Why is Naples, Fl so much colder than Miami, Fl in the winter (warm, recorded)

[Majami]

Both are at a similar latitude though Miami is a bit more southerly. The Miami measurements are done at the airport whereas I have no idea where the measurements are done at Naples. Naples is due east of the Gulf, being due east of water is often even more moderating than being due west like Miami.

Naples, FL for March: Naples March Weather 2016 - AccuWeather Forecast for FL 34102

Miami, FL for March: Miami March Weather 2016 - AccuWeather Forecast for FL 33128

so let's look at the averages as of March 29th (so everything is crunched up to March 29th)

Miami FL:

Highest Recorded Temperature: 91 degrees
Lowest Recorded Temperature: 57 degrees

Naples FL

Highest Recorded Temperature: 87 degrees
Lowest Recorded Temperature: 50 degrees

Miami FL:

Average High: 83.3 F
Average Low: 69.4 F

Naples FL:

Average High: 81.21 F
Average Low: 64.3 F

Miami FL:

Days >= 90: 1
Days >= 85: 14
Days >= 80: 24
Days >= 75: 27
Days >= 70: 28

Mornings < 80: 28
Mornings < 75: 26
Mornings < 70: 10
Mornings < 65: 4
Mornings < 60: 2
Mornings < 55: 0

Naples FL:

Days >= 90: 0
Days >= 85: 5
Days >= 80: 18
Days >= 75: 27
Days >= 70: 28

Mornings < 80: 28
Mornings < 75: 28
Mornings < 70: 23
Mornings < 65: 13
Mornings < 60: 6
Mornings < 55: 2
Mornings < 50: 0

I bolded the relevant distinction that jumped out at me.

[AJ1013]

Naples is usually slightly cooler than Miami in the winter due to a variety of reasons but mainly UHI and Miami's position on the warm Atlantic. This second component is what played the most significant part on the tenperature discrepancy this past month, because this month was much above average and featured a prolonged period under the influence of the Bermuda High, winds were east/southeast the majority of the time. For Miami an airflow in this direction is extremely moist and warm during the winter months significantly inhibiting nighttime cooling (hence the much higher average low temp). The reason for the diferences in lowest temperatures this past march is due to the fact that the single cool airmass that managed to penetrate the south this month featured a North/Northeast airflow which, as I explained above is much more impactful for cities on the east coast when compared to areas like Naples

[Weatherguru]

Miami has an Urban Heat Island I am guessing.

[BullochResident]

It must be the UHI. Why? Orlando has hit 90 F this month and not been able drop below 50 F, and they are much farther north than both cities and inland.

Proof


Also, another thing I want to point out: wind direction means everything along the FL coast during the cooler months. Whoever gets the land breeze ends up colder. A NE wind will allow the west coast to be cooler. A NW wind will allow the east coast to be cooler.

[Majami]

Originally Posted by BullochResident

It must be the UHI. Why? Orlando has hit 90 F this month and not been able drop below 50 F, and they are much farther north than both cities and inland.

Proof


Also, another thing I want to point out: wind direction means everything along the FL coast during the cooler months. Whoever gets the land breeze ends up colder. A NE wind will allow the west coast to be cooler. A NW wind will allow the east coast to be cooler.

Well Orlando did drop to 48 F this month: Orlando March Weather 2016 - AccuWeather Forecast for FL 32801

But overall it looks like UHI explains the most of it.

Interestingly enough, Tampa's lowest temperature was also 50F, same as Naples : Tampa March Weather 2016 - AccuWeather Forecast for FL 33602 despite being further north.

[tom77falcons]

Originally Posted by Weatherguru

Miami has an Urban Heat Island I am guessing.

I think it is worth noting how much warmer the water off of Miami is in winter vs Naples. There is a significant difference in SST in winter between east and west coasts. I'll bet before there was any development in either city the east coast was warmer in winter. The big difference in Jan averages between the two locales is only really on the low temperature 60F vs 54F.




Even Stuart is warmer than Naples on the Jan low temps, and places in the Keys are warmer than both Miami and Naples on low temps with all that warm water around.