Travel · 8 min read

Best Places for Snowbirds: Winter Weather in 12 Destinations Compared

By Emma Clarke · October 22, 2026

Every winter, millions of Americans and Canadians trade snow and ice for a few months of sunshine. But spending the whole winter somewhere is different from a one-week beach trip: you get the coldest weeks of January, the rainy spells and the chilly evenings too. We compared 12 popular snowbird destinations over the full season from November through March, looking not only at daytime highs but also at cold nights and sea temperatures.

Photo: Sonoran Desert National Monument, Arizona, Bureau of Land Management, Wikimedia Commons (public domain)

Why a whole winter is different from a vacation

For a short trip, the daytime high is what matters most. If you stay three to five months, the nights, the coldest weeks and the overall consistency count just as much. A place that is lovely in March can feel surprisingly chilly on a January evening, and a few rainy days are easy to ignore on a vacation but harder over a whole season. That is why the table below includes the coldest nights of the winter as well as the averages.

The comparison: 12 snowbird destinations, November to March

Averages for November through March, 2015-2024. Coldest nights: the average low in January or February, whichever is lower. Sea: average sea surface temperature in January 2024 and 2025. Source: ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo and Open-Meteo Marine; model values for a grid cell, not official station records. Shallow coastal waters, such as along Florida's Gulf coast, can differ by a degree or two from local beach readings.

The differences in daytime warmth are smaller than many people expect: most destinations average about 21°C (70°F) to 26°C (79°F) by day. The big differences are at night. In Honolulu and San Juan the nights stay around 20°C (68°F) or warmer all winter, in South Florida around 17°C (63°F) to 19°C (66°F), but in the Arizona desert they drop to about 5°C (41°F) in January.

Florida: the classic choice

Miami is the warmest place on the US mainland in winter, averaging 25.4°C (78°F) from November through March, with nights around 19°C (66°F) and a sea of about 24°C (75°F) in January. Winter is the dry season in South Florida, although a cold front can bring a few cool, windy days.

On the Gulf coast, Naples is just as warm by day (26°C, 79°F) but cooler at night, and the shallow Gulf waters cool to around 19°C (66°F) in January. Further north, Tampa and Orlando average about 24°C (75°F) by day, but January nights fall to around 11°C (52°F) to 12°C (54°F), and an occasional frost is possible inland. The further south you go in Florida, the more reliable the warmth.

Arizona and the desert Southwest: sunny, dry and cool nights

Phoenix, Tucson and Palm Springs attract snowbirds with their sunshine and very dry air. They average about 21°C (70°F) by day over the winter and have only a few rainy days a month. The catch is the nights: desert air cools quickly after sunset, and in January the average low is about 6°C (43°F) in Phoenix and 5°C (41°F) in Tucson, with frost on some nights. Palm Springs has milder nights, around 9°C (48°F). December and January are the coolest months; by March, highs are back in the mid-70s °F.

South Texas and Southern California

The Rio Grande Valley in South Texas, around McAllen and South Padre Island, is so popular with retirees that they have their own name: Winter Texans. It averages 24.8°C (77°F) by day, warmer than Tampa or Orlando, with nights around 15°C (59°F). Cold fronts, known locally as northers, can bring a sudden chilly spell.

San Diego is the mildest option in California, at 18.6°C (65°F) by day, but it is the coolest destination in our list, and the Pacific stays around 15°C (59°F): pleasant for walking, golf and sightseeing, but not for swimming.

Hawaii, Mexico and Puerto Rico: summer all winter

If you want real warmth every day, look further south. Honolulu averages 25.5°C (78°F) with nights around 21°C (70°F) and a sea of 25°C (77°F); winter is the wetter season in Hawaii, but showers are usually brief on the leeward side of Oahu. Puerto Vallarta on Mexico's Pacific coast averages 27.0°C (81°F) and is in its dry season, with very little rain. San Juan in Puerto Rico is the warmest in our list at 28.6°C (83°F), with a sea of about 28°C (82°F); it is humid, and short tropical showers are common, but they rarely last long.

How warm is it month by month?

January is the coolest month almost everywhere. The gap between destinations is largest in January and February: the tropical destinations stay in the upper 70s to low 80s °F, while the desert and Central Florida drop to the mid to upper 60s °F.

Average daily high per month, 2015-2024.

Before you head south, check the 14-day forecast for your destination. Going for a shorter break? See where it is warm in December, January and February, and what to expect from this winter in our El Niño winter forecast.

Frequently asked questions

What is the warmest place for snowbirds in the US?
On the mainland, South Florida: Miami averages 25°C (77°F) from November through March, with nights around 19°C (66°F). Hawaii and Puerto Rico are warmer still, at about 26°C (79°F) to 29°C (84°F).

Is Arizona or Florida better for the winter?
Arizona is drier and sunnier, with daytime highs around 21°C (70°F), but the nights are cold, around 5°C (41°F) in January. South Florida is warmer and much milder at night, but more humid.

How cold does it get in Phoenix in winter?
In January, Phoenix averages a high of 19°C (66°F) and a low of 6°C (43°F). Frost is possible on clear nights, especially in the outer suburbs.

Where do Winter Texans go?
Mostly to the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas, around McAllen, Harlingen and South Padre Island. It averages 25°C (77°F) by day from November through March.

Check the weather in Miami or search another place on the locations page.