Gulf Shores weather by month
Gulf Shores, Alabama is warm enough to swim from May through October (Gulf water 75°F or warmer). Peak summer (June–August) runs 88–91°F air with 86°F water; October is the highest-quality non-summer month with 76°F water, 80°F air, and the lowest rainfall of the year. Winters are mild — January is the coldest month with highs in the low 60s. All figures from NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 Climate Normals at Mobile Regional Airport (KMOB).
Gulf Shores climate table — all 12 months at a glance
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainfall | Water Temp | Sunny Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 61.5°F | 40.7°F | 5.66" | 58°F | 17 |
| February | 65.6°F | 44.4°F | 4.47" | 59°F | 17 |
| March | 71.8°F | 50°F | 5.44" | 63°F | 20 |
| April | 77.8°F | 56°F | 5.71" | 70°F | 23 |
| May | 84.9°F | 63.8°F | 5.39" | 77°F | 25 |
| June | 89.4°F | 70.8°F | 6.55" | 83°F | 23 |
| July | 90.9°F | 73.1°F | 7.69" | 86°F | 21 |
| August | 90.8°F | 72.9°F | 6.87" | 86°F | 22 |
| September | 87.5°F | 68.8°F | 5.3" | 83°F | 21 |
| October | 79.7°F | 58.2°F | 3.95" | 76°F | 23 |
| November | 70.2°F | 47.7°F | 4.6" | 67°F | 19 |
| December | 63.5°F | 43°F | 5.45" | 60°F | 17 |
What is the weather like in Gulf Shores in January?
| Average high | 61.5°F |
|---|---|
| Average low | 40.7°F |
| Average rainfall | 5.66 inches |
| Gulf water temperature | 58°F |
| Estimated sunny days | 17 days |
Coldest month of the year. Highs in the low 60s, lows around 40, water too cold for most swimmers, and the beach is quiet. Winter rates are generally among the lowest of the year.
What is the weather like in Gulf Shores in February?
| Average high | 65.6°F |
|---|---|
| Average low | 44.4°F |
| Average rainfall | 4.47 inches |
| Gulf water temperature | 59°F |
| Estimated sunny days | 17 days |
Mild winter month. Air starting to warm into the 60s, water still in the 50s — not swimming weather but boardwalk and beach-walk season. Snowbird stays peak in February.
What is the weather like in Gulf Shores in March?
| Average high | 71.8°F |
|---|---|
| Average low | 50°F |
| Average rainfall | 5.44 inches |
| Gulf water temperature | 63°F |
| Estimated sunny days | 20 days |
Spring break window. Air mid-70s, water still cool for most swimmers. Public beach gets crowded mid-March through early April; The Shore Thing's 25+ adult policy keeps our building quieter than the city.
What is the weather like in Gulf Shores in April?
| Average high | 77.8°F |
|---|---|
| Average low | 56°F |
| Average rainfall | 5.71 inches |
| Gulf water temperature | 70°F |
| Estimated sunny days | 23 days |
Strong spring month. Water reaches around 70°F (swimmable for many people), air is in the upper 70s, and crowds usually thin out after spring break ends mid-April.
What is the weather like in Gulf Shores in May?
| Average high | 84.9°F |
|---|---|
| Average low | 63.8°F |
| Average rainfall | 5.39 inches |
| Gulf water temperature | 77°F |
| Estimated sunny days | 25 days |
Pre-summer. Water 77°F (comfortably swimmable for many people), air mid-80s, and crowds bump up the last two weeks toward Memorial Day. Sunny-day counts are planning estimates.
What is the weather like in Gulf Shores in June?
| Average high | 89.4°F |
|---|---|
| Average low | 70.8°F |
| Average rainfall | 6.55 inches |
| Gulf water temperature | 83°F |
| Estimated sunny days | 23 days |
Peak season starts. Water 83°F, air in the upper 80s, beach is busy. First afternoon thunderstorms of the year start in mid-June — short, drenching, then back to sun.
What is the weather like in Gulf Shores in July?
| Average high | 90.9°F |
|---|---|
| Average low | 73.1°F |
| Average rainfall | 7.69 inches |
| Gulf water temperature | 86°F |
| Estimated sunny days | 21 days |
Hottest and rainiest month. Air 90°F+, water 86°F (genuinely warm), and the most rain of any month at 7.69 inches — mostly short afternoon thunderstorms. Beach is fullest.
What is the weather like in Gulf Shores in August?
| Average high | 90.8°F |
|---|---|
| Average low | 72.9°F |
| Average rainfall | 6.87 inches |
| Gulf water temperature | 86°F |
| Estimated sunny days | 22 days |
Late summer. Numbers nearly identical to July. Hurricane risk starts climbing in the second half. Schools in most SE states go back mid-to-late August, thinning crowds noticeably.
What is the weather like in Gulf Shores in September?
| Average high | 87.5°F |
|---|---|
| Average low | 68.8°F |
| Average rainfall | 5.3 inches |
| Gulf water temperature | 83°F |
| Estimated sunny days | 21 days |
Underrated month. Water still 83°F, air in the 80s, crowds thin once school starts. Statistical hurricane peak is September 10 — keep an eye on the tropics, but most years pass without a Gulf event.
What is the weather like in Gulf Shores in October?
| Average high | 79.7°F |
|---|---|
| Average low | 58.2°F |
| Average rainfall | 3.95 inches |
| Gulf water temperature | 76°F |
| Estimated sunny days | 23 days |
Best overall weather window in our planning model. Water 76°F (still swimmable for many people), air in the upper 70s, and the lowest rainfall of any month in this dataset. Shrimp Festival lands Oct 8–11 in 2026; fall break weeks are high-demand non-summer windows.
What is the weather like in Gulf Shores in November?
| Average high | 70.2°F |
|---|---|
| Average low | 47.7°F |
| Average rainfall | 4.6 inches |
| Gulf water temperature | 67°F |
| Estimated sunny days | 19 days |
Quiet shoulder month. Air in the 70s, water in the upper 60s — too cold for most swimmers but plenty for hardy ones. Empty beaches except Thanksgiving week. Owner pick for solitude trips.
What is the weather like in Gulf Shores in December?
| Average high | 63.5°F |
|---|---|
| Average low | 43°F |
| Average rainfall | 5.45 inches |
| Gulf water temperature | 60°F |
| Estimated sunny days | 17 days |
Winter begins. Highs in the low 60s, water dropping toward the high 50s. Not a swimming month for most guests. Holiday rates can spike around Christmas and New Year; check live pricing for exact dates.
Where does this data come from?
Temperature and rainfall figures are NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 Climate Normals from Mobile Regional Airport (USW00013894 / KMOB) — the closest first-order station to Gulf Shores with full normals coverage. Gulf water temperatures are planning averages based on nearby Gulf Coast observations. Sunny-day counts are owner planning estimates layered on top of the NOAA climate data, not official NOAA normals. Temperature and rainfall normals update on a 10-year cycle.
Source: https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/land-based-station/us-climate-normals
What does this mean for planning a trip?
Climate normals tell you what's typical — they don't predict your specific week. For trip planning, treat these numbers as the baseline and check the actual forecast 7–10 days out before locking packing. See when is the best time of year to visit Gulf Shores for our owner-perspective recommendations layered on top of this data, including crowd patterns, event timing, and shoulder-season opportunities.
Last updated: 2026-05-26