Summertime Weather Patterns on the Beach on the Pinellas County beaches not only differ from that of the rest of Tampa Bay all year, but during the summer months, the 11 individual beach towns can have very different weather from each other. Especially when it comes to rain. Very few residents are aware of this since they rarely leave their favorite beach during the year, but it is quite common for it to being raining on St. Pete Beach while Treasure Island enjoys sun. This can be the case on any given day or EVERY given day. In 2014, St. Pete Beach received rain almost every day of the summer while three miles up the road, Madeira Beach had less than a handful of days. In 2013, Indian Shores had rain literally every day from mid-June through mid-September, while the same town received absolutely no rain in 2012, but in that year Indian Rocks Beach, one mile north, had a downpour nearly every day. In short, the rain differs from town-to-town, day-to-day and year-to-year. Hour-to-hour it can differ as well, but typically every town gets evening thunderstorms a few days per week starting about an hour before sunset. These can last a few minutes or a few hours, but rarely last all day. One thing you can count on: humidity and heat. From mid-June through mid-September, it is humid from sun-up to sun-down and temperatures range from lows in the mid 70s in the morning to highs in the low-to-mid 90s in the afternoon. The hottest temps usually occur about 4 hours before sunset. The saving grace is the breeze from the sea. Usually the breeze only occurs directly on the beach and up to ¼ mile away from the beach. Nearly everyday has this breeze, and only a dozen or so days per year lack any breeze at all. The closer you are to the water, the stronger, and more prominent the breeze. For this reason, nearly every day is comfortable directly on the white sand, and if you think it’s hot where you are, just move closer to the water, and you’ll find it to be much more comfortable. On some bizarre days, you will find that literally ten feet closer to the water will produce a 10 degree difference in air temperature due to the breeze. Have fun and please share your beach weather stories with us. Photo by @carleespix on Instagram

So you’re heading out to the beach for the first time in a long time? Here’s a quick list of tips to make your day better on the beach. We’ll start with the essential personal items first, then work our way out. On your person you will want sunscreen, sunglasses, your bathing suit, flip flops, a waterproof container [e.g. ziplock bag] for your phone, wallet and other small items, large waterproof bag to stuff other items [e.g. wet towel], two 6’ beach towels, large plastic bag for trash, football/baseball/frisbee and small umbrella in case it rains. Nice to haves include a zero-gravity chair, headphones, a book/kindle, a cooler [jam packed with ice], Tervis tumblers, beer coozies, wine/cork remover, dog bowl [if you’re bringing your best buddy], dry pair of t-shirt/shorts. If you really want to set-up shop, then get a foldable 10 x 10 tent, beach-friendly cart to carry supplies, card table, radio, corn hole set, bocee ball, horse shoes. Of course, you can just be a slob and meet someone on the beach and mooch off of their supplies too! Let us know what must-haves you take with you to the beach.

It’s hard to beat the beauty of the setting sun over the Gulf of Mexico. If you’re like most, this gift from mother nature stays in your memory banks for a lifetime, and there’s nothing better than to get a perfect spot to watch the sun-go-down. Time of the day, of course, but also time of the year dictates when and where to watch the sunset. The sun is at the northernmost spot on the horizon during the summer solstice [June 20/21]; after the summer solstice, the sun travels south along the horizon until the winter solstice [December 21/22]. At John’s Pass, you can view the setting sun most prominently as the sun approaches the winter solstice. If you are around John’s Pass prior to fall/winter, then the best spot to watch the sunset is on the John’s Pass bridge or on John’s Pass beach [under the bridge]. If you are visiting during fall/winter, Bubba Gump Shrimp Company’s third floor patio offers an awesome view as does the top of the parking garage. Of course all along the boardwalk will give you a wonderful view of the sunset with a lot of great imagery in the foreground with all the boats and excitement in the Pass. We look forward to seeing your pictures on Instagram! Picture by @tampa_bay_drone_services

Visiting John’s Pass ranks as one of the most enjoyable ways to spend a day when visiting the beach. Like most beaches in Pinellas County, John’s Pass gets very busy during March and April for spring break, and again from Memorial Day in May through Labor Day in September. Visiting John’s Pass from September through February typically has light foot traffic and plentiful parking. John’s Pass Seafood Festival returns every fall around Halloween, and several events are conducted throughout the “off season” [the term given by locals to mean not as many tourists around]. The Pass is open 24 hours, but you will want to visit between 10am and 10pm, when most of the businesses are open. During the busy time of year, many shops stay open later, and conversely, they close earlier during the slower times. Each business is independently owned, so make sure to check the John’s Pass website to see when specific stores are open as they vary. See you at The Pass!

If you’re like most over the age of 21, then you probably think of a cold beer in your hand while enjoying the sun, sand and sea. Be careful. Technically, it is illegal on almost all Pinellas County beaches. In reality, I have literally never heard of someone getting cited for open container on the beach. If you’re up for bending the law, just use common sense: Do not bring glass containers of any kind Keep your drink concealed with a koozie Pick up all litter [even if it’s not yours]; messiness ruins a good time for everyone Don’t get too drunk; no one likes stupid drunk people Be polite and assist law enforcement if approached Smile and have fun! If you’re more of the conservative drinker, then go to the stretch of beach from Treasure Island, north of Sunset Beach, to Redington Beach, with Madeira Beach in between. This roughly equates to the fish mile marker 5 to 9. Open container is lawful on sand of TI [north of Sunset Beach], Madeira Beach and Redington Beach.