Clearwater Beach sits on Florida's Gulf Coast at the same latitude as Bahrain and has one of the mildest year-round climates in the continental United States. You can comfortably visit in every month of the year — but the experience is noticeably different depending on when you come. This page breaks down air temps, water temps, rainfall, and what to expect month by month.

Year-Round Overview

January

Avg high 70°F · Avg low 53°F · Water ~63°F · Rainfall 2.5"

January is the coolest month. Daytime is comfortable t-shirt weather, evenings need a light jacket. The Gulf is too cold for most swimmers but you'll see regulars braving it. Hotel rates are among the cheapest of the year. Best for: budget travelers, snowbirds, walking the beach without crowds.

February

Avg high 72°F · Avg low 55°F · Water ~63°F · Rainfall 2.8"

Very similar to January, but with slightly longer days and warming trends by the end of the month. Spring Break hasn't started yet. Excellent month for sightseeing, dolphin tours, and the Pier 60 Sunset Festival in comfortable weather.

March

Avg high 76°F · Avg low 60°F · Water ~66°F · Rainfall 3.0"

The weather warms up quickly in March, and so do the crowds. Spring Break hits mid-March through mid-April and brings sharply higher hotel prices and heavier traffic. Water is still chilly for most.

April

Avg high 81°F · Avg low 64°F · Water ~71°F · Rainfall 2.0"

One of the best months of the year. Low humidity, minimal rain, warm afternoons, cool evenings. Water is swimmable for most visitors. Late April after Spring Break ends is a sweet spot for pricing.

May

Avg high 87°F · Avg low 70°F · Water ~77°F · Rainfall 2.5"

May kicks off sea turtle nesting season (May 1 – October 31). Water is now properly warm. Humidity is starting to rise but afternoons are still comfortable. Sea turtle tips here.

June

Avg high 89°F · Avg low 75°F · Water ~82°F · Rainfall 6.4"

Hurricane season officially starts June 1 but the serious risk doesn't arrive until August. June brings afternoon thunderstorms — short, intense, usually pass in under an hour. Morning beach days are great; plan indoor backups for afternoons.

July

Avg high 90°F · Avg low 76°F · Water ~85°F · Rainfall 8.1"

Hot, humid, rainy — and still the most popular month for families with kids out of school. Book a hotel with a pool and plan around the afternoon storms. Sunsets after storm clouds clear are the most dramatic of the year.

August

Avg high 90°F · Avg low 76°F · Water ~86°F · Rainfall 9.0"

Peak heat, peak humidity, peak rainfall. Also the start of peak hurricane season. If you come in August, book flexible hotel dates and watch the tropical forecast for 2 weeks before your trip.

September

Avg high 88°F · Avg low 74°F · Water ~85°F · Rainfall 7.0"

Hurricane season's riskiest month, but the weather is essentially summer. Kids are back in school and the crowds thin dramatically after Labor Day. Hotel prices drop. If you can handle the hurricane-watch anxiety, September offers summer weather at fall prices.

October

Avg high 84°F · Avg low 68°F · Water ~80°F · Rainfall 3.0"

Arguably the best month of the year. Summer heat breaks, humidity drops, rain eases, water is still warm. Hotel rates hit their annual lowest. Read our full take on visiting Clearwater Beach in the fall.

November

Avg high 77°F · Avg low 60°F · Water ~73°F · Rainfall 2.0"

Perfect weather for everything that doesn't involve long swims. Clear skies, low humidity, mild evenings. Thanksgiving week sees a brief price spike, but the rest of the month is quiet.

December

Avg high 71°F · Avg low 54°F · Water ~66°F · Rainfall 2.4"

Winter arrives. Daytime is sweatshirt-and-shorts weather, nights get chilly. The Gulf is too cold for most. Christmas and New Year's Eve sees huge demand and high prices — book early.

Quick-Reference Best Months

Still deciding? Read our broader best time to visit Clearwater Beach guide or the best hours of the day for your beach trip.

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