In addition to the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf Coast beaches, this area is within easy driving distance of the spectacular attractions surrounding Orlando. The middle of the state, where you will find Marion , Citrus , Sumter , and Lake Counties , is marked by long periods of moderate weather marked by a few, usually short, periods of cold during the winter months. Summer high temperatures are consistent at around 90 degrees Fahrenheit, rarely topping 95.
Summers tend to see more rain than the rest of the year.
Most showers occur as afternoon, localized downpours marked by spectacular lightning strikes. West Central Florida, where the counties of Hernando , Pasco , Hillsborough , and Pinellas are located, is known as the Treasure Coast. The 400 miles of coastline and the long white beaches attract thousands of people every day. Even in winter, the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico are warm and inviting. In this area, major cities such as Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tampa, and Sarasota prosper along with small villages and quiet seashore towns.