Miami in August is low season, and the city makes no particular effort to hide it. The heat and humidity are at their annual peak, afternoon thunderstorms are virtually guaranteed, and the glamorous beach hotel rates from December to March have been replaced by significantly more accessible ones. If you want South Beach without the full South Beach price tag, August is one of the best windows.

You just have to be comfortable with heat that feels like wearing a wet blanket, every day.

Weather

August in Miami averages 32 to 33 degrees Celsius with humidity regularly above 75 to 80 percent. The combination produces a "feels like" temperature of 38 to 40 degrees by early afternoon. Atlantic Ocean temperatures are around 29 degrees, which means swimming is warm but not refreshing in the conventional sense.

The daily weather pattern is predictable: hot and partly cloudy in the morning, thunderstorms in the afternoon (typically 2 to 5 PM), clear and warm in the evening. Plan outdoor activities around the storm window.

Crowds and Prices

August is Miami's quiet season. South Beach is significantly less busy than January, and the celebrity-heavy crowd that defines the winter social calendar has largely dispersed to the Hamptons or Europe. Hotels, particularly on Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue, are at their best summer rates.

The Wynwood Walls and Design District are both enjoyable without the weekend crush of peak season. Museums, including Perez Art Museum Miami and the Bass, are comfortable.

What's On

Miami's major cultural events, Art Basel Miami Beach, the Calle Ocho Festival, and the Miami Open, all fall outside August. The summer calendar is quieter. What August has is the natural rhythm of a subtropical city: good seafood, outdoor rooftop bars, and late evenings that are actually pleasant once the storms have cleared.

One Thing to Watch

Hurricane season runs from June through November, with August and September the most active months. Miami has not taken a direct hurricane hit frequently, but tropical storms and heavy rain events are a real possibility. Monitor the National Hurricane Center forecasts before and during your visit, and know your hotel's hurricane protocol.