The high season is November to April. Temperatures sit in the low 20s Celsius, humidity is bearable, and the cultural and event calendar fills up — SunFest in May at the end of it. December and January can briefly drop into the single digits at night, which is when manatees gather at Manatee Lagoon.
May to September is hot, very humid, and prone to thunderstorms most afternoons. June through November is hurricane season; the city has good infrastructure and is well practised at evacuations, but a serious named storm can disrupt travel. The shoulder months — late April, October — are pleasant and quiet, with most attractions still on regular schedules.