Best Time of Year to Resurface a Pool in Florida
A free referral service connecting Pinellas homeowners with licensed pool contractors.
Short answer: no single month is best. In St. Petersburg, March through May average under 3 inches of rain a month and come before hurricane season starts on June 1. Here's the full picture.
St. Petersburg weather, month by month
NOAA's 1991 to 2020 climate normals for St. Petersburg. Highs are averages, rain is the monthly total in an average year.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average rain (inches) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 69.8 | 2.97 |
| February | 72.7 | 2.17 |
| March | 76.5 | 2.86 |
| April | 81.6 | 2.60 |
| May | 86.7 | 2.54 |
| June | 89.8 | 7.18 |
| July | 90.9 | 8.35 |
| August | 90.8 | 9.33 |
| September | 89.1 | 7.51 |
| October | 84.3 | 2.52 |
| November | 77.2 | 1.61 |
| December | 72.2 | 2.84 |
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, station St. Petersburg (USC00087886).
What each season means for a resurface
Spring (March to May)
Average highs climb from 76.5°F to 86.7°F, and rain stays under 3 inches a month.
Summer (June to September)
The wettest months, at about 7 to 9.5 inches each. Hurricane season starts June 1.
Fall (October and November)
Rain drops to 2.52 and 1.61 inches. Hurricane season runs to November 30. Groundwater tends to be highest at the end of the rainy season.
Winter (December to February)
Average highs of 69.8°F to 72.7°F. If you heat your pool, the heater stays off for the first 28 days.
Storms, rain and groundwater
Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30. The National Hurricane Center puts the peak on September 10, with most activity from mid-August to mid-October.
Resurfacing means draining the pool. A 1985 USGS study found Pinellas groundwater is usually highest in the fall, near the end of the rainy season. Groundwater pressure can crack an empty pool or lift its shell, says a trade article from the American Shotcrete Association.
The National Weather Service office for Tampa Bay puts the rainy season at May 25 to October 10 for most of West Central Florida, and May 15 to October 15 for Southwest Florida. It peaks from July through early September.
None of this rules out a summer or fall job. It means asking good questions before you book.
Questions to ask when you schedule
- What happens to the job if a storm is forecast?
- How will you check groundwater before draining?
- Who handles the 28-day start-up, and what do I need to do?
- If I heat the pool, when can I turn the heater back on?
The 28-day start-up
After the new finish goes on, start-up care runs 28 days, with daily water testing and frequent brushing. Pick a window where you can keep up with it.
See the full resurfacing timeline · Pool resurfacing in Pinellas
Questions about timing a resurface
Which months get the most rain in St. Petersburg?
June through September. NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals show 7.18 inches in June, 8.35 in July, 9.33 in August and 7.51 in September. Every other month averages under 3 inches.
Can I heat my pool right after resurfacing?
No. The National Plasterers Council says not to run a pool heater or chiller for the first 28 days after a new finish. If you heat your pool in winter, plan the job so those 28 days fit.
Pick your month, then get a quote
Tell us about your pool. Your request comes to us. We refer it to a Florida-licensed pool contractor.
Sources
- NOAA National Hurricane Center, Tropical Cyclone Climatology
- National Plasterers Council, Tips on Filling the Pool and Initial Start-Up
- NOAA NCEI, U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020, monthly (St. Petersburg, USC00087886)
- American Shotcrete Association, Dewatering in Swimming Pools (2025)
- USGS, The Surficial Aquifer in Pinellas County, Florida (1985)
- NWS Tampa Bay Area, Rainy Season