The weather in Jacksonville is humid subtropical, and people moving to the city can expect plenty of sun. The city is in northeast Florida, the Sunshine State, and has more than 220 days of sunshine a year.
Residents should expect mild and largely dry winters (December to February). Daytime highs are usually around 68°F (20°C), and overnight lows are in the low 40s°F (around 5°C). On the coldest nights, temperatures can be close to or below freezing, and some new arrivals are surprised by these cold snaps.
Spring (March to May) is the driest and most comfortable season, and a good time to arrive and settle in.
Summers (June to August) are hot and humid, and July and August are the most intense. Daytime highs are often around 91°F (33°C). The humidity can be more of a shock than the heat. New arrivals are regularly surprised by how much hotter it feels than the actual air temperature, because the heat index is well above 100°F (38°C) on muggy afternoons. Afternoon thunderstorms are common, and the rain can be heavy. Jacksonville's yearly rainfall is roughly 52 inches (132 cm). That is well above the US average, and the wettest months are June to September.
Autumn is cooler, and many locals rate October as the best month of the year to be outdoors. It is also the tail end of hurricane season. The official Atlantic hurricane season is from the beginning of June to the end of November, and the risk is highest from August to October. Jacksonville is a little outside the main hurricane belt, so direct hits are less common than in South Florida. The area is brushed by a tropical system every couple of years on average, but a direct hurricane strike is much rarer. Tropical storms and hurricanes can still be dangerous, so follow the warnings and instructions from local authorities whenever a storm is forecast.
Plenty of new arrivals see Jacksonville as a comfortable middle ground: you get Florida's warmth and sunshine without the heavier heat and humidity you would find further south in a city like Miami.