Hi, Can anyone advise about the weather in early January in the Ocala area? I'm planning a trip there to visit relatives and would love to do a day-trip to the beach - not sure yet which one Clearwater Beach? Daytona Beach? Will it be warm enough to wade/swim in the ocean a little? Thanks, Greg

It could go either way...could be 78 or could be 48. Cold fronts come through in dec, jan, feb that feel frigid but there is no way of knowing if it will happen when you are here

I agree with suite7. It's a crapshoot basically. I go to that part of Florida every January (as well as other times of the year) and some years it's in the 40's and others it has been in the 80s.

If you like beaches, I'd say take a drive out there anyway. The seashore is refreshing and renewing any time of the year!

Greg,
No disagreement here about the unpredictable weather forecast for Central FL in January. The odds are that it will probably be too cold to enjoy the beach. Swimming - forget it. Sunning yourself on the beach - maybe. Walking along the beach - probably O.K. IMO, the nicest and possibly the closest beach to Ocala would be Crescent Beach - about 10 miles south of St. Augustine. Daytona? Ugh! New Smyrna Beach? Google "Shark Bite Capital of the World" and see what comes up.

Thanks for the replies. Why not Daytona Beach? Just curious. I'm also hoping to do a day-trip to Sea World, best to get there in the morning?

"Why not Daytona Beach?"

Daytona Beach is a very wide beach with hard, packed sand. Many cars park and drive on it. Having cars whizzing by you on the beach is not my idea of relaxation. To me, soft sand = comfortable sand. Crescent Beach has a few cars but is far quieter...and close to historic St. Augustine.

To each their own. I love Daytona Beach because it is so wide but I don't want to go there in January. The beaches on the Gulf will be warmer as the wind off the Atlantic is cold in winter. Sea World is not far and morning is a good time but we aware of the rush hour traffic around Orlando, I-4 is terrible at 8:00.

Agree with everyone else that January weather is a crapshoot. If you really want to experience a beach in its natural state check out Playalinda beach at Canaveral National seashore. It is very likely that you will have the beach to yourself and there is nothing but beach and nature(no buildings at all except for a few bathrooms).