Florida Weather and Climate

This book explores the conditions, forces, and processes behind Florida’s surprisingly varied and dynamic weather. Florida is home to two of the world’s major types of climate – tropical wet-dry and humid subtropical. It experiences more tornadoes per square mile and is more frequently affected by lightning and thunderstorms than any other state. Florida is vulnerable to fog, drought, and wildfires. And it is notorious for its most prominent natural event – the hurricane.

Discussing Florida’s latitude, longitude, area, landscape, and population, as well as the position of the sun and the importance of evaporation and condensation, the authors break down the features that shape Florida’s remarkable weather. They explain the influence of atmospheric circulation patterns such as the Hadley cell, the Coriolis force, and the Bermuda-Azores high. They describe the impacts of cold, warm, stationary, and occluded fronts. The book also covers major weather incidents from Florida’s history and looks ahead to what climate change will mean for the state’s future.

With many maps, helpful diagrams, and clear explanations, this book is an illuminating and accessible guide to Florida’s dramatic weather and climate.