Weather & Climate in Apalachicola, FL
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Apalachicola enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 69°F (21°C). Winters average 54°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 53.1 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 16 feet.
Temperature
54°F Jan (12°C)
82°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 69.1°F |
| 28% above US avg | |
| January Average | 54°F (12°C) |
| July Average | 82°F (28°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 16 ft (5 m) |
| Area | 2.6 sq mi (6.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,194/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 29.7274°N, 84.9940°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Franklin County County |
| Nearest Airport | Apalachicola Regional-Cleve Randolph Field (AAF) 2 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 46.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 75.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 47.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Hurricane History
16 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 5.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2024 | Helene | Category 4 | 138 mph | 126 km |
| 2024 | Debby | Category 1 | 81 mph | 127 km |
| 2023 | Idalia | Category 4 | 132 mph | 111 km |
| 2020 | Sally | Category 2 | 109 mph | 237 km |
| 2018 | Michael | Category 5 | 161 mph | 57 km |
| 2016 | Hermine | Category 1 | 81 mph | 60 km |
| 2005 | Dennis | Category 4 | 144 mph | 171 km |
| 2004 | Ivan | Category 4 | 121 mph | 282 km |
| 2000 | Gordon | Category 1 | 75 mph | 225 km |
| 1998 | Earl | Category 2 | 98 mph | 80 km |
| 1997 | Danny | Category 1 | 81 mph | 290 km |
| 1995 | Opal | Category 4 | 127 mph | 213 km |
| 1995 | Erin | Category 2 | 98 mph | 83 km |
| 1995 | Allison | Category 1 | 75 mph | 260 km |
| 1985 | Elena | Category 3 | 127 mph | 76 km |
| 1985 | Kate | Category 3 | 115 mph | 50 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
238 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 16 fatalities, 158 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jan 9, 2024 | EF3 | 86 km | 5.2 mi | 0 |
| Dec 10, 1967 | EF3 | 67 km | 7.1 mi | 1 |
| May 10, 2024 | EF2 | 93 km | 24.8 mi | 2 |
| May 10, 2024 | EF2 | 97 km | 24.2 mi | 0 |
| Jan 9, 2024 | EF2 | 74 km | 0.9 mi | 0 |
| Jan 9, 2024 | EF2 | 85 km | 12.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2023 | EF2 | 75 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 18, 2022 | EF2 | 85 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
| Nov 17, 2014 | EF2 | 76 km | 22.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 15, 2004 | EF2 | 86 km | 7.0 mi | 4 |
| Mar 15, 2001 | EF2 | 65 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 2, 1999 | EF2 | 93 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Jan 15, 1997 | EF2 | 98 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1989 | EF2 | 7 km | 3.0 mi | 3 |
| Oct 25, 1981 | EF2 | 81 km | 6.9 mi | 0 |
| Jan 12, 1975 | EF2 | 84 km | 168.5 mi | 1 |
| Oct 27, 1972 | EF2 | 7 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 27, 1972 | EF2 | 68 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1972 | EF2 | 94 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1972 | EF2 | 98 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: EAST FORK (26,251 acres, 2004).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2004 | EAST FORK | 26,251 | 64 km |
| 2021 | BU 360 361 362 363 | 24,747 | 65 km |
| 1998 | HOLIDAY | 24,666 | 65 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 24,574 | 65 km |
| 2022 | BERTHA SWAMP RD | 23,036 | 68 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 18,704 | 60 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 11,747 | 80 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 11,539 | 44 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 11,445 | 48 km |
| 2021 | BU 83/84/85 | 10,582 | 41 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 10,261 | 72 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 10,132 | 42 km |
| 2008 | GUM BAY | 9,965 | 48 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 9,352 | 75 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 9,252 | 69 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 8,688 | 41 km |
| 2011 | UNNAMED | 8,424 | 57 km |
| 2014 | BURN UNIT 057 | 8,381 | 46 km |
| 1999 | COW HOUSE | 8,301 | 79 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 8,237 | 46 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 54°F (12°C) | 4.1 in | Coldest |
| February | 57°F (14°C) | 4.2 in | |
| March | 62°F (17°C) | 4.3 in | |
| April | 67°F (20°C) | 2.9 in | |
| May | 75°F (24°C) | 1.9 in | Driest |
| June | 81°F (27°C) | 5.9 in | |
| July | 82°F (28°C) | 5.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 82°F (28°C) | 7.8 in | Wettest |
| September | 79°F (26°C) | 5.4 in | |
| October | 72°F (22°C) | 3.6 in | |
| November | 62°F (17°C) | 3.7 in | |
| December | 57°F (14°C) | 3.6 in |
Apalachicola has a seasonal temperature swing of 28°F / from 54°F in January to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 53.1 inches, with August being the wettest month (7.8") and May the driest (1.9").