Climate of Florida
The climate of the north and central parts of the
In October, the dry season sets in across much of Florida (starting early in the month in northern Florida and near the end of the month in deep southern Florida) and lasts until late April most years. Fronts from mid-latitude storms north of Florida occasionally pass through northern and central parts of the state which bring light and brief winter rainfall. Mid and late winter can become severely dry in Florida. In some years the dry season becomes quite severe and water restrictions are imposed to conserve water.[2] While most areas of Florida do not experience any type of frozen precipitation, northern Florida can see fleeting snow or sleet a few times each decade.
The USDA Hardiness Zones for the state range from Zone 8B (15°F to 20°F) in the extreme northwestern panhandle, to Zone 12A (50°F to 55°F) in the lower Florida Keys.
The
Pressure
The low pressure measured from an
Wind
Over the winter prevailing winds are out of the north across the panhandle south to near Orlando, but are variable in the rest of the state. The summer season sees generally east and southeast winds across the peninsula. During the summer months, the average wind pattern implies a surface ridge axis which normally lies across central Florida, with easterly winds from Tampa southward and southwest winds across northern Florida. The peak wind gust during the 1930 through 1997 period was 115 miles per hour at Miami International Airport during Hurricane Andrew.[5]
African dust outbreaks
In July, the trade winds south of the northward-moving
Winter
On average, Florida has the mildest winters in the continental United States. Average lows range from 65°F in
Five
Florida has experienced 12 major freezes. This includes four "impact" freezes, sufficiently severe to kill entire groves of citrus trees, resulting in a noticeable economic effect on citrus growers, prompting them to shift groves further southward. These impact freezes are indicated by asterisks in the following:
Despite being the mildest on average, the winter climate was a crucial contributing factor of the Challenger disaster on January 28, 1986, in which overnight temperatures at Titusville, adjacent to the Kennedy Space Center, had dropped as low as 24°F[16] and were still below freezing at 28.0°F to 28.9°F on launch day. The severe cold had caused the O-Rings on the right-side SRB to crack as they only had a redline tolerance of 39°F.
Summer
During the summer, average high temperatures range from near 95 °F (35 °C) in northern Florida to near 90 °F (32 °C) in the Keys. Maximum temperatures during the summer average in the higher 90s Fahrenheit statewide.[17] Heat indexes can easily reach 103°F–110°F. Relief from the heat during the summer comes in the form of afternoon and evening thunderstorm activity, late morning and afternoon sea breezes off the relatively cooler ocean, and during the passage of a tropical cyclone. The record high temperature for the state is 109 °F (43 °C) at Monticello in 1931.[18]
Fog
Like the remainder of the Southeastern United States, Florida has a winter maximum in dense fog conditions. Unlike the remainder of the region, the maximum in Florida contains roughly half of the annual occurrences per year, on average. Its summer minimum is less than the remainder of the Southeast. The annual number of heavy fog days (with visibility of .25 miles (0.40 km) or less) has ranged from 50 in Tallahassee, to 1 in Key West, the least foggy region in the state. The two types of fog that are most common in Florida are advection and radiational. Fog can be hazardous to early morning commuters. On January 9, 2008, when fog on Interstate 4 combined with smoke from a nearby fire, visibility was reduced to nearly zero. As a result, five individuals died in a 70-car pileup.[19][20]
Precipitation
Averages
Statewide, the highest rainfall amounts occur during the summer months. In northern Florida, there is a weak winter secondary maximum while statewide the driest months of the year are during the spring.
Extremes
The heaviest rainfall to occur in 24 hours was measured in Yankeetown during Hurricane Easy (1950), 38.70 inches (983 mm). This is also the highest known point storm total maximum related to any tropical cyclone which has impacted Florida,[21] and by itself would be the highest known rainfall total for any month from any location within Florida. This rainfall amount remained the national 24-hour rainfall record until Tropical Storm Claudette (1979).[22] Heavy rainfall events have fallen due to stalled fronts near the state as well, and occur during the March through May and October through November timeframe.
The wettest month recorded at a Florida climate station was during May 1891 when Gainesville, Florida received 30.90 inches (785 mm).[23] The wettest year on record for a Florida climate station was during 1879 when 127.24 inches (3,232 mm) fell at Pensacola, Florida.[24] The driest year for a climate station statewide was during 1974 when only 19.99 inches (508 mm) fell at Key West.[25]
One of the worst years for
A statewide drought began in November 2005, one month after Hurricane Wilma's passage through the state, and persisted until 2009.[28] The previous significant drought occurred in 2000, which was the state's driest year on record.[29]
Snowfall
Snowfall is rare in Florida. The earliest recorded occurrence of snow or sleet occurred in 1774 in the far northern portion of the state.[30] The latest occurrence of snow or sleet fell on January 16, 2022 as a winter storm brought snow flurries into Crestview and northern portions of the state.[31]
The state record for snowfall is 5 inches (13 cm), set in northern Florida during January 1800, though some debate exists about the accuracy.
Thunderstorms
Florida reports more thunderstorms than any other US state. Some places report in excess of 90 thunderstorm days per year, making Florida one of the most thundery regions outside of the tropics. Florida receives the highest density of lightning strikes within the United States. Several deaths per year are blamed on lightning, making lightning one of the deadliest weather-related phenomenon in the state. However, since 1992, the number of lightning deaths has been slowly dropping despite a rising population, suggesting that lightning awareness programs are effective. The most likely targets of lightning strikes are construction workers and others who work outside, though 12 percent of the cases occurred indoors to people using electronic devices. Severe thunderstorms can sometimes produce hail, very strong straight line winds and tornadoes. Very heavy rainfall from thunderstorms can result in flash flooding. Thunderstorms occur most often during the summer but can occur at any time of the year.[35]
Tornadoes
There are more tornadoes per square mile in Florida than any other state.[36][37] However, these tornadoes tend to be much weaker and short-lived than in other states like the Midwest or Deep South. Strong tornadoes do occasionally form in Florida, usually in conjunction with a cold frontal passage in the winter or spring. A total of 42 people died in February 1998 from the deadliest such tornado outbreak in Central Florida, which occurred during the nighttime hours.[38]
While tornadoes in the Midwest are more severe, a higher rate of deaths are experienced in Florida, and Brevard County, specifically, due to higher population density and quantity of manufactured homes.[39]
Tropical cyclones
The earliest in the year a tropical cyclone has struck the sunshine state was the
Tropical cyclones have affected Florida in every month of the year but March. Nearly one-third of the cyclones affected the state in September, and nearly three-fourths of the storms affected the state between August and October, which coincides with the peak of the hurricane season. Portions of the coastline have the lowest return period, or the frequency at which a certain intensity or category of hurricane can be expected within 86 miles (138 km) of a given location, in the country. Monroe County was struck by 26 hurricanes since 1926, which is the greatest total for any county in the United States.[42]
Effect of climate cycles
Long term forecasts are made based on these effects. However, they are easily overridden, in winter, by the Arctic oscillation and North Atlantic oscillations, which can only be predicted about two weeks in advance.[44] These can drop the temperature noticeably from seasonal norms.
Climates of selected Florida cities
The climate regime for much of the state is
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See also
- Climate change in Florida
- Climate
- Climatology
- List of wettest known tropical cyclones in Florida
- Climate of Miami
- Climate of the Tampa Bay Area
- Neotropical realm
- Tropical climate
- Tropic of Cancer
- Tropics
- Tropical sprue
References
- ^ Köppen Classification Map, clearly showing South Florida has a true tropical climate (the image will take a few seconds to load)
- ^ "Dry season and drought are not the same". UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County. May 21, 2020. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
- ^ a b National Weather Service Forecast Office Tallahassee, Florida. Tallahassee Weather Extremes. Retrieved on June 3, 2007. Archived October 14, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
- Retrieved on June 3, 2007.
- ^ National Climatic Data Center. Climatic Wind Data for the United States. Retrieved on June 2, 2007. Archived June 13, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Science Daily. African Dust Called A Major Factor Affecting Southeast U.S. Air Quality. Retrieved on June 10, 2007.
- ^ Science Daily. Microbes And The Dust They Ride In On Pose Potential Health Risks. Retrieved on June 10, 2007.
- ^ Usinfo.state.gov. Study Says African Dust Affects Climate in U.S., Caribbean. Archived June 20, 2007, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on June 10, 2007.
- U. S. Geological Survey. Coral Mortality and African Dust. Archived May 2, 2012, at the Wayback MachineRetrieved on June 10, 2007.
- ^ Southeast Regional Climate Center. Tallahassee WSO AP Averages from 1948-2005. Archived March 1, 2007, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on June 2, 2007.
- ^ Southeast Regional Climate Center. Key West WSO AP Averages from 1948-2005. Archived September 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on June 2, 2007.
- ^ a b South Florida Water Management District. EL NINO IN SOUTH FLORIDA. Retrieved on June 2, 2007. Archived September 16, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Interactive Map | USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map". Archived from the original on July 4, 2019. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
- ^ Kridler, Chris (March 5, 2011). "Freeze frazzled? Seek hardier plants". Florida Today. Melbourne, Florida. pp. 1D.
- ^ "Timeline of major Florida freezes". Florida Today. Melbourne, Florida. January 15, 2017. pp. 14A. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
- ^ "National Weather Service Climate". w2.weather.gov.
Select 'Titusville, FL'
- ^ a b Southeast Regional Climate Center. Historical Climate Summaries for Florida. Retrieved on June 2, 2007.
- ^ National Climatic Data Center. "State Climate Extremes Committee (SCsEC)". Retrieved February 14, 2015.
- ^ Gloria Forthun, M. B. Johnson, W. G. Schmitz, and J. Blume.Trends in Fog Frequency and Duration in the Southeast United States. Retrieved on June 7, 2007.
- ^ Michael Mogil and Kristen L. Seaman. Florida's Climate and Weather. Retrieved on 2012-16-03.
- ^ a b David Roth. Tropical Cyclone Point Maxima. Retrieved on June 2, 2007.
- ^ David Roth. Hurricane Easy (1950) Rainfall Graphic. Retrieved on June 2, 2007.
- ^ Florida Climate Center. Gainesville Precipitation Data. Retrieved on June 2, 2007.
- ^ Florida Climate Center. Pensacola Precipitation Data. Retrieved on June 2, 2007.
- ^ Florida Climate Center. Key West Precipitation Data. Retrieved on June 2, 2007.
- ^ a b Waymer, Jim (March 11, 2010). "Casualties of cold enhance fire fear". Melbourne, Florida: Florida Today. pp. 3A. Archived from the original on March 14, 2010.
- ^ Knapp, Andrew (February 28, 2011). "Wildfire alerts get stricted". Florida Today. Melbourne, Florida. pp. 1A.
- ^ Travis Reed.Drought Saps Fla. Growers, Golf Courses Retrieved on June 2, 2007.
- NOAA. SEVERE DROUGHT CONDITIONS/FIRE DANGER LIKELY TO PERSIST THROUGHOUT CENTRAL FLORIDA. Archived September 29, 2006, at the Wayback MachineRetrieved on June 2, 2007.
- ^ T. Frederick Davis (1908). "Climatology of Jacksonville, Fla. and Vicinity" (PDF). U.S. Weather Bureau. Retrieved March 9, 2008.
- ^ reports, Staff and wire. "How cold is it? Snow is falling in Florida". sun-sentinel.com.
- ^ George Winterling (December 4, 2003). Snow on the First Coast. Archived June 12, 2007, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2007-01-22.
- ^ Local6.com. Snow Falls In Central Florida. Archived September 30, 2007, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on November 26, 2006.
- ^ National Weather Service Forecast Office Tallahassee, Florida. Florida's Top 10 Weather Events of the 20th Century. Retrieved on June 3, 2007. Archived October 14, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Charles H. Paxton, J. Colson and N. Carlisle (2008). "P2.13 Florida lightning deaths and injuries 2004-2007". American Meteorological Society. Retrieved September 5, 2009.
- ^ "Top Ten Tornado Lists", tornadoproject.com, archived from the original on February 4, 2012
- ^ Average Annual Number of Tornadoes, 1991-2010. Downloaded Sunday, 4 August 2013 18:25:05 EDT. Last Updated Monday, 20 May 2013 10:45:01 EDT. From National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- ^ United States Department of Commerce (June 1998). "Service Assessment: Central Florida Tornado Outbreak February 22–23, 1998" (PDF). National Weather Service. Retrieved September 5, 2009.
- ^ "Study: Florida #1 In Tornadoes and Deaths". Brevard Times. Cocoa Beach, Florida. June 16, 2014. Archived from the original on March 10, 2016.
- ^ National Hurricane Center. Atlantic Tracks File 1851-2006. Retrieved on June 2, 2007. [dead link]
- NOAA. Archived from the originalon September 14, 2009. Retrieved July 25, 2006.
- ^ National Hurricane Center (2006). "Tropical Cyclone Climatology". Archived from the original on December 13, 2007. Retrieved October 2, 2007.
- ^ a b Florida Disaster Management accessed March 9, 2008 Archived December 9, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Rice, Doyle (December 28, 2010). "Winter "wild card" in play". Melbourne, Florida: Florida Today. pp. 4A.
- ^ "united states annual sunshine map". HowStuffWorks, Inc. Archived from the original on April 29, 2011. Retrieved March 14, 2011.
- ^ "Pensacola Climate Normals". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
- ^ "Tallahassee Climate Normals". Florida Climate Center. Archived from the original on January 18, 2008. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
- ^ "Jacksonville Climate Normals". Florida Climate Center. Archived from the original on January 18, 2008. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
- ^ "NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
- ^ "Daytona Beach Climate". Florida State University.
- ^ "Tampa Climate Normals". Florida Climate Center. Archived from the original on June 19, 2011.
- ^ "Miami Climate Normals". Florida Climate Center. Archived from the original on January 18, 2008. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
- ^ "Key West Climate Normals". Florida Climate Center.
External links