When does rainy season start in Florida? Here’s what to know

ORLANDO, Fla. – As spring gives way to summer, Central Florida is dealing with an increasing threat of wildfires as drought conditions worsen.

Throughout April, a significant portion of the area has fallen under moderate to severe drought, leaving the area vulnerable to brush fires.

Typically, the transition to the rainy season begins in the latter part of May, marked by a noticeable increase in humidity and the return of our daily sea breezes.

Once the humidity returns, it usually doesn’t take long for the first showers and thunderstorms to appear almost every afternoon.

This pattern is typical for many areas in Central Florida, including Orlando and Sanford, where the rainy season often starts around May 27. Daytona Beach and Melbourne follow closely behind, with their rainy season beginning on May 30 and May 28, respectively.

However, the onset of the rainy season can vary from year to year. Some seasons kick off as early as the first week of May, while others may hold off until June.

For instance, in 1998 the rainy season didn’t truly begin until the first week of July, showcasing how variable the timing to of rainy season can be.