Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Destin enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 70°F (21°C). Winters average 54°F in January while summers reach 84°F in July. The area gets 306 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 55.4 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 14 feet.
Temperature
54°F Jan (12°C)84°F Jul (29°C)
Annual Average
69.8°F
29% above US avg
January Average
54°F (12°C)
July Average
84°F (29°C)
Sunny Days
306 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
14 ft (4 m)
Area
8.5 sq mi (21.9 km²)
Population Density
1,869/sq mi
Coordinates
30.4044°N, 86.4714°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Okaloosa County County
Nearest Airport
Northwest Florida Beaches International (ECP) 40 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall55.4"
46% above US avg
Wettest Month (Jul)7.80"
Driest Month (Oct)3.62"
Air Quality
AQI Median
41.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Moderate
Risk Score
92.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability
26.8 / 100
Community Resilience
41.6 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively High
Hurricane
Very High
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Relatively Low
Flood
Relatively Moderate
Hail
Very Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave
Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather
Relatively Low
Lightning
Very High
Ice Storm
Relatively Low
Drought
Very Low
Cold Wave
Relatively Moderate
Landslide
Very Low
Coastal Flood
Relatively Moderate
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
13 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M4.8.
Oct 24, 1997
15 km NNW of Flomaton, Alabama
M4.8
115 km
10 km
Oct 26, 1997
11 km NNW of Flomaton, Alabama
M3.7
111 km
10 km
Sep 30, 2003
10 km NNW of Atmore, Alabama
M3.3
128 km
5 km
May 4, 1997
9 km ESE of Atmore, Alabama
M3.1
111 km
5 km
Mar 11, 2019
4 km N of Flomaton, Alabama
M3.1
104 km
5 km
Apr 11, 2019
6 km NNW of Pollard, Alabama
M3.1
103 km
10 km
Oct 28, 1997
11 km NNW of Flomaton, Alabama
M3.0
111 km
10 km
Sep 25, 2003
14 km N of Atmore, Alabama
M2.9
130 km
0 km
Mar 7, 2019
2 km NW of Jay, Florida
M2.8
92 km
5 km
Mar 24, 2019
2 km ESE of Century, Florida
M2.7
96 km
5 km
Apr 12, 2019
13 km NW of Flomaton, Alabama
M2.6
114 km
5 km
Sep 5, 2000
1 km ENE of Monroeville, Alabama
M2.5
149 km
3 km
Apr 11, 2019
8 km NW of Pollard, Alabama
M2.5
105 km
8 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
17 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
270 km
2024
Debby
Category 1
81 mph
288 km
2023
Idalia
Category 4
132 mph
271 km
2020
Sally
Category 2
109 mph
99 km
2020
Zeta
Category 1
—
257 km
2018
Michael
Category 5
161 mph
104 km
2017
Nate
Category 1
86 mph
243 km
2016
Hermine
Category 1
81 mph
220 km
2005
Dennis
Category 4
138 mph
60 km
2004
Ivan
Category 4
132 mph
131 km
1998
Georges
Category 2
109 mph
225 km
1998
Earl
Category 2
98 mph
80 km
1997
Danny
Category 1
81 mph
137 km
1995
Opal
Category 4
127 mph
61 km
1995
Erin
Category 2
98 mph
55 km
1985
Elena
Category 3
127 mph
101 km
1985
Kate
Category 3
109 mph
100 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
510 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 29 fatalities, 672 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Jan 9, 2024
EF3
75 km
5.2 mi
0
Mar 31, 2022
EF3
96 km
12.1 mi
2
Feb 23, 2016
EF3
71 km
3.0 mi
0
Feb 7, 1971
EF3
67 km
1.0 mi
0
Dec 10, 1967
EF3
94 km
7.1 mi
1
Dec 10, 1967
EF3
34 km
0.1 mi
0
Oct 30, 1967
EF3
77 km
0.1 mi
0
Dec 25, 1964
EF3
10 km
12.8 mi
0
Mar 31, 1962
EF3
65 km
6.9 mi
17
Dec 10, 1961
EF3
97 km
0.2 mi
0
May 5, 1956
EF3
73 km
1.0 mi
0
May 10, 2024
EF2
85 km
24.0 mi
0
Jan 9, 2024
EF2
90 km
0.9 mi
0
Jan 9, 2024
EF2
82 km
12.9 mi
0
Jan 9, 2024
EF2
100 km
34.8 mi
1
Jun 15, 2023
EF2
77 km
8.6 mi
0
Jan 22, 2023
EF2
15 km
0.8 mi
0
Mar 18, 2022
EF2
77 km
1.6 mi
0
Jun 19, 2021
EF2
92 km
22.0 mi
0
Apr 10, 2021
EF2
56 km
0.5 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: UNNAMED (10,557 acres, 2006).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2006
UNNAMED
10,557
34 km
2006
UNNAMED
9,706
76 km
2013
UNNAMED
9,046
82 km
2008
UNNAMED
7,660
21 km
2010
UNNAMED
5,692
77 km
2007
UNNAMED
5,616
57 km
2013
LOW KEY
5,554
35 km
2013
UNNAMED
5,525
77 km
2012
UNNAMED
4,627
68 km
2009
UNNAMED
4,577
73 km
2007
UNNAMED
4,523
60 km
2011
UNNAMED
4,486
51 km
2008
UNNAMED
4,397
65 km
2010
UNNAMED
4,235
41 km
2012
UNNAMED
4,231
30 km
2008
UNNAMED
4,200
24 km
2009
UNNAMED
4,141
29 km
2010
UNNAMED
4,119
49 km
1998
UNNAMED
4,106
35 km
2011
UNNAMED
4,032
33 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
54°F (12°C)
5.2 in
February
53°F (12°C)
5.1 in
Coldest
March
60°F (15°C)
6.1 in
April
66°F (19°C)
3.7 in
May
73°F (23°C)
4.5 in
June
79°F (26°C)
6.5 in
July
84°F (29°C)
7.8 in
Warmest, Wettest
August
81°F (27°C)
7.1 in
September
78°F (26°C)
6.1 in
October
69°F (21°C)
3.6 in
Driest
November
60°F (16°C)
4.2 in
December
54°F (12°C)
4.2 in
Destin has a seasonal temperature swing of 30°F / from 53°F in February to 84°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 63.9 inches, with July being the wettest month (7.8") and October the driest (3.6").