Cueva Ventana, or "window cave," in Arecibo, Puerto Rico
Is Puerto Rico More Humid than Florida?
Florida, surrounded by the warm Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean is the most humid state in the USA, according to their average dew point temperature. However, Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory in the tropical Caribbean is even more humid than Florida.
Key West City, the most humid city on mainland USA has an average relative humidity of 75.8%.
San Juan, the capital city of Puerto Rico has an average relative humidity of 78.3% which is 3.2% muggier than Key West, Florida.
(Many cities in Puerto Rico are more humid than San Juan).
Relative Humidty Compairson
Puerto Rico & Humidity
Puerto Rico varies slightly in its levels of humidity due to two factors – the time of year and differences in altitude. Although different sources disagree slightly on the exact humidity percentage, they all agree that the average daily humidity is between 64 and 80%.
For example, the daily relative humidity at San Juan is around 75%, although this figure varies between 71% in the month of March, and 78% in October. In addition, the city of Ponce, located on the island’s south coast, receives its highest relative humidity of 71% in November, which drops to 64% in March.
The capital city of Puerto Rico - San Juan
Therefore, although high relative humidity is a constant occurrence in Puerto Rico, it varies slightly, with lower levels in February, March, and April. As expected, the lower the temperatures are, the less intense the humidity is. Therefore, in areas with a higher elevation, the humidity feels marginally less – however, 70% humidity in around 80°F (27°C) still feels rather warm.
Florida & Humidity
A “storm” in Key West, Florida
The USA state of Florida is also well-known for its oppressive levels of humidity, which can reach large heights. Due to its location within a subtropical climate zone, as well as Florida, being surrounded by large areas of warm seawater on its eastern, southern, and western sides, different parts of the state experience a difference in the seasonal variation of its climate.
Northern Florida & Seasonal Variations
Northern Florida receives marked seasonal variations in its weather, with four main seasons occurring. These include a mild and short winter, and a rather long and hot summer which extends from May to October.
Humidity levels in this region look rather similar to that of San Juan’s – for example, in the city of Jacksonville, the relative humidity hovers between 69 and 76%, peaking at around the mid-70s from July to September, and falling to its lowest value during the spring months.
However, as is the case throughout much of northern Florida, annual temperature variations are relatively large in Jacksonville – maxima during the winter months are typically below 70°F (21°C), but typically reach 90°F (32°C) in June, July, and August.
Therefore, although humidity levels are near-constant, it is only uncomfortably noticeable during the summer and early fall months, whereas during winter and the early spring, it is not an issue.
Aerial view of Miami, Florida
Southern Florida & Humidity
Similar levels of humidity are found throughout much of Florida. The city of Miami is located on the state’s south-eastern coast – here, relative humidity levels are generally rather high, peaking at 75% in December, and dropping to 70% in March.
However, the seasonal temperature variation is more limited in southern Florida than it is in northern areas of the state, with hot and humid weather a more common occurrence the further south one travels. In Miami, maximum temperatures typically peak at 73°F (23°C) in January, and max out at above 85°F (29°C) in July, August, and September.
7 Mile Bridge - Key West (Florida, USA)
Therefore, although relative humidity levels around Miami, Fort Myers, and the Everglades are similar to that of northern Florida, uncomfortable levels of humidity are experienced for more of the year in southern parts of the state than it is around Jacksonville, Tallahassee, and their surrounding areas.
Conclusion: Puerto Rico = More humid than florida
The humidity in both Puerto Rico and Florida is similar, with both areas commonly experiencing levels of relative humidity between 64 and 78%. If anything, data from Puerto Rico suggests a slightly larger range of humidity levels than Florida, although this may be due to southern Puerto Rico experiencing lower amounts of moist air than the north coast does.
However, the level of humidity ‘felt’ in both regions varies between the regions – this is influenced by seasonal variations in climate, which occur significantly more in Florida than in Puerto Rico. Whereas particularly northern parts of Florida may not notice the humidity much in the winter months, it is a constant occurrence in Puerto Rico.
Valentina is a guide for Pedal Chile and is our geology expert. Valentina has been in love with volcanoes ever since she first saw Villarrica glowing in her native country of Chile. Valentina was born and raised in La Patagonia, which probably explains her affinity for adventuring. When Valentina isn’t crushing some poor dude’s soul, you can find her shredding down Rucapillán.
Sources & References for “Is Puerto Rico More Humid Than Florida?”
climate-Data.org. “San Juan Climate: Average Temperature, Weather by Month, San Juan Water Temperature - Climate-Data.org.” En.climate-Data.org, en.climate-data.org/north-america/united-states-of-america/puerto-rico/san-juan-986/.
Florida Climate Center. “Humidity - Florida Climate Center.” Climatecenter.fsu.edu, climatecenter.fsu.edu/topics/humidity.
“Miami, FL - Detailed Climate Information and Monthly Weather Forecast.” Weather Atlas, www.weather-us.com/en/florida-usa/miami-climate#humidity_relative.
“Orlando, FL - Detailed Climate Information and Monthly Weather Forecast.” Weather Atlas, www.weather-us.com/en/florida-usa/orlando-climate#humidity_relative.
Weather Atlas. “Jacksonville, FL - Detailed Climate Information and Monthly Weather Forecast.” Weather Atlas, www.weather-us.com/en/florida-usa/jacksonville-climate#humidity_relative.
Weather Atlas. “Key West, FL - Detailed Climate Information and Monthly Weather Forecast.” Weather Atlas, www.weather-us.com/en/florida-usa/key-west-climate#humidity_relative.