Winters in Phoenix versus Tampa, FL (better, compare, place, cons)

[New Horizons]

I was just curious what the general consensus was on the winter weather in these two cities, say from roughly October to April.

I moved here to Phoenix from St. Petersburg, FL about 5 months ago. The weather is amazing this time of the year. You get these cool days in the low 70's but there isn't a cloud in the sky. Nighttime temps are in the mid 40's but it makes for good sleeping weather.

Of course the Tampa Bay area is know for it's great winter season too. Obviously it's more humid there (even in the winter). Their cool downs are precluded by rainy weather, then it's cool and drier, then then it warms up again, wait for another front, etc.

We'll, I'll spare you all the amateur meteorological lesson and let you decide!

[2Easy]

I think that Phoenix is going to get a little colder as we're technically not even in winter yet. Both are nice in winter, but if you like it warmer I think that Tampa is better. Both are great though!

[Prickly Pear]

Well, Phoenix winters are great, and I love them. However, it will go from wearing a light sweater and feeling great to needing a coat and feeling cold really quickly. We have no humidity to keep it mild here. Once the sun is down, all warmth is gone. But you have experience in this. Nothing that really compares to this. And I like it cold.

With that being said, I haven't been to Florida in the winter time. I tend to like humidity in general so I'd probably like their winter better but frankly I can't say for sure. So, I'll vote Phoenix because I know it well.

[Vlajos]

Phoenix is nearly hell on earth. Go with Tampa, it's on a nice big body of water.

[New Horizons]

Originally Posted by Vlajos

Phoenix is nearly hell on earth. Go with Tampa, it's on a nice big body of water.

Hell, as in a hot place? Are you saying winter in Phoenix is hotter than a winter in Tampa? Weather.com is calling for a low in the 30's in a week.

[Bobloblawslawblog]

In the 8 years I lived in Phoenix, the winters overall were extremely pleasant. When I say "winter in Phoenix", I'm referring to roughly Thanksgiving through St. Patrick's Day. Actually, it occasionally can get a little cold in Phoenix. Mainly late at night or early in the morning. I remember a few mornings when the temps dipped into the upper 20's, but it's very rare. Typically I was wearing t-shirts throughout the winters there. However, because Phoenix is so much drier than Tampa, there can be a big plunge in nighttime temps. Tampa is probably a bit warmer in the winter, but it's also more humid. I guess it all depends on whether you prefer your winters warm and dry, or warm and wet.

[Iconographer]

Winter humidity in Tampa? There really is none to speak of, except for that related to the occasional rainstorm. It usually breaks about October and returns around February/March.

[New Horizons]

Here is a shot of the current conditions in St. Petersburg. It's 91 percent humidity right now. I recall many nights in November and December there, running my window AC unit just to dry out the air in my room.

Originally Posted by LovinDecatur

Winter humidity in Tampa? There really is none to speak of, except for that related to the occasional rainstorm. It usually breaks about October and returns around February/March.