Galveston vs. Florida

[Xenon]

Where in Florida would be equal to Galveston? Galveston had Z10 winters since 1996 (excluding 2010).

Thanks,

Jonathan

[Zeeth]

Probably the equivalent to some parts of Manatee county. Texas has different weather than Fl though. There you'll get multiple years of 10b winters, and then a 9a winter rolls on by killing everything that flourished all those winters before. It's not like that as much here.

[happ]

Where in Florida would be equal to Galveston? Galveston had Z10 winters since 1996 (excluding 2010).

Thanks,

Jonathan

Jonathan, how cold did Galveston get this winter? Any readings comparable to Central Florida? Duration of cold?

[Jimbean]

I would like to see someone make a climate zone map for that big lone star state.

Edited March 6, 2010 by Jimbean

[Really full garden]

I think Galveston is probably most like Jacksonville FL.There are some historic homes in Galveston that date from the time of the major hurricane and flood in early 1900s.In those gardens you find very old Cycas revoluta and Washingtonia filifera / these are zone 8B plants.In 1989 Galveston did not fare much better than Houston during the record cold due to gale force north winds.There was ice in Galveston Bay.Many native water birds and fish perished during this week long cold.

[Xenon]

Houston got 20f

Galveston = 25f

my location = 17f

[PalmatierMeg]

Houston got 20f

Galveston = 25f

my location = 17f

Based on the above info I would surmise that Galveston lows mirror those of central FL.

[NBTX11]

I think Galveston is probably most like Jacksonville FL.There are some historic homes in Galveston that date from the time of the major hurricane and flood in early 1900s.In those gardens you find very old Cycas revoluta and Washingtonia filifera / these are zone 8B plants.In 1989 Galveston did not fare much better than Houston during the record cold due to gale force north winds.There was ice in Galveston Bay.Many native water birds and fish perished during this week long cold.

This may be partially true in the record cold year, but outside of that Galveston is much milder that Jacksonville for winter lows and absolute lows on average nearly every winter.

[palmsOrl]

Here's some data: The lowest temperature recorded in both Galveston and Jacksonville is 7 F. This is more than 10 degrees lower than the lowest temperature recorded in either Orlando or Tampa. As far as averages go, winter high temperatures are similar between the two cities (a hair lower in Galveston), but winter lows average about five degrees lower in Jacksonville than in Galveston.

-Michael

[happ]

The 2 cities are quite close latitudinally: Galveston: 29.29N & Jacksonville 30.33N

[NBTX11]

OK, here we go. Galveston's avg winter lows are identical to Tampa and Orlando (high temp is another story).

Galveston dropped to "only" 14 in the 80s, whereas Jax dropped to 7F. Believe Central FL dropped to upper teens. So Galveston was closer to Tampa than Jax in those freezes. That record low of 8F in galveston came in the once in a 200 yr freeze of 1899.

Galveston's Jan low is 5F higher than Jax, so it stands to reason the avg winter low is also about 5F higher (a half a zone), on average.

bottom line is Jax is cooler in winter (for lows) than Galveston. Again highs are another story, and the two are very comparable there. Galveston is very hard pressed to drop below freezing most winters.

[gsn]

Galveston is very hard pressed to drop below freezing most winters.

If that is the case Galveston is better off climate wise (absolute lows) than Tampa or most other areas in central Florida,as here in central Florida we average a FREEZE every other year, or bi-anually!

[NBTX11]

I'm too lazy to look up the figures to see if it is correct, but someone posted Galveston has had 13 straight zone 10 winters. Doubt Jacksonville has ever done that.

[Xenon]

Jacksonville is more like Houston.

Galveston lows are MUCH warmer.

-Jonathan

[Xenon]

Winter Averages

Jacksonville

Jan: 45F

Feb: 47F

Dec: 47F

Houston

Jan: 45F

Feb: 46F

Dec: 47F

Galveston

Jan: 50F

Feb: 52F

Dec: 52F

Tampa

Jan: 52F

Feb: 54F

Dec: 55F

Winter Lows:

Jacksonville

2010: 24F

2009: 27F

2008: 26F

2007: 30F

2006: 33F

Houston

2010: 20F

2009: 26F

2008: 27F

2007: 26F

2006: 30F

Galveston

2010: 27F

2009: 34F

2008: 30F

2007: 35F

2006: 35F

Tampa

2010: 19F

2009: 24F

2008: 30F

2007: 32F

2006: 30F

Record Lows

Jacksonville: 7F

Houston: 9F

Galveston: 8F

Tampa: 18F

- Jonathan

[happ]

Thanks for the data, Jonathan! It's interesting that Tampa has some cooler readings than Galveston.

[Zeeth]

So Tampa got colder than Houston, Galveston, AND Jacksonville this winter? That's really odd

[Xenon]

I figured that too..

-Jonathan

[NBTX11]

Tampa dropped to 25 on Jan 11th, not 19F, according to the NWS. Some outlying areas N. of town may have got down to 19.

[Xenon]

sounds more realistic...

-Jonathan

[Xenon]

Heres some readings from the warmest place in Texas, S.Padre Island.

Winter average:

Jan:52F

Feb:55F

Dec:54F

Record Low:17F

Winter Lows:

2010:30F

2009:30F

2008:37F

2007:35F

2006:34F

These temps were recorded in Port Isabel, the island itself is probably warmer.

-Jonathan

[Xenon]

Forgot to mention the averages are average lows..

-Jonathan