Today's weather for Orlando, USA6th Oct 2008 23:53

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Weather Overview for Orlando

Orlando, Florida, home of Walt Disney World has very interesting weather, consisting of two major seasons. The two seasons can really be summed up by saying as follows- one is hot and one is dry.

Due to the city’s proximity to the Tropic of Cancer and its low elevation it is generally fairly warm all year around- boasting an average annual temperature of 22.4°C (72.4F)

Orlando is affected by the Gulf Stream current, which is a powerful Atlantic ocean current that causes warmer waters to be brought up from the tropics and creates warmer winter temperatures than the rest of South East United States during the same period.

Orlando has a sub-tropical climate which is warm and humid. Morning humidity stays at above 85% all year round with humidity at its highest during June to October. Because of the extreme humidity, it often feels hotter than it actually is. This is because humidity confuses your body’s cooling system so you will find your self hotter than if you were experiencing dry heat.

Due to the year round warmth, swimming pools, fun parks and other aquatic activities generally run all months of the year.

‘SUMMER’

The summer months are known as the rainy season. The barometer begins to rise in May, with average daily highs rising above 30° degrees and daily lows hovering around the low 20’s. The rainy season really begins to kick-in in June and lasts through until September and early October.

There is extreme humidity during this period and heavy rain. Most notoriously, Orlando is hit almost daily by strong afternoon thunderstorms which often consist of high wind, hail and fierce lightning.

During the months from June to August, Orlando averages a monthly rainfall greater than the whole of the United Kingdom during winter! Orlando averages 54cm of rain during June to August whereas the UK averages 44 cm during the winter months of December to February.

July and August are very hot and humid, with 95% humidity and day time highs of 32°C – 36°C. Orlando rarely gets hotter than this however, with the highest ever temperature recorded in 1998 measuring in at 39 degrees celcius.

‘WINTER’

Orlando is very pleasant in the winter, and much like many subtropical/ temperate European cities such as Seville, it is a favourite winter getaway for those who want to escape the cold, bitter winter harshness of other cities.

January and February are typically the coolest months, however in saying this the average minimum ranges from 9.4°C to 10. 5°C and the average maximum ranges from 21.6°C to 22.7°C- so its hardly unbearably cold!

Humidity is at its lowest during March and April, and the lowest average rainfall is typically in December and April. Considering that it is warm all year, April is the best time to visit as the uncomfortable humidity is at its lowest, as is rainfall.

December through until May are normally the driest months. An exception to this was the effect that El Nino had in 1998 creating an unusually wet January and February which later lead into a summer drought followed by a record wildfire season.

December to May is also the period that Orlando is particularly prone to wildfires, particularly in March through until May. In addition to wildfire hazard, Orlando, much like a lot of Florida, is subject to hurricanes. However due to its location inland from the Gulf of Mexico hurricanes have a tendency to weaken before hitting the coast. The city does however experience strong hurricanes with the worst being the three strong hurricanes which hit Orlando in 2004.

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