Daytona Beach, FL: When to Go and Weather

Weather: Daytona Beach's humid subtropical climate is determined by its location on the Atlantic Ocean. Like other coastal areas in the southeast, the area goes through hot, humid summers, rainy autumns, chilly winters, and nearly perfect springs that draw tourists in waves.

Summer: Daytona Beach summer weather is characterized by heat, humidity, and frequent thunderstorms. The moisture in the air makes the afternoon sun feel even hotter. The average temperature is 85 degrees F and the average monthly rainfall is 6 inches.

Fall: Tropical storms affect fall weather in Daytona Beach. Rain and wind are more likely in August through early October, the height of the season. The average temperature is 78 degrees F and the average monthly rainfall is 4 inches.

Winter: Daytona Beach weather is far from extreme in winter. Some days are warm enough for hanging out on the beach in jeans and a sweater, but other days, the temperature will drop to freezing at night. The average temperature is 55 degrees F and the average monthly rainfall is 2.8 inches.

Spring: Warm, sunny days and clear skies are standard during Daytona Beach's spring months. The average temperature is 80 degrees F and the average monthly rainfall is 2.8 inches.

Looking for local weather reports? Try checking the frequently updated listings at www.daytonabeach.com/climate.

When to Go: Peak Season
Summertime is peak season in Daytona Beach. Of course, that doesn't mean that July and August are the best times to visit: the temperatures can be sweltering, hotels and resorts are packed, and every square inch of beach seems covered with blankets and chairs on sunny afternoons. The temperatures rise into the 90s several days of the week, and thunder clouds roll in nearly every afternoon, scattering crowds from the beaches and breaking up the heat for a little while. This isn't the best time to come if you're looking for a little solitude on the beach, but it's virtually guaranteed that you'll get into the ocean for a swim: the sun's too hot to resist a dip.

When to Go: Off Season
Since the beach is a main attraction here, it's no surprise that winter is Daytona Beach's off season. Daytona Beach weather isn't unpleasant at this time - visitors experience dry, crisp days and chilly nights - but hotel rates are at their minimum and the beaches only host a scattering of visitors hanging out on the sand (with one major exception: February's Daytona 500.) The temperatures do fall below freezing from time to time, so travelers should be prepared for a wide range of weather, but precipitation is infrequent. You'll beat the crowds at this time, but without the possibility of sunny, warm weather, the charms of Daytona Beach are diminished as well.

When to Go: Shoulder Season
Daytona Beach weather is moderate in spring and occasionally stormy in fall. These shoulder seasons see plenty of visiting weekenders but fewer vacationing families, but the cooler temperatures (in the 70s or 80s) are often more pleasant for sunbathing. March and April are particularly lovely in Daytona Beach, as they're devoid of major crowds - the only downside is that large groups of students on spring break show up for weeks at a time, and the ocean hasn't warmed up significantly yet. In August, September, October, and November, the threat of windy and rainy weather related to tropical storms can pose a problem for vacationers, so be sure to purchase travel insurance in case of inclement weather.

• Sun

   

  Partly Cloudy

  75  51

• Mon

   

  Partly Cloudy

  76  54

• Tue

   

  Mostly Cloudy

  74  63

• Wed

   

  Scattered Thunder- storms

  81  61

• Thu

   

  Partly Cloudy

  68  50

• Fri

   

  Cloudy

  66  52

• Sat

   

  Showers

  65  57

Get more information on Daytona Beach weather.