Abstract: The Florida peninsula, with its close proximity to the equator surrounded by robust surface and deep water ocean currents, has a unique climate. Generally, its climate is mild with variations on numerous time scales, punctuated by periodic extreme weather events. In this chapter, we review the mechanisms by which some well-known natural variations impact the regional climate and modulate the occurrence of extreme weather over Florida and its neighboring oceans. In addition, we explore the role of land cover and land use changes on the regional climate over the same area. It is made apparent from the review that remote variations of climate have an equally important impact on the regional climate of Florida as the local changes to land cover and land use.