Everglades National Park sits in one of the most weather-active regions of the United States. The unique climate patterns here shape everything from wildlife behavior to visitor experiences.
Located in south Florida, this vast wetland ecosystem goes through dramatic seasonal shifts. These shifts create two distinct weather periods each year.
The park’s subtropical climate features a hot, wet season from May through November. There’s also a cooler, dry season from December through April, with each period bringing dramatically different conditions for both the ecosystem and visitors.
If you want to explore the Everglades, understanding these weather patterns really matters. Temperature swings, rainfall, and humidity can vary wildly between seasons.
The park’s location makes it especially vulnerable to tropical weather systems. Hurricanes often develop in the Atlantic and Gulf waters.
I’ve tracked Florida weather for three decades, and the Everglades always stands out for its pronounced seasonal variations. Sometimes it feels like the park has a mind of its own.
These climate shifts affect more than just comfort levels for visitors. Water levels rise and fall, wildlife activity changes, and even which areas you can access depends on the season.
Scorching summer thunderstorms can dump several inches of rain in just hours. Then, on some winter mornings, temperatures dip near freezing. The weather here tells a story of extremes.
Overview of Climate in Everglades National Park
Everglades National Park has a subtropical climate with clear wet and dry seasons. These cycles shape nearly every part of the ecosystem.
The park’s spot in South Florida brings in unique weather patterns. Warm ocean currents and tropical air masses play a big role.
Location and Climate Classification
Everglades National Park sits low in South Florida, close to warm ocean waters. This location puts it squarely in a subtropical climate zone.
Depending on where you are in the park, you might find a tropical savanna or a tropical monsoon climate. It’s not all the same everywhere.
The Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico influence the weather here. Warm currents keep temperatures from getting too extreme.
The park’s position leaves it open to tropical systems during hurricane season. It’s a risky spot for storms.
Scientists call this a tropical wet/dry climate. So, dry winters and wet summers are the norm.
All the water in the park’s lakes, streams, and wetlands even affects the local weather. It’s a place where water really is in charge.
Seasonal Differences
The park splits neatly into two main seasons. The dry season runs from December through April, bringing comfortable temperatures and low humidity.
Highs range from the low 50s to upper 70s Fahrenheit. It feels pretty nice most days.
Winter sweeps in cold fronts that push out warm, humid air. These fronts keep thunderstorms away and create cool, dry air.
Only about 25% of the year’s rain falls during the dry season. So, it’s not a wet time.
The wet season goes from May through November. It’s hot and humid, with temperatures often in the low 90s.
Humidity can soar past 90%, making heat index values around 105 degrees. It’s not for the faint of heart.
Summer thunderstorms pop up when warm, moist air meets unstable conditions. These storms can dump several inches of rain, and they show up almost every day during peak wet season.
Ecosystem Impact
The seasons drive the entire Everglades ecosystem. Water levels rise and fall, creating a cycle that plants and animals rely on.
During the dry season, lower water levels force fish and wildlife into smaller areas. Wading birds like herons and egrets take advantage, finding food more easily.
Many species plan their breeding seasons around these conditions. Timing is everything.
The wet season brings life-giving rainfall that refills marshes and sloughs. Fresh water flows through, carrying nutrients and supporting plant growth.
But too much rain can flood nesting areas and disrupt wildlife behavior. It’s a tricky balance.
Climate change threatens this balance. Rising sea levels push saltwater into freshwater habitats, and changing rainfall could mess up the timing wildlife depends on.
Seasonal Weather Patterns
Everglades National Park has two distinct seasons that shape everything from visitor experiences to wildlife behavior. The dry season brings cooler air and less rain. The wet season? Hot, humid, and full of thunderstorms.
Dry Season: December to April
The dry season turns the Everglades into a more comfortable spot for visitors. Temperatures range from the low 50s to upper 70s.
Humidity drops off compared to summer. Hiking and wildlife viewing get a lot more pleasant.
Sometimes, continental cold fronts sweep through South Florida. These can bring temperatures close to freezing.
The park gets only about 25% of its yearly rain during the dry season. Most precipitation comes as quick-moving squall lines.
These cold fronts replace warm, humid air with cool, dry conditions. Wind chill can make it feel colder than the numbers say.
Visitors should pack layers. The weather can change fast.
| Month | High (°F) | Low (°F) | Precipitation (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| December | 79 | 57 | 1.37 |
| January | 78 | 54 | 1.65 |
| February | 80 | 56 | 1.85 |
| March | 82 | 58 | 1.92 |
| April | 85 | 61 | 2.77 |
Wet Season: May to November
The wet season brings serious heat and humidity to the Everglades. Temperatures often reach the low 90s.
Humidity levels shoot up, making it feel downright oppressive. Nearly 60 inches of rain falls during this stretch.
Thunderstorms show up almost daily. Some last just minutes, others hang around for hours.
Warm, moist air mixes with unstable conditions, making the climate unpredictable. Sea-breeze fronts from both coasts trigger those afternoon storms.
Heat index values can run 10-15 degrees higher than the actual temperature. A 90°F day with high humidity feels like 105°F.
Outdoor activities get a lot tougher and sometimes even risky. Hurricane season overlaps with the wet season, running from June through November.
The park sits in one of the most hurricane-prone areas in the country.
Transition Months
May and November act as bridges between the two main seasons. May kicks off with more rain and rising heat.
Precipitation jumps from 2.77 inches in April to 5.86 inches in May. November, on the other hand, brings drier weather.
Rainfall drops from September’s 8.71 inches to just 2.28 inches by November. Temperatures start to cool off.
These months offer a middle ground for visitors. It’s not as extreme as summer or winter, but humidity can still pack a punch in May.
In November, continental cold fronts show up more often. These fronts help cut down on thunderstorms and lower moisture across South Florida.
Temperature Trends Throughout the Year
Everglades National Park shows off clear temperature patterns across its two main seasons. Winter and spring bring cooler, comfortable conditions. Summer and fall? That’s when you get intense heat and humidity.
The park’s subtropical climate leads to big temperature swings—lows in the 50s during winter, highs over 90°F in summer.
Winter and Spring Temperatures
Winter in the Everglades brings ideal weather for visitors. From December through February, highs average between 78°F and 80°F. Nighttime lows reach the mid-50s.
January is usually the coolest month, with minimums around 54°F. The record low is a chilly 24°F, thanks to those continental cold fronts.
Spring slowly warms things up. March hits highs around 82°F with lows near 58°F. By April, you get maximums of 85°F and minimums at 61°F.
May marks the transition into true summer weather. Highs hit 88°F, lows about 66°F.
Cold fronts show up less often in spring, letting warm, humid air take over. The dry season’s low humidity makes these temps feel even more pleasant than they sound.
Summer and Fall Temperatures
Summer brings the year’s worst heat and humidity. June through September means daily highs between 90°F and 92°F. Nights rarely dip below 71°F.
August is usually the hottest, with daytime averages reaching 92°F and nights at 73°F. The record high? A blistering 107°F.
High humidity makes the heat index dangerous. When it’s 90°F and super humid, it can feel like 105°F.
Fall stays hot through September and October. September keeps highs at 91°F, lows at 73°F.
October starts the cool-down, with highs dropping to 87°F and lows to 70°F. By November, it’s down to 83°F for highs and 63°F for lows.
Precipitation Variability and Rainfall
The Everglades gets roughly 60 inches of rain each year. But the rain doesn’t spread out evenly—most of it falls in summer thunderstorms.
Winter months stay pretty dry.
Monthly Rainfall Patterns
Everglades National Park has two clear precipitation seasons. The wet season, from mid-May through November, delivers almost 75% of the yearly rainfall.
Summer months bring the heaviest precipitation. June through September each get 7-9 inches of rain. August usually wins for most rainfall with over 8 inches.
Afternoon thunderstorms rule the wet season. Warm, moist air and unstable conditions make them pop up fast.
Ocean breezes from the Atlantic and Gulf add to the storm action, especially along sea-breeze fronts.
The dry season stretches from December through mid-May. These months only see about 25% of the annual rain.
January is the driest, with just 1.65 inches on average. Winter rain usually comes as quick squall lines.
Continental cold fronts sweep away humidity and create stable air, which keeps thunderstorms at bay.
Tropical storms and hurricanes sometimes shake up the pattern, dumping several inches of rain in just a few hours. This is especially true during peak hurricane season from June through November.
Impacts of Precipitation on the Ecosystem
Rainfall patterns control water levels across the Everglades. The wet season fills up sloughs, marshes, and wetlands, supporting all kinds of wildlife.
Water depth variations can be dramatic. Some areas lose several feet of water during the dry months.
Wildlife crowds around remaining water sources as water recedes. Fish get packed into smaller pools, making feeding easier for wading birds like herons and egrets.
Many species time their breeding cycles to these changes. Nature seems to know the schedule.
Plant communities depend on these cycles too. Sawgrass and marsh plants need certain water depths to thrive.
Long dry spells can stress vegetation, while too much rain can flood out some areas. Nothing here ever stays the same for long.
Fire patterns tie closely to rainfall. Dry seasons set the stage for natural fires that clear out old plant material.
These fires help keep the landscape open, which is crucial for the Everglades’ ecology.
Humidity and Its Effects on the Everglades
Humidity shapes almost everything about Everglades National Park. The park goes through wild swings in moisture between seasons.
These shifts impact plant growth, wildlife behavior, and how you feel when you visit. Sometimes, it’s the air you notice first—thick, heavy, and impossible to ignore.
Seasonal Humidity Levels
Everglades National Park has two main humidity patterns each year. During the wet season, from mid-May to November, humidity hits its highest point as warm, moist air rolls over south Florida.
Summer humidity makes the air feel much hotter than the thermometer says. On a 90°F day, the heat index can jump to 105°F because of all the moisture hanging around.
The human body really struggles to cool down by sweating when the air’s already saturated. Sweat just sits there, barely evaporating, so visitors can feel overheated even if the temperature doesn’t seem that bad.
Winter brings a break from all that sticky air. The dry season, from December to mid-May, comes with cool, dry breezes from the north.
Continental cold fronts sweep away the muggy conditions that build up during summer.
How Humidity Shapes the Park Environment
High humidity sets the stage for the Everglades’ wetland ecosystem. Plants like sawgrass and cypress trees really need that moist air to survive in this subtropical landscape.
Thunderstorms pop up when humid air meets unstable conditions. Sometimes, these storms dump a few inches of rain in just hours.
That constant build-up and release of humidity as rain keeps water levels steady across the park.
Wildlife changes its routine based on the humidity. Many animals slow down during the muggy summer.
Birds and alligators often hide in the shade during the steamiest parts of the day.
The park’s famous morning mist and fog show up when humid air cools off overnight. That extra moisture gives plants a boost and helps keep the water balance just right for thousands of species.
Weather-Related Considerations for Visitors
The Everglades’ subtropical climate brings seasonal patterns that really affect visitors. Knowing Florida’s wet and dry seasons can help folks plan safer, more enjoyable trips and dodge some of the wild weather.
Best Times to Visit
The dry season from December to April is really the sweet spot for exploring the Everglades. Temperatures usually hang out between the mid-50s and upper 70s Fahrenheit.
Humidity drops a lot compared to summer, and rain slows to about a quarter of the yearly total. It just feels better for hiking, camping, and watching wildlife.
Wildlife crowds around the remaining water during dry months, so bird watching is at its best in late winter.
The wet season from May to November makes things tougher for visitors. Temperatures often reach the low 90s, and the humidity can feel relentless.
Nearly 60 inches of rain falls during these months. Thunderstorms pop up almost every day in summer, sometimes lasting just minutes, sometimes hours.
Some storms crawl across the park and drop inches of rain in no time.
Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. The Everglades sits right in one of the country’s most hurricane-prone zones.
Weather Hazards and Safety Tips
Heat-related dangers can catch visitors off guard if they’re not ready for them. The heat index mixes temperature and humidity, so a 90-degree day with sticky air might actually feel like 105.
You should keep an eye on heat index warnings before heading outside. When humidity climbs, sweating just doesn’t cool you down as much.
Severe weather threats demand your attention, especially during Florida’s hurricane season. Sometimes, park officials shut down parts of the facility before, during, or after a big storm.
Thunderstorms can pop up fast along sea-breeze fronts. Lightning gets pretty common in the afternoon and evening, so when storms roll in, it’s smart to duck into a building or your car.
Cold fronts sometimes sweep in during winter, bringing near-freezing temperatures. Wind chill can make it feel even colder than the thermometer says. Honestly, layering up your clothes makes a big difference.