October weather? (Tampa, Clearwater, Lakeland: live, prices, ranked)

[Leaving4Ca]

Finally coming to the Tampa area during the first week of October to visit friends and family and just take a look around. Part of the time we will be in Clearwater with friends and then Lakeland to see family that my husband has not seen in years and I have not even met yet!~

What is the weather like....? Is everyone still wearing sandals and capris or shorts in early October??


I've heard there are amazing orchid growers in the Lakeland area. Has anyone been to any of these places? I would love to see the flowers. I've also read about a flock of geese that lives in Lakeland. Anyone seen that??

[kmarc]

Ever since I've lived here, the general rule of thumb is that the weather "breaks" (meaning we get the first cool front and relief from six months of heat and humidity) around the second week in October. This can vary a week on either side, but yes, as a general rule, you'll still see sandals and shorts during the first week in October, unless the cool front is early.

[straw71]

you can check out grossorchids.com, that is a local grower in lakeland and there is some events coming up in October. Not sure about the geese, but we do have some swans , a lot of cranes around the lakes.
and yes you can wear shorts and flip flops in October, heck a lot of the time you can wear shorts in December also.

[LKJ1988]

Since the days are getting shorter and the sun lower in the south the days starts to get a tiny bit cooler. Dewpoints come down and summer type T- storms start to die off the last week of Sept. You can still get 90's in Oct. But the worst is about over.

[kmarc]

The best two months of the year here are October and November, IMO. The weather moderates somewhat from the summer heat and humidity, the season hasn't gotten cranked up yet and prices are lower for those looking to travel a bit in the area and take in some of the attractions.

[crazynip]

It's gonna be in the mid to high 80's with high humidity and mostly sunny with afternoon showers. It dont get cool here until late in october or november

[LKJ1988]

Originally Posted by crazynip

It's gonna be in the mid to high 80's with high humidity and mostly sunny with afternoon showers. It dont get cool here until late in october or november

Not always true. I remember back in Sept of 80 or 81 we got down to 58 for a low two days in a row and highs around 78. This was around Sept 18th or so if i remember right. Many times i have seen temps get down to around 58 or so in the first part of Oct. I can deal with mid 80's if dewpoints are around 65.

[JSnFla]

usually its still hottter than hell, humid and wet until the 3rd week in october. sometimes there is a rare cool down in early october but the highs will still be in the mid 80s. expect an 88/73 kind of situation with constant threat of storms.

[crazynip]

Originally Posted by CHASLS2

Not always true. I remember back in Sept of 80 or 81 we got down to 58 for a low two days in a row and highs around 78. This was around Sept 18th or so if i remember right. Many times i have seen temps get down to around 58 or so in the first part of Oct. I can deal with mid 80's if dewpoints are around 65.

There's always exceptions. But by and large what I said is accurate. I remember one halloween, I think 91 or 92 or so it was so damn cold when I went to a halloween party

[vaughanwilliams]

October is just like April, May, June, July, August and September. Windows will still be shut tight, A/C will be running full blast, people will still be sweating.