Weather in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Flowers spill across the islands. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Thunderstorm—87°73°
- SundayMay 17Overcast—86°78°
- MondayMay 18Light Drizzle28%85°78°
- TuesdayMay 19Drizzle30%85°79°
- WednesdayMay 20Light Drizzle19%85°79°
- ThursdayMay 21Overcast19%85°80°
- FridayMay 22Overcast25%86°80°
- PM 2.5
- 7.4 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 11.0 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 3.1 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 77.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.0 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 10:52 AM
- Moonset
- 12:16 AM
- In sign
- ♊︎ Gemini
Flowers spill across the islands
Fort Lauderdale at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 5°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: January 23 (climatological average for this latitude)
- Microseason: 28 of 72, May 16–20
- Planting window: Direct sow okra, melons, and southern peas. Thin carrot rows.
Right now in the garden
Peak growing season
As of May 17, the growing season is at its peak — frost is months away. Continue succession-planting beans and summer squash. Start fall brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, kale) from seed indoors for transplanting in late summer.
Planting calendar
| Month | Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | — |
| February | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes | — |
| March | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | — |
| April | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | — |
| May | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| June | — | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| July | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| August | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| September | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| October | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | winter squash, tomatoes (last) |
| November | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | — |
| December | — | — |
A year in weather
August brings Fort Lauderdale's warmest weather (~84°F mean) while January delivers the coldest temperatures (~68°F). September sees peak rainfall at 9.3 inches, with January recording the lowest at 2.5 inches.
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 68° | 2.5″ | 4 |
| February | 70° | 3.3″ | 4 |
| March | 72° | 3.2″ | 4 |
| April | 76° | 3.5″ | 4 |
| May | 79° | 6.3″ | 7 |
| June | 82° | 8.0″ | 10 |
| July | 84° | 6.0″ | 11 |
| August | 84° | 7.3″ | 10 |
| September | 83° | 9.3″ | 12 |
| October | 80° | 7.7″ | 9 |
| November | 75° | 4.2″ | 5 |
| December | 71° | 3.0″ | 5 |
Regional context
Fort Lauderdale belongs to a humid subtropical climate region that extends across nearby cities. This shared climate zone creates similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions throughout the area.
Similar climates: Miami, FL, Tampa, FL, Orlando, FL, Jacksonville, FL, Cape Coral, FL.
Naturalist notes
Purple martins begin their northward migration through Fort Lauderdale in late February, filling the air with their liquid calls.
Bougainvillea reaches peak bloom in March, covering fences and walls with brilliant magenta bracts.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Fort Lauderdale?
- Mid-February typically brings Fort Lauderdale's last spring frost, while the first fall frost arrives around mid-December.
- What is the rainy season in Fort Lauderdale?
- September records the highest rainfall with about 9.3 inches on average; Fort Lauderdale receives roughly 64 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Fort Lauderdale?
- August typically delivers the warmest weather, averaging about 84°F.
- What is the coldest month in Fort Lauderdale?
- January typically brings the coldest temperatures, averaging about 68°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Fort Lauderdale?
- Cool-season crops like peas and lettuce can be sown around the last spring frost in mid-February; warm-season crops such as tomatoes and peppers should wait until 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Fort Lauderdale get?
- Fort Lauderdale experiences about 85 rainy days per year on average.
- What hardiness zone is Fort Lauderdale?
- Fort Lauderdale's USDA hardiness zone depends on its lowest average winter temperature; the USDA's online lookup tool provides the current zone designation when you enter the city ZIP code.
Climate
Fort Lauderdale, Florida sits in a humid subtropical climate zone. January temperatures hover near 68°F while July averages 84°F — a 15°F seasonal swing.
Throughout the year, Fort Lauderdale receives about 64 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 85 rainy days.
Latitude (26.1°N), proximity to large water bodies, and elevation set the rhythm of the year. These factors shape what grows here, when frost is likely, and what the weather story looks like day to day.