What to Expect from Miami Weather

Florida is called the Sunshine State, and none of its cities exemplify that better than Miami. It is the southernmost city in the state which means it is also the hottest due to its proximity to the Tropic of Cancer. Officially, it has what experts call a tropical monsoon climate. This means it is hot and wet in the summer and warm and dry in the winter.

More often than not, Miami weather is as sunny and vibrant as it is portrayed to be in television shows and movies. Temperatures tend to hover between the high 70s and mid 80s. During the height of summer, temperatures can easily reach the 90s. August is the hottest month, and its average temperature is 89.8 F. The record high for Miami in August was 100 degrees in July 1942.

Going to the beach in Miami is a wonderful excursion as the ocean provides a cool breeze that mitigates some of the heat. It also helps curb some of the intense humidity the city is known for. The humidity can make an 80 degree day feel like 160. For this reason, it is a good idea to stay near the coast where the breeze is. If you must be in the city, minimize your outdoor time during the spring and summer as much as possible. The evenings, fall and winter are quite pleasant. January is the coldest month with an average temperature of 59.5 degrees F and a record low of 30 degrees F.

Inclement weather can occasionally be an issue for Miami residents. Hurricanes hit the area every four years or so. Major hurricanes are less frequent, occurring less than once every 10 years. Miami has not been directly hit by a hurricane since Hurricane Cleo in 1964. Because of its location and the fact that it is surrounded by oceans and has a low-lying coast, it joins New Orleans and New York on the list of the three US cities most vulnerable to hurricanes.

Rainfall is average in Miami, hovering around 60 inches per year. Rainfall is spread out pretty evenly throughout the months, but June, August and September are the wettest. December, January and February are the driest.

As you can probably guess, snow is a real rarity in Miami, but it does happen. Snow in Miami has been recorded twice: once in January 1977 and again in January 2010. The first incident was a full blizzard, but the second was only flurries.

Miami is a great vacation spot any time of year. The beaches are beautiful and pleasant in the winter as well as the summer. Nightlife is also exciting and fun every day of the year. However, there are a few tips to ensure that you visit Miami at the best possible time. When considering both weather and price, April and May are definitely the best times to visit. The average temperatures are 82 degrees F and 85 degrees F respectively, meaning it is neither as cool or as hot as it could be. By visiting during these times, you get to enjoy the warm weather and the beginnings of summer before the crowds come, and because they are just off peak season, hotels and airlines offer great discounts on your trip.

Whether you are moving to Miami for the first time or just planning a visit, it is good to be mindful of the climate. On most days, you will be just fine with sunblock and a pair of sunglasses. Less often, you may find yourself donning a raincoat and galoshes. No matter what, Miami weather is pleasant all year.

Taking a Cruise During Hurricane Season

Taking a Cruise During Hurricane Season

If you’re planning a cruise from the Port of Miami from the months of June to November, you may want to prepare for unwelcome weather. Miami is known for powerful hurricanes and thunderstorms as well as cruises and parties. While taking a cruise during hurricane season is safe. It’s good to be cautious and prepared. Embarking on a cruise during hurricane season is safe, and you could get some good discounts; however, you should be prepared for the possibility of a storm changing your itinerary.

When is hurricane season?

Since Miami is in the northern hemisphere, its hurricane season runs from June until November. The most active period being from August to October. It is important to note that every season is different and hurricane’s occurring outside of these dates is not uncommon.

What happens if there’s a hurricane during my cruise?

It’s likely that there won’t be any storms when you go on your cruise, but if there does happen to be one, your schedule might change. Ships have many ways of telling if and when a storm is going to hit, and they always have a backup plan. Since cruise ships can travel faster than storms, you might only have to deal with a little rougher waters than normal as you keep ahead of the hurricane.

This change in itinerary could result in additional days at sea or docking at another port.

How safe is it?

Using modern technology, cruise ship operators  are aware in advance when a storm will arrive and its path of travel. Because of this, cruise ships can delay travel, change itineraries, or cancel a cruise entirely. While canceling a trip is very uncommon, it does happen occasionally. If your cruise gets cancelled, you’ll get a full refund.

Passenger safety is of the utmost importance therefore your cruise captain will ensure that passengers are not in harm’s way.

Will I be inconvenienced?

Most likely, no, but you should be prepared for any possibility. If a hurricane looks like it’s going to hit on the day of your embarkation or return, you could have trouble getting to your ship. If you’re flying in to take a cruise, you might have to leave a day or two early or come back a little late. Planes have a much harder time with bad weather than cruise ships do.

What should I keep in mind when cruising during hurricane season?

If you keep one thing in mind, it should be to stay flexible. You’ll still have a good time, but you might end up having your schedule changed a little bit. Give yourself an extra day or two on either side of your trip in case of bad weather, and don’t be dead set on doing certain excursions.

Cruising during hurricane season can be a great way to save some money on your vacation, and it’s safe, too. You might have to be a little flexible when planning your trip, but you’ll still be able to have a great time. Cruising is fun no matter what season it is.

5 Tips for setting up Miami Condo Insurance

Here are five tips for correctly setting up a condo unit owner’s policy. These tips can save you time and money when shopping for Miami condo insurance.

Determine exactly what must be insured

Determine from the association documents — usually the declaration — exactly what part of the structural interior of your unit you are required to insure. It’s most common for the owner to have to insure everything beyond the bare walls and bare floor. If the documents aren’t clear, assume you are responsible for everything structural inside your unit. (That would include carpeting, hardwood flooring, any floor and wall tile, bathroom fixtures, kitchen cabinets, countertops, built-in appliances, lighting fixtures, etc.)

Cost Estimates

Make a list of the structural items you must insure, and then estimate the labor and materials cost to replace each. Total up the values, and add a 20 percent cushion. That adjusted total is the amount of structural coverage to buy, often $100,000 or more.

Think outside the box

Broaden the kinds of loss that would be covered on both the building and contents from “perils” to “special perils,” so that the policy covers all losses (including, for example, water and mud damage from roof leaks) that aren’t specifically excluded.

Buy Loss Assessment Coverage

Buy at least $50,000 worth of “loss assessment coverage” to cover assessments made by the association for coverage shortfalls in the master policy. No matter how much you plan and double check paperwork, something will be forgotten and having loss assessment coverage will provide you with more protection.

Buy Deductible Assessment Coverage

Find out what the master policy deductible is (possibly $10,000), and buy deductible assessment coverage for that amount. Many associations make individual unit owners responsible for the entire master policy deductible if the loss is confined to their unit (for example, if a pipe breaks in a unit and floods that apartment).

Work with an agent with expertise in personal insurance who can help you design the condo insurance policy that best suits your unique situation and address other coverage needs, such as for sewer backup coverage, earthquake, flood, etc.

In a city like Miami, where natural disasters, thunderstorms, and proximity to water make insurance coverage necessary, make sure you have a partner by your side with your best interest in mind.

Contact All Nation Insurance today for a quote and to discuss your options.