’s placement of the sand dunes on the coastal beaches, or the magic
powers of Siesta Key’s white sand beaches and underwater crystals. Whatever
reason people believe, we have stayed safe from these potentially monster
storms along the Sarasota Sun Coast for quite a number of years. The record
books say that Sarasota did take on varying degrees of damage from hurricanes
in 1926, 1944 and 1950. So the best thing to do during storm season, which
peaks in early September, is to keep your eyes and ears open for weather news
and go on with your fun in the Sarasota sun! Regarding plants, Florida native plants grow like crazy during the summer;
grass needs to be cut once a week. If we do have a good rainy season, we have
to cut grass every five days or so. A typical rainy season produces the chance
of afternoon or evening showers, on any day. In years past, I could almost set
my watch by the 4:00 PM showers which cleaned and cooled the air for evening.
Fall usually
starts about mid-October. Floridians really look forward to the cooler temperatures
and lower humidity levels. It’s finally time to open the windows and enjoy the fresh air! For Halloween, there is as much a chance for very
warm weather as there is for a cool evening. Hurricane season ends November
30th, a date we are all happy to see. This is a good time to enjoy the beaches, or go to Myakka State Park for a wildlife tour.
There are not many tourists yet, and the seasonal residents (Snowbirds) have
not yet arrived.
Winter in Florida
can be a surprise. Even as a lifetime Florida resident, it’s still weird
decorating for Christmas when it is 75 degrees outside, but that is most often
the case. If you look closely, there are subtle differences in the plants as
the temps get a bit cooler. Some tree leaves change color a little bit, but
nothing like up North.
We have seen winters where the overnight temps never dropped below 55 degrees. On the other hand, the temps have dropped to the mid-twenties
in the past. Some of the plants lose their leaves, but not many. The grass
slows its growth, to the point where it only needs to be mowed every 14-20
days. Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s
Snowbirds arrive in force. Stores, streets, beaches and restaurants become very
crowded.
Spring, the best
season in Florida! Starting in about mid March, spring usually offers cool
nights, warm days and lower humidity. A day at the beach can literally be an all
day affair, as long as you don’t mind crowds. Springtime brings lots of guests
and tourists to the Sunshine state. The Snowbirds have not yet made their way
back North and the Spring Breakers pay a visit although it’s not as crazy as on
the East coast of Florida. In our area, we do not get the large groups of young
people looking to party hard, but we do get a good amount of those looking for
a spot in the sun to relax. Just as in the North, spring brings new life to plants and
some animals. If there were frosty nights in the winter and some of the plants
lost leaves, new growth starts now. You
can actually see some of the trees and plants get a greener color. Oak and pine
trees start to throw off pollen, causing problems for those with allergies. So,
Spring is not without some disadvantages; it arrives at the peak of the dry
season. With the low humidity levels and the lack of rain for several months,
the chance for brush fires is heightened.
A few other 'unofficial' Florida seasonal dates:
- Hurricane season is June 1 to November 30
- Snowbird season is about October to May, give or take a few weeks
- Strawberry season is December through May depending on the weather
- Fishing seasons vary by species
- Alligator mating season runs from about mid April to June, so watch out on the golf course!
Having said all of the above, I'm sure you will agree that despite the lack of definitive seasons, we live in paradise! No snow to shovel! Golf and beach-walking every day! Beautiful sunsets every night! What's not to love? So if you are looking to actually LIVE in paradise, call me and I will help you find your dream home in Sarasota, Longboat Key, Venice, Englewood and Manasota Key.
