Summer in April

You’ll have to forgive us if we are a little over-excited at this time of year, but the reason is very simple: Summer is here.

Well, almost. The fact is, Spring is a VERY short season in Florida, and summer does actually arrive extremely quickly, especially if you’re used to the British seasons, where summer might not be in evidence until June.

Typically, once we see the daytime temperatures consistently hit 30C, we can be sure any thoughts of milder weather are firmly in the rear-view mirror.

Well, this month started off with several days right on the 30 mark, and the past week has been comfortably in the 27-29 range. The 10-day forecast for Central Florida is also indicating temperatures reaching as high as 35C, and that is definitely ahead of schedule.

In fact, the meteorologists are talking about record temperatures in the latter half of the month, hence Floridians will definitely be switching their furnaces from ‘Heat’ to ‘A/C’! It’s also amusing to see the weather channels describing this as “Warm and sunny” when the UK reaction would be “Phew! What a scorcher!”

So what’s normal for April?

Typically, April is an idyllic month of steady warmth and cool mornings, with not so much rain and none of the humidity that marks out high summer. But things are changing, slowly but surely.

The historic average high temperature for this month is around 28C, with the low at 16 (still nice enough for tea on the lanai of your villa in the morning!). In recent years, we have seen those averages nearer 31 and 20.

The usual monthly rainfall for April is in the region of 2.5 inches, which is more than the UK, but then Orlando’s precipitation tends to be more concentrated, i.e. it falls on fewer days. You rarely get the grey, drizzly days that are the epitome of a British spring.

Florida’s weather is also inclined to clear up quicker, thanks to the faster-moving air currents across the US. A big rainstorm might drop 1-2 inches in an hour or so, but it will be all gone and bright and sunny again in a few hours.

In short, the April climate is ideally suited to tourism, albeit we ARE seeing that steady increase in temperature. But, without the real humidity of June-September, it isn’t as energy-sapping. Let’s just call it Pre-Summer.

The summer sizzler

For those keen amateur meteorologists (and those who just like to obsess about the weather), the key factor once June arrives is the humidity. Because, as many of you will already know, high humidity just adds to the Heat Index, or the “real feel” of the temperature.

So, if the mercury reaches 32C but the humidity reads 80 per cent, it actually feels more like 35 or 36. This week, we’ve seen the Heat Index reach 35C, and some forecasters are even predicting a Heat Index that hits 100F/37.7C before the end of the month, and that is true summer heat.

There is even an early glimpse of the “50 per cent chance of thunderstorms” forecast that we usually see from June to September, when Central Florida gets pelted with thundery downpours, strong wind gusts and, occasionally, some serious hail. It’s a typical weather pattern for this part of the world, just a month or so early.

Just to allay any fears, if you’re worried about the sound of thunderstorms and other violent weather, it isn’t any real cause for concern. The tropical-style downpours can appear quickly but disappear just as fast, and they often leave lovely bright weather behind them.

In fact, we often joke that the weather forecasters put up the prediction of “50 per cent chance of storms” at the end of May, and then leave it in place for four months or so. It’s their way of saying “Maybe it will, and maybe it won’t,” but someone’s going to get wet on any given afternoon. Just keep an eye on the Weather app on your phone and be ready to duck inside for half an hour or so.

April is just perfect

The essential message right now is that if you’re looking for summer in April, come on down! The current weather will definitely float your boat.

That may all sound rather frivolous, but the essential message is one of “be prepared.” Do bring a lightweight rain jacket or poncho with you (or buy one at one of the big shops like Walmart and Target) and be ready to use it. But don’t think that a forecast of “thunderstorms” is likely to create a rain-out. Florida weather simply doesn’t work like that.

The other good news to bear in mind at this time of year is that there are some great outdoor events to enjoy, and the weather rarely has a major effect on them.

At EPCOT, the fab International Flower & Garden Festival is into its second month (through to May 27), and there are some more tasty options in store as several of the outdoor kitchens change their menus in April or May.

The Garden Rocks concert series – which is free with park admission – has several British-flavoured bands on offer in the next few weeks, including Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone, and A Flock of Seagulls, both of which are hugely popular.

SeaWorld is hopping, too!

Meanwhile, SeaWorld is getting ready for its own party celebration. It may be winding down its tasty Seven Seas Food Festival, which concludes on May 19, but it will also go into full fiesta time for the weekends of April 25-28 and May 2-5 for the colourful annual treat of Cinco de Mayo.

This Mexican festival is packed with live entertainment, children’s activities and excellent food, with a special array of Latin American flavours. Look for the iconic tostada de barbacoas (beef, beans and cheese in crispy tostada shells), plus delicious regional beers and cocktails. There is also the bonus of live concerts at the Bayside Stadium.

Finally, May should also see the opening of SeaWorld’s exciting new ride, Penguin Trek, which will be the park’s eighth fully-fledged roller-coaster. We don’t know a specific date yet, but we suspect it will probably be the week before the big Memorial Day weekend (May 24-27). That is the official start of the summer vacation season in the US, and it makes sense for the new attraction to be fully tested ready for the holiday hordes.

We can’t wait for this one and, once again, it will underline the fact that (early) summer is all go in Orlando!

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