Ft. Myers and all of Southwest Florida has a tropical climate with distinct seasons that may not be apparent to some, but are readily apparent to locals.  Travel to the area at any given time promises abundant sunshine, as the area experiences around 340 days of sunshine per year.  The sun's rays are incredibly strong here, even on a deceivingly chilly day in January.  Visitors should prepare accordingly, always packing sunblock, sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat, regardless of the time of year.

I'll break the year down into seasons, beginning with summer:

Temperatures vary according to the time of year, with the months of May through October being the warmest and most humid.  The sun is also at it's strongest - brutally so.  The heat and humidity really peak in July, August and September, as do the mosquitos in some areas.  If you plan to be anywhere there is brush, lots of trees or standing fresh water, plan on there being mosquitos and "no see ums" - a tiny speck of a bug whose bites you will definitely feel, even if you can't see them.  Hurricane "season" begins June 1, and ends November 30, but hurricane activity is linked to the heat of the Gulf waters, so naturally, peak hurricane activity can be expected between late July and early October.  Tropical waves, depressions and storms also are a possibility this time of year, although usually they are tracked several days in advance.    During the summer months - here, that means June through the end of September - you can almost guarantee it will rain nearly every day.  Now, this rain does not monopolize the day, as most days begin sunny, warm and humid.  As the day goes by, the clouds build to magnificent grandeur - unlike anything I've seen anywhere else.  HUGE, voluptuous, crisply defined clouds fill the sky and become heavy and dark by afternoon - nearly blue black  in areas - a most ominous yet impressive sight.  You KNOW you'd better take shelter on witnessing the sky.  Finally by 3-5pm, the skies open and the rain comes in torrents.  This can be blinding rain that makes is nearly impossible to see well enough to drive.  This is nearly always accompanied by the most incredible lightning display - thick bolts that spider web across the sky, and sky splitting, earth shattering thunder.  The storms here are an awesome sight, and are only best enjoyed when safely indoors.  Lightning is nothing to mess around with here, as several people have died recently after having been struck by lightning.  Always head for shelter at the first sign of impending storm - but NEVER under a tree or near any tall object, such as an antenna or tower.  These storms rarely last more than an hour or so, then clear for the rest of the afternoon/evening.  Immediately after a storm, particularly in the heat of late summer, steam will rise from the streets - it truely is like a sauna.  Those who plan to fly in or out in the afternoon hours - be prepared for a bumpy time until over the clouds - or even delays if the storms are intense over the airport.  Temperatures in the peak of summer can be expected to be no lower than upper 70's at night, upper 90's during the day.  Early and late summer, not so extreme.  I've never seen it reach 100 deg here, but 98 deg with 90% humidity can be a killer.  If you'll be outdoors, always have plenty of water on hand.  In the summer months, it is never cool in the evening - I doubt even those with the thinnest blood will need a sweater in the evenings, however, as every facility is air conditioned, some keep their temperatures a little too cool for my taste.   Shorts and tanks/T's can be worn in all but the most exclusive restaurants, although it wouldn't hurt to pack a pair of khakis and a light cotton/linen shirt to wear out.  Sandals or flip flops can be worn nearly anywhere and with nearly any outfit other than a suit or tux.  I haven't worn panty hose since I moved here.  Most women are bare legged with strappy sandals, even in a dressy dress or formal, if only because of the heat.  Just be sure those legs are tanned - either chemically or naturally. (wear sunscreen!!)

Fall can be the best time of year to visit SWF, as it is technically before "season" (before all the snowbirds and tourists arrive) yet the weather cools enough to enjoy the outdoors.  I consider fall to be a tiny window running from the beginning of November to early/mid January.  The weather is pleasant and the humidity has dropped.  Daytime temperatures can still reach comfortably into the 80's, but at night can cool off into the 50's.  This is also when we get our first series of cold fronts - they can knock the temps down into the 70's during the day and 40's at night, but usually don't last more than a day or so before returning to their norm.  The days are shortening and the atmosphere becomes just very pleasant without the high humidity.  The holidays are in full swing and every place is decorated festively.  If you plan to be outdoors in the evening, prepare by taking a jacket or sweater.  60 degrees in an area with 20% humidity can feel very different than 60 deg with 65% humidity, especially if it's breezy.

Winter runs from mid/late January to March.  The days run from warm to cold (to me) - 70's to low 80's, down to the 50's at times.   Sometimes the cold fronts last for days/week, with highs reaching no higher than the 60's.  Other times, the days are highs in the 70's-80 for weeks at a time.  The coldest I've seen it is in the 30's - we had ice on the palms.  One year, it hit around 31-32 and didn't warm for a day or two - only high in the 40's.  It's best to prepare for anything - long pants, sweaters, jackets, shorts, swimsuits.  The days are short but sunny.  The weather can be very deceiving.  It can be cool and breezy, and you can still get a killer sunburn.  If you will be outdoors - golfing, walking, biking - wear sunblock, a hat and sunglasses.   It very  rarely rains in the winter, and when it does, it's usually associated with a front.  The rain in the winter is very different than the summer.  It will be an overcast, gloomy sky and can rain light to moderately all day.  After the front passes through it clears.  This rain is not accompanied by the lightning you see in the summer, but still be on guard for signs of electrical activity.  This is the most popular time for the snowbirds (retirees with a summer home up north and a winter home here) as the weather up north is usually at it's most miserable.  The roads fill to the brim with cars and traffic is at it's worst.  Plan to stay off the roads during rush hour - 7-9:30am and 3-6:30pm, unless you like sitting in traffic gridlock. 

Spring is another very pleasant time of year, and very popular with visitors as well.  This runs from March through late May.   The days become more consistently warm, with cold snaps becoming few and far between.  The days are getting longer and more people are outdoors enjoying the sun, warmth and low humidity.  Locals break out the shorts (I rarely wear shorts in the winter months, but I also grab a sweater when it dips below 75 deg) and flip flops and put away the sweaters.  Rain is rare and follows the winter pattern - light to moderate with little lightning, but can be an all day ordeal.  This year has been very dry with weeks/months passing without a drop in some areas.   Traffic is still heavy, but is thinning out.  Spring breakers are here, but not nearly the numbers seen in other Florida cities.  Snowbirds are packing up and heading north, depending on the weather up there.  If it's still miserable, they stay here longer.   This is a prime time to visit also, as the rainy season hasn't started yet (summer), the crowds are thinning, but the weather is primo.  Local attractions that draw children are wide open, except during spring break and then when schools let out. 

 As a rule, in the summer, it is cooler by the Gulf coastal areas, and warmer inland.  In the winter it is opposite, warmer by the Gulf, cooler inland.   Enjoy your Southwest Florida vacation - it can be great whatever time of year you choose.