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Time Zone:
West Palm Beach is in the Eastern Time zone.
Weather:
Average Temperatures (In Fahrenheit):
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High
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Low
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January - March
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79
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56
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April - June
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88
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65
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July - September
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90
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74
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October - December
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84
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58
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The Atlantic Gulf Stream approaches the Palm Beach County coast closer than
anywhere in the nation, bringing warm waters from the south. Palm Beach County's
moderate climate allows for outdoor activities throughout the year and very
good flying weather. Ocean breezes temper summer temperatures.
Hurricanes:
The most likely time for hurricanes to occur is from August-October. Hurricane
alerts are issued within 36-48 hours of the arrival of a storm.
Business Hours:
Most banks are open from 10 to 4 Monday through Friday. Many are open for several
hours on Saturday. Most businesses in are open Monday through Saturday, from
9 or 10 AM to 6 or 9 PM. Many others, including shopping centres, are also open
Sunday from noon to 5 or later.
Most museums in Palm Beach and West Palm Beach are open Tuesday through Sunday.
A few are also open on Monday. Major attractions are open daily.
Hospital Emergency Rooms:
The following hospitals have 24-hour emergency rooms: Good Samaritan Hospital
(Flagler Dr. and Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., West Palm Beach, 655-5511; 650-6240
physician referral), JFK Medical Centre (5301 S. Congress Ave., Atlantis, 965-7300;
642-3628 physician referral), Columbia Medical Centre (2201 45th St., West Palm
Beach, 694-7124; 881-2661 physician referral), Palm Beach Regional Hospital
(2829 10th Ave. N, Lake Worth, 967-7800), and St. Mary's Hospital (901 45th
St., West Palm Beach, 844-6300; 881-2929 physician referral).
Taxes:
The sales tax in Florida is 6%.
Telephones:
The area code for The Palm Beaches is 561.
Directory and Operator Information:
For assistance from an operator, dial "0". To find out a telephone
number within the same area code you're calling from, dial 411; in a few places
it is necessary to dial 555-1212. If you want to charge a long-distance call
to the person you're calling, call collect by dialling "0" instead
of "1" before the 10-digit number, and an operator will come on the
line to assist you (the party you're calling, however, has the right to refuse
the call).
Tourist Offices:
Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce (45 Cocoanut Row, Palm Beach 33480, 655-3282).
Palm Beach County Convention and Visitors Bureau (1555 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd.,
Suite 204, West Palm Beach 33401, 471-3995).
The weather is optimum November-May, but facilities are more crowded and prices
somewhat higher. Summer brings heat and humidity, which sometimes limit the
time visitors wish to be outdoors away from the air conditioning. Afternoon
showers are warm, but frequent in the month of June. No matter when you visit,
bring insect repellent if you plan outdoor activities.
Smoking.
Each year smoking
laws become stricter. Under the Florida Clean Air Act, smoking is prohibited
in most public areas, in restaurants and bars, and increasingly, within 50 feet
of the entrance to public buildings. Hotels are also offering more non-smoking
rooms.
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