Florida is known as the Sunshine State, but from late May through October, it transforms into the . If you’re new to Florida or planning a summer trip, understanding the daily rhythm of rain is essential.

The National Weather Service divides the season into three distinct phases:

Typically has a longer rainy season than North Florida by roughly three weeks. Its official start is often cited as May 15 , ending October 15 .

A: Absolutely not. Lightning can strike miles away. Get out of pools and ocean immediately.

Typically runs from May 15 to October 15 .

Typically runs from May 25 to October 10 .

fertilizer "black-out" periods during the rainy season to prevent nutrient runoff from contaminating local waterways. Flash Flooding: Slow-moving storms can cause localized flooding in low-lying and urban areas within minutes. The News-Press +3 10 sites Florida Thunderstorm Season - National Weather Service The values of PW range from 0 to about 76 millimeters (or up to around 3 inches), but can vary greatly depending on the season and... National Weather Service (.gov) Florida rainy season: When does it start and end? Why does it rain in ... May 29, 2025 —

It doesn't usually start with a drizzle. It starts with a crack of thunder that rattles the windows in their frames, followed by rain that falls in sheets so thick it blurs the world into a gray watercolor painting. Visibility drops to zero. Roads that were bone dry fifteen minutes ago turn into shallow rivers. It is a chaotic, furious deluge that hammers the roofs and bounces off the asphalt.

A: Orlando gets slightly less annual rain but more intense afternoon storms due to inland location.