Weather in Fort Myers: Climate, Seasons, and Average Monthly Temperature

Fort Myers, located in southwest Florida, has an overall average high and low temperatures of 85 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit (29 and 18 degrees Celsius), making it the ideal destination for tourism year-round—well, except for the Atlantic hurricane season that runs from June 1 through November 30.​

The nearly perfect weather of Fort Myers might have been one of the reasons that Thomas Edison fell in love with the Fort Myers area and built his winter home there in 1886. His friend, Henry Ford, joined him nearly 30 years later, and today the Edison-Ford Winter Estate is visited by thousands each year.

Of course, there are extremes in every location, and the temperatures in Fort Myers are known to fluctuate quite extensively. The highest recorded temperature in Fort Myers was a scorching 103 degrees Fahrenheit (39 degrees Celsius) and the lowest recorded temperature was a very chilly 26 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 3.3 degrees Celsius).

Whatever season you plan to visit, though, you'll need to know what weather to expect so you can plan your vacation itinerary and what to pack. Fortunately, it's pretty easy to prepare for your trip to Fort Myers any time of year.

Fast Climate Facts

• Hottest Months: June, July, and August (92 F, 33 C)
• Coldest Month: January (75 F, 24 C)
• Wettest Month: August (10.14 inches over 16 days)
• Best Month for Swimming: August (Gulf Temp. 86 F)

Hurricane Season

Fort Myers, like much of Florida, had remained relatively unaffected by hurricanes for more than a decade, but the 2017 Hurricane Irma devastated much of the state's coastal areas, including parts of Fort Myers. If you plan on traveling during hurricane season, which lasts from June 1 to November 30, be sure to inquire about a hurricane guarantee when you book your hotel.

Spring in Fort Myers

Both sea and air temperatures rise consistently throughout the spring, especially in May and early June. However, as the weather heats up, the rainy season swings into full effect, resulting in up to seven days of rain in May and 16 days of rain in June, but if you visit during March or April, you'll experience temperatures between 59 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit (15 and 29 degrees Celsius) and relatively little rainfall. You'll also run into few crowds, making it the perfect time to plan a beachfront vacation to southwest Florida.

What to pack: If you're visiting in March or April, you can take full advantage of hot days and relatively warm nights by leaving your winter coat at home and just bring a light sweater along with all your beach gear—sandals, light shirts, shorts, sunscreen, and a beach towel. However, you'll also need to pack a raincoat if you're traveling in late May and throughout June as the rainy season sees more and more days of rain throughout the end of the season.

Average Air and Water Temperatures by Month:

• March: 80 F (27 C) / 59 F (15 C); Gulf temperature 70 F (21 C)
• April: 85 F (29 C) / 63 F (17 C); Gulf temperature 76 F (24 C)
• May: 89 F (32 C) / 69 F (21 C); Gulf temperature 80F (27 C)

Summer in Fort Myers

Starting in mid-March, temperatures climb above 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius) climbing through May to 92 degrees Fahrenheit (33 degrees Celsius) by late July and into August. Summer is also the rainy season, so be sure to pack a raincoat and umbrella as June, July, and August each get over nine inches of rain annually. Don't let the rain fool you into forgetting your sunscreen, as you'll need to use it even on overcast days to avoid harmful UV rays of the summer sun.

What to Pack: Spring heats up pretty constantly into summer, meaning you won't need to bring more than swimwear, shorts, T-shirts, and light shoes or flip-flops throughout both of these seasons. You'll definitely want to pack a raincoat and umbrella if you're traveling to Fort Myers in the summer, but also make sure to bring light, breathable clothing for the 90-degree highs on warm, sunny days.

Average Air and Water Temperatures by Month:

• June: 92 F (33 C) / 74 F (23 C); Gulf temperature 83 F (28 C)
• July: 92 F (33 C) / 74 F (23 C); Gulf temperature 86 F (30 C)
• August: 92 F (33 C) / 75 F (24 C); Gulf temperature 87 F (31 C)

Fall in Fort Myers

The rains continue into September and dry up as the weather begins to cool off in mid-to-late-October, but lows only get down to about 60 degrees Fahrenheit (16 degrees Celsius) in late November. Unlike other places further north in the United States, Florida doesn't really experience the cooled-off fall, and it's only in winter when you'll need to bring a coat of any variety.

What to Pack: While the rains subside in October and November, the warm weather (including in the Gulf) doesn't, meaning you'll have plenty of opportunities to enjoy some fun in the sun in the fall each year. As a result, you will just need to bring sandals, shorts, light T-shirts, and maybe a long-sleeved shirt if you're prone to getting chilly at night.

Average Air and Water Temperatures by Month:

• September: 91 F (33 C / 74 F (23 C); Gulf temperature 85 F (29 C)
• October: 87 F (31 C) / 69 F (21 C); Gulf temperature 83 F (28 C)
• November: 81 F (27 C), 62 F (17 C); Gulf temperature 77 F (25 C)

Winter in Fort Myers

In the winter months of December, January, and February, most of the state cools down significantly, but Fort Myers remains relatively warm throughout the season and gets little rainfall. There's never really much need for more than a light jacket this time of year, and even in the winter, Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Island are the preferred destinations for many shell-seeking vacationers; in fact, the American Sandsculpting Championship Festival is held on Fort Myers Beach near the end of November each year.

What to Pack: Since Fort Myers doesn't usually experience much of a winter—in terms of precipitation and temperature—you won't need to pack more than a light sweater or jacket to survive most nights in southwest Florida. You can even take advantage of the great, nearly empty beaches in January and February, so be sure to bring a bathing suit and beach blanket if you plan to do some sunbathing while you're in town.

Average Air and Water Temperatures by Month:

• December: 77 F (25 C) / 56 F (13 C); Gulf temperature 72 F (22 C)
• January: 75 F (24 C) / 54 F (12 C); Gulf temperature 67 F (19 C)
• February: 77 F (25 C) / 56 F (13 C); Gulf temperature 68 F (20 C)