Clearwater, on Florida’s Gulf Coast, features a warm, sunny climate with hot, humid summers and mild, dry winters. The city enjoys abundant sunshine, a long beach season, and a pronounced summer wet season. With warm sea temperatures and gentle breezes, Clearwater is a year-round destination for beachgoers, water sports, and outdoor activities.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Clearwater’s climate borders between humid subtropical and tropical savanna, bringing four distinct but gentle seasons. Summers (June–September) are long, hot, and humid, with average highs of 32–33°C and lows around 24–25°C. Afternoon thunderstorms are frequent, and rainfall peaks in July and August, each with over 220 mm. Humidity is high, often above 75%, but sea breezes from the Gulf temper the heat. Sunshine is abundant, with up to 10 hours per day in May and over 2,900 hours annually.
Winters (December–February) are mild and drier, with average highs of 21–23°C and lows of 10–13°C. Rainfall is minimal, and cold spells are rare – only a couple of nights per year drop to 0°C. Spring and autumn are transitional, with pleasant temperatures (24–30°C), moderate humidity, and fewer rainy days. The sea remains warm year-round, from 18°C in winter to 28°C in summer, ideal for swimming and water sports. Winds are generally light to moderate (10–16 km/h), with stronger breezes during storms. The region’s climate supports lush vegetation, palm trees, and a vibrant outdoor lifestyle.
| Average climate data for Clearwater, United States | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 19 | 20 | 22 | 25 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 28 | 23 | 21 | 31 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 13 | 15 | 17 | 20 | 23 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 22 | 18 | 16 | 13 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 12 | 13 | 10 | 20 | 23 | 65 | 75 | 78 | 56 | 26 | 14 | 21 | 413 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 18 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 11 | 7 | 8 | 150 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 75 | 77 | 74 | 74 | 72 | 73 | 74 | 74 | 75 | 71 | 73 | 76 | 74 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 16 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 18 | 18 | 19 | 23 | 26 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 24 | 20 | 24 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 9 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 31 | 28 | 25 | 22 | 21 | 24 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 23 | 26 | 29 | 26 |
| Average UV index | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 |
The best time to visit Clearwater is from March to May and October to early December, when temperatures are warm, humidity is lower, and rainfall is minimal. These months offer ideal beach weather, abundant sunshine, and fewer crowds, perfect for swimming, festivals, and exploring the Gulf Coast.
The least favourable time to visit is from July to September, when heat, humidity, and frequent afternoon thunderstorms are at their peak. While the sea is warm and lively, storms can disrupt outdoor plans, and hurricane season brings a risk of severe weather.
Clearwater has a warm, sunny climate with hot, humid summers and mild, dry winters. Summers bring frequent thunderstorms and high humidity, while winters are pleasant and drier, with only rare cold spells.
March to May and October to early December are best for beach weather, with warm temperatures, lower humidity, and minimal rain. The sea is comfortable for swimming nearly all year.
Rainfall is highest in summer, especially July and August, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. The rest of the year is much drier, particularly in winter and spring.
Summer highs average 32–33°C, with high humidity making it feel hotter. Afternoon thunderstorms are common, but sea breezes help temper the heat along the coast.
Winter is mild, with highs of 21–23°C and lows of 10–13°C. Freezing temperatures are rare, and most winter days are comfortable for outdoor activities.
Bring swimwear, sun protection, and light clothing for most of the year. In summer, add a rain jacket for afternoon storms. For winter, pack a light jumper or jacket for cooler evenings.
Clearwater is in Florida’s hurricane zone, with the highest risk from June to November. While direct hits are rare, travellers should monitor forecasts and be flexible with plans during this period.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is August (30.8 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (18.8 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 25.7 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (27 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (13.4 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 20.8 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is August (30.5 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is January (17.8 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 24.4 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is August (78 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is March (10 mm). Over the whole year there are 412.8 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is August (22.6 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is February (6.8 days). Over the whole year there are 150 days of rain on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is February (77.1 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is October (71.5 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 74.1 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is March (15.9 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is July (11.6 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 14.2 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is January (30.7 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is May (21 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 25.7 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 13.1 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 10 h). Over the whole year there are 11.7 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is June (Average sunshine: 11.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is November (Average sunshine: 6 h). Over the whole year there are 8.5 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are May, June, July, August and September (UV index: 7). The month with the lowest average UV index is January (UV index: 4). Over the whole year the average UV index is 6.
