When is summer finally over? Here’s when you can officially look forward to fall season, cold weather
Got a hankering for a pumpkin spice latte? Or have the desire to get lost in a corn maze? Or just want to feel the overwhelming (and sometimes pungent) vibes of fall when browsing your local Target?
The changing of the seasons is slowly but surely approaching, with Floridians desperately wondering — will it ever stop being hot?
The European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) said that based on preliminary data, July 21 was Earth's hottest day since at least 1940, with the daily global average temperature reaching 17.09℃, or about 63℉. In Florida, it was just another day within the 90 degree range.
If you're dreaming about when you can break out the sweaters and order a hot coffee without sweating, here's what to know about the upcoming fall season and when it actually gets cold.
When does summer end in 2024? Here's when fall begins
Fall will start on Sunday, Sept. 22 in 2024, so we have less than two months of summer fun left to enjoy before the new takes over.
There is also another start to the season, with the meteorological start of fall on Sunday, Sept. 1.
How cold does it get during Florida's fall season?
Autumn temperatures are typically anything but fall-like for most of the season, so don't expect sweater weather for a few months. And remember, we still have to get through the rest of hurricane season.
According to NOAA, the state usually sees high humidity with dew points in the middle 60's to middle 70's, along with high temperatures in the mid 80's to lower 90's persisting well into October. It's not until mid-October into November that the state starts to get the first feel of cooler, drier air.
When is daylight savings?
Is it too early to think about daylight saving time? Not really.
Daylight saving time for 2024 began at 2 a.m. EST Sunday, March 10, for "spring forward" and ends at 2 a.m. EST Sunday, Nov. 3, for "fall back."
When does it actually get cold? See the 'cold season' for Florida
For those wanting to go straight to the chilly weather, you'll have to wait for winter. According to the Farmers' Almanac, the winter solstice, which marks the first day of winter 2024, starts at 4:21 a.m. EST Thursday, Dec. 21, 2024.
Typically, winter weather in Florida lasts from December to February, with the height of cold temperatures and frozen iguana warnings in January.
What is typically the coldest month in Florida?
According to the records kept by the National Weather Service, the coldest month in Florida is January, with an average temperature of 61 degrees throughout the month.
What's the coldest Florida has ever been?
According to the Florida Climate Center, a cold wave that became known as the Great Arctic Outbreak pushed frigid Canadian arctic air into the state in February 1899. During this event, the lowest temperature in Florida at -2 degrees was recorded on February 13, 1899.
Has it ever snowed in Florida?
While it is rare, it does snow in Florida.
In January 2018, an unexpected winter storm in Tallahassee produced snowflakes, causing a flurry of photos and videos on social media, the Tallahassee Democrat reported.
It was the first time in nearly 30 years that the city had a measurable snowfall, according to the Democrat story, but it only lasted about 20 minutes and produced a tenth of an inch.
How long will winter 2024 last? Here's what to expect this season
The Farmers' Almanac says the 2024 winter season will be from Dec. 21, 2024, to March 19, 2025. Spring starts March 20, 2025.
For the 2023-2024 winter season, editors at the Farmers' Almanac said "the BRRR is back!" and while previous winter seasons were unusually warm across the country, "winter weather is making a comeback ... traditional cool temperatures and snowy weather conditions will return to the contiguous United States."
No snow for Florida was predicted, but precipitation was mentioned for 2023-2024.
"The Southeast and Florida will see a wetter-than-normal winter, with average winter temperatures overall, but a few frosts may send many shivers to snowbirds trying to avoid the cold and snow back home," the Farmers' Almanac reported.
The weather resource typically releases winter season predictions in August. In August 2024, expect to see predictions about 2024-2025 winter season.
Contributing: C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Fall 2024: See when new season starts, when it gets 'cold' in Florida
