Congratulations, Florida moms! You’ve almost survived another “winter”!
(Yes, I’m using air quotes.)
It’s already February, which means the finish line is in sight. If you’re like me, you’d prefer winter to end as soon as possible, so let’s go with the meteorological definition: Winter is December, January, and February. That means we’re almost done! The astronomical calendar drags it out until March 20, but we don’t have time for that nonsense.
When the Weather Keeps You Guessing
At this point in the season, we get a little bit of everything Florida has to offer. One day, the kids leave for school in puffer jackets, and by pickup, they’ve peeled off the layers in the warm afternoon sun. It could be perfectly sunny with not a cloud in sight, or raining and humid with severe weather alerts blowing up your phone. My son treats anything below 60 degrees like an Arctic expedition, running outside in his pajamas and shouting, “Oh yeah! Oh yeah!” Meanwhile, my daughter has spent most of the season in protest against pants. The only compromise? Rain boots. No rain necessary! Teaching tiny humans how to dress for Florida winter is exhausting, but it still beats shoveling snow.
Even though snow isn’t a real issue here, the shorter days take some adjusting. It makes it feel like time is slipping away, and honestly, it all cuts into my beloved boat days. (Nothing was stopping our family from making it to the sandbar on New Year’s Day, though!) To shake off the winter blues, I try to maximize time in the sun — opening all the blinds first thing in the morning and getting outside all bundled up even when the temperature drops. Once daylight increases after the winter solstice, I track the amount of time we’ve added to each day thereafter. It’s one of my favorite winter survival tricks. Unapologetic nerd here!
Did you know Florida actually gets twice as much sunshine in winter compared to the Northeast? So, even when it feels like the days are too short (literally and figuratively), I remind myself that it could be much worse. Sorry to our northern friends.
Making the Most of Florida Winter Fun
Spending time by the water is still possible, even if the ocean is chilly. Toddlers don’t seem to care! If there’s sand, seashells, and seagulls to chase, they’re happy. We’ll all throw on sweatshirts, and I’ll sip my hot caramel macchiato, enjoying the salty breeze while they dig.
READ: How This Florida Girl Tries to Keep the Winter Blues Away
Winter also brings some of the most incredible sunrises and sunsets, thanks to crisp air and lower humidity. Simply put, there are (usually) fewer particles in the atmosphere to scatter light, making the colors along the horizon more vivid and bold. On top of that, the sun’s lower angle in the winter means it stays near the horizon longer, allowing for more time to see those beautiful colors. PLUS, with the sun setting earlier, it’s easy to catch a stunning view without completely wrecking bedtime routines. Win-win!
Cooler temperatures create the perfect opportunity for adventures — the kind that doesn’t leave everyone drenched in sweat after five minutes. Playgrounds, zoos, and theme parks are far more enjoyable this time of year. Before long, the slides will be scorching again. I can already hear, “Mom, my back is sticking to the car seat!” For now, we’re taking every comfortable park day we can get. And, while we’re at it, we love to mix things up with some inside adventures that we wouldn’t normally go for during the hot, long days of summer — like catching a movie at the theater or challenging each other to a round of bowling. It’s a nice little change of pace when the weather’s just right. Why not make the most of it and try something new?
Embrace Cozy Moments Before the Heat Hits
This is also the season to embrace the cozy vibes. Fire pits and s’mores turn an ordinary evening into a winter tradition, even if flip-flops are still part of the ensemble. Our 4-year-old truly grasped the concept of s’mores this season, which means the requests for “one more” have become a regular occurrence. Not that I’m complaining — it’s a small price to pay for making this season feel a little more magical.
The best part? Spring is right around the corner. I promise! Hang in there. Whether you count down to March 1 (meteorological spring) or wait for the equinox on March 20 (astronomical spring), warmer and longer days are inevitable. Soon, we’ll be swapping sweatshirts for sundresses, trading crisp air for that steamy, all-too-familiar humidity, and embracing all the sunshine with plenty of SPF in tow — because, in Florida, there’s always something to look forward to!
Now, to flex my meteorological muscles. Florida’s mild winters are one of its greatest assets — not just for us, but for tourism, agriculture, and the wave of people who relocate here to escape actual winter. Even in North Florida, temperatures hit 75°F about 20–30% of the time. We all know very well that cold snaps are still possible, of course. Jacksonville officially recorded 0.1 inches of snow this January. Ew! Back in February 1899, Tallahassee hit a record low for the state of -2°F. That’s right. Negative. Two. Degrees. Hard pass.
Now is the time to enjoy the last bit of cool, comfortable weather before the heat returns. Soak in the beautiful sunsets, embrace the crisp mornings, and make the most of this fleeting season. After all, this is the kind of winter most of the country can only dream about.
Florida!!!
