Downtown Sarasota Aerial

Seasons of Sarasota County

No matter the season, the weather is always a treat in Sarasota.

There's a reason Southwest Florida is known as the Sunshine Coast. With endless summer vibes, the odds are in your favor that the weather will be vacation-worthy no matter what time of year you're able to come. 

High Season 

December - March
Sarasota County will see the mass majority of its visitors and "snowbirds" during the winter months which is widely considered the peak season for the area. This is largely due to the fantastic winter weather we receive during these cooler months—with temperatures often hanging around the 60s and 70s with refreshing gulf or bay breezes. Many northerners hoping to escape the freezing temps and snow during these months will spend longer periods down here to soak up some Vitamin D before heading back for spring. Southwest Florida is also a popular locale for those on spring break during the month of March, in search of a sunny beach getaway.

Shoulder Season

Our shoulder seasons, spring and autumn, remain some of the most popular times of the year for visitors to retreat to Sarasota County—especially during fall holidays and spring break, when travelers look to escape the chilliness from up north and get a glowy suntan to go back to school or work with. The weather tends to be quite mild and pleasurable with a comfortable warmth, little rain and balmy breezes. Average temperatures are supreme, around the 70s and 80s. 

Wet Season

June-October
The subtropical climate of Sarasota County provides an average annual rainfall of nearly 60 inches; more than enough to keep our tropical foliage vibrant and lush. Summer downpours tend to occur in the early afternoon but typically come and go quickly and moved on by sunset—often leaving behind beautiful and vibrant rainbows in its wake. On some occasions, rain will linger into the evening, illuminating the night sky with spectacular flashes of famous Florida lightning. As captivating as these natural showcases are, it's best to view them from the safety of indoor structures.

Hurricane Season

June 1-Nov. 30
Even though the season lasts six months, the prime time for hurricanes in Southwest Florida is August through September but that doesn't always mean a hurricane will come in that time. While predicting the likelihood of a hurricane each season is nearly impossible, most years the area only sees a handful of small tropical storms. Being prepared is paramount.

Regardless of how long you've called Florida home or are just visiting, always monitor state and local weather broadcasts. You can also sign up for Alert Sarasota County to stay informed.  For more information on how you can be prepared, visit scgov.net/beprepared scgov.net/beprepared or call 311 in Sarasota County.  

Alligator Mating Season

Peaks in May
Many Floridians may never see an alligator outside of theme parks like Jungle Gardens. However, alligators are found in most of Florida's ponds, streams, lakes and rivers. The height of alligator mating season is in May, when mature male gators often find their way into residential pools in search of female gators. They're plentiful and feisty this time of year, so give them plenty of space. Always stay clear of baby alligators, whose mothers are often close by. Never feed an alligator, and do not wade in waters that alligators are known to inhabit. Alligators are attracted to food sources by sound and may attack if they hear you thrashing about.