Coming in July - what about t-storms ? (Tampa, Sarasota: rental, hotel)

[Ummagumma]

Hi,

We've been coming to Siesta Key with our kids for the last 4 years. However we typically come in late September / early October.

This year, I was forced to take 2 weeks mandatory vacation in early July, which along with another one in January would've wiped out my vacation time for this year. So we booked our usual trip for the first two weeks in July.

I've been looking at Sarasota weather for the last month or so, and it seems there's a thunderstorm practically every day. Our rented place is a short drive off the beach, but it does take quite a bit of packing to get kids & all that comes with them in / out of the car and to the beach.

So, the question for the locals - how bad is the rain ? How long does it usually last ? What is the best time to come to the beach to avoid the rain ? Is it safe to go in the water right after it stops raining (I read somewhere that's when sharks are coming closer to shore, following the fish).

Thanks !

[Ladywithafan]

Originally Posted by Ummagumma

Hi,

We've been coming to Siesta Key with our kids for the last 4 years. However we typically come in late September / early October.

This year, I was forced to take 2 weeks mandatory vacation in early July, which along with another one in January would've wiped out my vacation time for this year. So we booked our usual trip for the first two weeks in July.

I've been looking at Sarasota weather for the last month or so, and it seems there's a thunderstorm practically every day. Our rented place is a short drive off the beach, but it does take quite a bit of packing to get kids & all that comes with them in / out of the car and to the beach.

So, the question for the locals - how bad is the rain ? How long does it usually last ? What is the best time to come to the beach to avoid the rain ? Is it safe to go in the water right after it stops raining (I read somewhere that's when sharks are coming closer to shore, following the fish).

Thanks !

June through November is considered the "wet" season. Storms usually are in the afternoon from 3 p.m. on and usually start inland & work their way out to the beach. How long it lasts is anybody's guesss. Depends on the weather gods. It is not safe to go in the water if the sky is still looking stormy. I don't know about the shark closer to shore thing....but there are sharks closer to shore than you think, anyhow.

[Ummagumma]

Originally Posted by Ladywithafan

June through November is considered the "wet" season. Storms usually are in the afternoon from 3 p.m. on and usually start inland & work their way out to the beach. How long it lasts is anybody's guesss. Depends on the weather gods. It is not safe to go in the water if the sky is still looking stormy. I don't know about the shark closer to shore thing....but there are sharks closer to shore than you think, anyhow.

So it sounds that going to the beach in the morning and staying in the pool after the lunch should work fine

What's unsafe about swimming in the rain, then ? The waves ?

[Peter the Brit]

Lightening

[Ummagumma]

Originally Posted by Peter the Brit

Lightening

Oh, how dumb of me

Looking forward to the white sand, even if it's wet !

[movin-on-up!]

the thunder and lightening storms and their dramatic clouds can be fun and exciting to watch. just from a safe place. like the lanai of hotel room, or from inside your rental home. not so fun or safe to watch while you are in the water.

[Ladywithafan]

Originally Posted by Ummagumma

So it sounds that going to the beach in the morning and staying in the pool after the lunch should work fine

What's unsafe about swimming in the rain, then ? The waves ?

"If the thunder don't get ya, then the lightening will" (good ol grateful dead songs contain all the answers).

Tampa Bay area is the number #1 lightening capital of the United States.

[justNancy]

Don't expect 2 weeks of sunshine in the summer, although the sun usually shines for a few hours over 300 days a year. Rain rarely lasts for more than an hour, usually much less. Although a typical summer day is sunshine from about 7 to 2 and rain in the late afternoon, right now it's raining heavily and it's 12:30. Forecast for tomorrow is mostly cloudy. However, the rain is refreshing and, if you lived in Florida, you'd be one of those people who say "Thank goodness it's raining. We really need it!"

I used to visit Sarasota a lot and found many things to do on a cloudy day. Since you've been here before, you're probably familiar with these places, but I thought I'd mention a few anyway. Depending on the age of your children, you might enjoy going to Circus Sarasota, Mote Marine Laboratory or the Planetarium and Manatee Aquarium at the museum in Bradenton. There is also a Science Museum called G.WIZ, an acronym for Gulfcoast Wonder & Imagination Zone.

(just a personal note. I never would recommend a circus that cages & abuses wild animals. the above attractions are different.)

Don't be afraid of lightning, but respect its power and follow safety guidelines.

[MikeM8560]

When i lived in the NE it would be grey skies for day and rainy. thats why i like it here sunny most all day then an afternoon thunderstorm to cool things down then the sun usualy come out again before you know it.