As someone who arrived from the Pacific NW, I found the weather in Panama City to be quite unique. I'm used to weather following the seasons. Where I lived most of my life:
Panama City, Florida's weather is really different. Warmth is pretty constant. I went from wearing sweats all the time back in WA to wearing shorts all the time, now that I'm here. I'm a fashion diva, to be sure! 😁
There are exceptions to the rule though. With La Niña popping in from time to time, I have experienced short bouts of faily wicked cold snaps during what would be winter months. 30's and 40's come across as mighty chilly here. I'm glad I kept a few pairs of sweats stored away in the back of my closet!
Panama City has a humid, sub-tropical climate. The warmth was a nice change from what I was used to back in the Pacific NW, but the humidity was something else. Not a fan of that sticky humidity, but it is what it is. When it's low, the warmth of the sun is wonderful.
Let me tell you that it's weird to have to have my air conditioner on, all the time. It's necessary though. Keeping the AC on prevents mold and mildew growth because of the humidity. What you set your thermostat as is personal preference, but I tend to keep my set at 77 during the day and 78 at night, setting it on auto. I know that sounds a bit strange, but that one degree actually makes a difference. Maybe it's just me. Just expect higher electric bills.
Bay County averages 241 days of sun and receives an average of 55 inches of rain per year, with the majority of the rain coming down during the summer months. Weird, huh? It's so strange to me to have it rain and be hot at the same time.
Here is a more detailed breakdown of the weather in Panama City, Florida by month:
Since moving here to the Panhandle, I can honestly say something I've never said in my life: I look forward to winter! My perfect temperature is around 70°. Maybe a tad more. That is when I am at my most comfortable. Not too hot and not too cool.
I'm sure you have probably heard that we do have tornadoes and hurricanes here, from time to time. It doesn't have to be scary as long as you're informed and prepared for such a thing as these. It's also not something that happens all the time. Check my Hurricanes And Tornadoes In Panama City page for everything you need to know.
As you can see, Panama City weather and weather in Florida in general is something you may have to get used to, depending on where you're coming from. Panama City hosts a lot of great weather, but it does have it's downsides as well. Which place in the world doesn't? Let's be real. It's the trade off you make to live at the beach and the water. A trade-off I'm more than willing to make. ☀️
I would say that how you dress for your time in Panama City and Panama City Beach is more functional than stylish. Panama City, Florida is pretty cosmopolitan, where people tend to dress casually, but smartly. You remember watching the 80's television show, "Miami Vice?" Pretend you're Sonny Crockett. Well, kind of. 😉
For the casual dress of the day, you'll find that most people wear shorts, thin t-shirts, and sandals or flip flops. Moving from WA, since I work from home, I traded in my full-time sweats ensemble for full-time shorts. I wear shorts EVERYWHERE now, year-round! It's always a good idea to include hats and sunglasses. A really popular style of hat here that keeps you protected from the sun and is quite stylish is the Sun Hat, popular with both men and women. Check them out.
For Panama City Beach, you can pack casual clothing like shorts, tank tops, capris, and t-shirts. If you want to pack a fancier outfit for a really nice day or evening out, go for it. There's no judgement down here.
For dealing with the humidity, it's best to wear light colors like white, tan, or khaki. Light colors reflect the sun's rays rather than absorbing them. Black is not a good idea, for that very fact.
I would recommend that you also pack:
For any unpredictable weather in Panama City (we'll call it that), you may consider bringing with you:
Comfortable shorts, a lightweight coat, a sturdy umbrella, sturdy, non-slip sandals, a raincoat, and a moderate cover-up. Of course, when you move here, bring everything with you! If you come from a colder weather state, there may be a yard sale in your near future. 😁
How about the impact weather in Panama City has out on the beach? The weather definitely affects the waters of Panama City Beach and how you enjoy it. Let's talk about it.
The average Gulf Of Mexico water temperature is a pleasant 72 degrees, although it's been getting warmer with each passing year. In 2023, it was bathwater warm at over 85°.
Even though it's really cool that you can run directly into the ocean waters without a worry of freezing your tush off, there is one one downside: Hot water is juice for hurricanes. Pay attention to conditions around you and stay updated on the weather. There is a good weather app you can download called Storm Track 13 that will keep you in the know. Get it here.
We do have beach flags that are flown every day to keep you in the know about whether it's safe for a swim or not. Check out my Beach Flags page for all the info you need to know.
The beaches are great when the conditions are favorable and the weather in Panama City is something to always take note of. I want you to stay safe and have a terrific time.