ERA5 almanac comparison — 8 years of real data
Fort Lauderdale vs Panama City Beach: weather in October
Panama City Beach is the clear winner for sun in October: 52% of days historically clear versus just 12% in Fort Lauderdale — a 40-point gap across 8 years of ERA5 data. Fort Lauderdale also sees measurably more rain than Panama City Beach this month (66% vs 23% of days). This isn't close.
What you are reading: 8-year historical averages, not a forecast.
Either destination can still surprise you this specific October. For this
week’s actual forecast, each destination links to its live page below.
Fort Lauderdale
FL
- Clear days, October
- 12%
- Sample size
- n=248 days
- Avg high
- 83°F
- Early October (1st–15th)
- 4%
- Late October (16th–end)
- 20%
- Rain frequency
- 66% of days
Panama City Beach
FL
- Clear days, October
- 52%
- Sample size
- n=248 days
- Avg high
- 80°F
- Early October (1st–15th)
- 59%
- Late October (16th–end)
- 46%
- Rain frequency
- 23% of days
Compare Fort Lauderdale vs Panama City Beach in another month
All percentages are historical averages from the ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, 8 full years (2018–2025). “Clear” means avg high ≥ 72 °F, precipitation < 1 mm, and a non-precipitation weather code. This is history, not a forecast. The live 7-day outlook for any destination is on its own page and may differ from the long-run average. Data from Open-Meteo.