what's the usual weather like at Christmas time?

[beachbum wannabe]

Originally Posted by Big House

Well, I'm down here for the weekend - everyone was noting how cold it was - and it was maybe the high 60s (cold snap for here), today it was back in the 80s I believe. I watched the Pittsburgh game yesterday and saw the snow, so I was feeling pretty darn good about it all. I have a couple more trips planned, and they keep getting better and better. When are you coming down. I actually thought you have a place down here. - Where are ya?

Hey Buddy,Yeah I'm stuck here in Newfane,NY for a couple years til I retire from GM.(with a little luck) But we already have the retirement home down there in Englewood,FL, and we're coming down at Christmas with the kids,the dogs, and a U-haul trailer full of stuff for the new place, in tow! And I want to take a walk on the beach come Hell or cold water! I'd love to go fishing but do'nt know if i'll have time for that.

[Avalon08]

I was down last Christmas til end of Jan. Christmas was beautiful (beach weather) but then later there was a cold snap. Then later it got warm again but was cloudy EVERY AFTERNOON. Definitely was not the ideal season. I ended up getting bored and coming back North. I hope it was an anomaly.

[andyk56]

I've lived in Buffalo, Los Angeles, Boca Raton and Sarasota. Boca/Miami is the warmest water in winter because of the Gulf current. However, from Dec to Feb, they are all chilly with respect to water - or maybe a better term is "not warm". It all depends on the individual. I would not swim in the Gulf in Sarasota in winter but hanging out on the beach or a heated pool is great. You have to go to the Caribbean or Mexico to get warm water in the middle of winter.

BTW, WNY lake water is warmer than 55 in the summer (all 2 months of it). Remember they're shallow lakes. It's actually slightly warmer than California Pacific water for that short period.

[Alaska to Florida]

The wife and I were in Port Charlotte in early Feb 2007 and found the Gulf beaches very enjoyable, not very crowded, sunny skies and balmy waters. We wore T-shirts, shorts and sandals the whole time we were there. When we got back to Anchorage though, it was -20F, so we had to open our suit case and find our coats, pants and shoes before we could leave the airport. We are looking forward to moving down in 2010.

[Avalon08]

I forgot to mention above -- I spent last Christmas Day on the beach (Anna Maria Island). It was glorious! The sky was clear, the sun was shining and the air was warm. The beach was packed. I don't remember going in the water, though; I think it was pretty cold. By late afternoon, it was very chilly but I was determined I was staying on the beach to watch the sunset over the Gulf on Christmas. I agree with Lady above -- always pack layers because you just don't know what each day down there will bring. I usually bring mostly capris, a few jeans or lightweight pants, and mostly sleeveless tops with sweaters and a few jackets.

[Big House]

Originally Posted by beachbum wannabe

Hey Buddy,Yeah I'm stuck here in Newfane,NY for a couple years til I retire from GM.(with a little luck) But we already have the retirement home down there in Englewood,FL, and we're coming down at Christmas with the kids,the dogs, and a U-haul trailer full of stuff for the new place, in tow! And I want to take a walk on the beach come Hell or cold water! I'd love to go fishing but do'nt know if i'll have time for that.

You're kinda going from one extreme to the other. Newfane is really close to the lake up there in NY. Boy, the winters get quite cold and raw there! I grew up just a little south and east of you in Dansville, almost straight south of Conesus Lake, the pinkie of the fingerlakes. I'm coming down before Christmas, and then again for a while after New Years. I want to spend a couple months in PGI and SWFL.