Florida is known for being hot and humid, especially during the summer months. It's a fact of life for residents and visitors alike. But, what is it that makes Florida so hot?

Geography is a major factor, being close to the equator and surrounded by bodies of warm water. The Sunshine State is also a subtropical climate, meaning that it has a warmer average temperature than the rest of the United States.

Winds are another reason why Florida is so hot, particularly the warm winds that move from the Atlantic Ocean. They combine with the Bermuda-Azores High, a semi-permanent area of high pressure in the Atlantic Ocean. The clockwise circulation around this high-pressure system pushes warm air toward Florida, amplifying the temperature and ensuring long, hot summers.

Humidity is another contributing factor, with high humidity extending from June through September. Being a peninsula, the state is surrounded by water on three sides, which contributes moisture to the atmosphere. When temperatures reach the 90s and above, humidity levels can be quite high and make it feel even hotter than it actually is.

Finally, the sun's rays have a big impact on the temperature in Florida. Because of its location near the equator, the sun's rays hit the Earth in a more direct beam in Florida than they do in the northern areas of the country. This, combined with the fact that Florida is a mostly flat landmass, adds up to very hot temperatures.