Weather & Climate in Cortez, FL

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Cortez has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 74°F (23°C). Winters average 62°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. The area gets 330 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 49.1 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 3 feet.

Temperature

62°F Jan (17°C) 83°F Jul (28°C)

Annual Average	74.1°F
	37% above US avg
January Average	62°F (17°C)
July Average	83°F (28°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3 ft (1 m)
Area	2.2 sq mi (5.8 km²)
Population Density	2,387/sq mi
Coordinates	27.4677°N, 82.6687°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Manatee County County
Nearest Airport	Sarasota/Bradenton International (SRQ) 9 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 49.1"

29% above US avg

Wettest Month (Aug) 8.86"

Driest Month (Apr) 1.54"

Air Quality

AQI Median	41.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively High
Risk Score	97.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	54.8 / 100
Community Resilience	22.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively High
Hurricane	Very High
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Moderate
Flood	Relatively High
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather	No Rating
Lightning	Very High
Drought	Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
Landslide	Very Low
Coastal Flood	Very High

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Hurricane History

23 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 5.

Year	Name	Category	Max Wind	Closest
2024	Milton	Category 4	155 mph	10 km
2024	Helene	Category 4	138 mph	201 km
2024	Debby	Category 1	81 mph	155 km
2023	Idalia	Category 4	132 mph	201 km
2022	Ian	Category 5	161 mph	97 km
2022	Nicole	Category 1	75 mph	234 km
2021	Elsa	Category 1	75 mph	110 km
2020	Eta	Category 1	75 mph	222 km
2017	Irma	Category 3	115 mph	76 km
2016	Matthew	Category 3	127 mph	278 km
2016	Hermine	Category 1	81 mph	269 km
2005	Dennis	Category 4	127 mph	277 km
2005	Wilma	Category 3	127 mph	199 km
2005	Katrina	Category 2	98 mph	267 km
2004	Charley	Category 4	150 mph	77 km
2004	Jeanne	Category 3	121 mph	89 km
2004	Frances	Category 2	104 mph	146 km
2000	Gordon	Category 1	81 mph	126 km
1999	Irene	Category 1	81 mph	250 km
1998	Georges	Category 2	104 mph	295 km

Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

716 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 26 fatalities, 1,036 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Apr 4, 1966	EF4	52 km	135.8 mi	11
Apr 15, 1958	EF4	23 km	0.1 mi	0
Oct 3, 1992	EF3	40 km	2.6 mi	3
Mar 17, 1985	EF3	47 km	3.0 mi	2
Jan 24, 1979	EF3	3 km	7.0 mi	0
May 4, 1978	EF3	50 km	1.5 mi	3
Oct 31, 1958	EF3	8 km	3.6 mi	0
Oct 11, 2023	EF2	62 km	5.0 mi	0
Dec 16, 2020	EF2	45 km	13.1 mi	0
Oct 18, 2019	EF2	84 km	11.5 mi	0
Jan 17, 2016	EF2	45 km	9.2 mi	2
Jan 17, 2016	EF2	27 km	1.2 mi	0
Dec 25, 2006	EF2	99 km	0.8 mi	0
Jun 21, 2006	EF2	77 km	3.0 mi	0
Dec 7, 1996	EF2	54 km	2.0 mi	1
Apr 4, 1993	EF2	79 km	2.0 mi	0
Oct 3, 1992	EF2	48 km	3.0 mi	1
Jul 12, 1992	EF2	62 km	4.5 mi	0
Feb 8, 1986	EF2	95 km	2.0 mi	0
Dec 12, 1983	EF2	84 km	1.0 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (7,415 acres, 1999).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
1999	UNNAMED	7,415	50 km
2006	UNNAMED	5,970	100 km
1991	UNNAMED	4,960	100 km
1999	UNNAMED	4,949	52 km
2004	UNNAMED	4,816	98 km
1994	UNNAMED	4,477	45 km
2004	UNNAMED	3,999	47 km
1992	UNNAMED	3,905	54 km
1992	UNNAMED	3,836	66 km
1989	UNNAMED	3,828	50 km
1985	UNNAMED	3,744	49 km
2006	UNNAMED	3,727	95 km
1985	UNNAMED	3,647	53 km
1990	UNNAMED	3,595	47 km
2004	UNNAMED	3,479	95 km
2012	UNNAMED	3,443	50 km
2006	UNNAMED	3,436	76 km
2017	RAINTREE BLVD	3,319	75 km
1990	UNNAMED	3,245	51 km
1990	UNNAMED	3,152	47 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	62°F (17°C)	2.3 in
February	62°F (17°C)	3.0 in	Coldest
March	67°F (19°C)	3.4 in
April	71°F (22°C)	1.5 in	Driest
May	77°F (25°C)	3.0 in
June	81°F (27°C)	6.6 in
July	83°F (28°C)	7.2 in	Warmest
August	82°F (28°C)	8.9 in	Wettest
September	81°F (27°C)	7.4 in
October	76°F (24°C)	2.6 in
November	69°F (21°C)	2.1 in
December	64°F (18°C)	2.2 in

Cortez has a seasonal temperature swing of 21°F / from 62°F in February to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 50.2 inches, with August being the wettest month (8.9") and April the driest (1.5").

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