Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Fort Meade has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 73°F (23°C). Winters average 61°F in January while summers reach 82°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 50.9 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 145 feet.
Temperature
61°F Jan (16°C)82°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average
73.1°F
35% above US avg
January Average
61°F (16°C)
July Average
82°F (28°C)
Sunny Days
330 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
145 ft (44 m)
Area
5.3 sq mi (13.6 km²)
Population Density
632/sq mi
Coordinates
27.7659°N, 81.8055°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Polk County County
Nearest Airport
Lakeland Linder International (LAL) 20 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall50.9"
34% above US avg
Snowfall0.0"
Wettest Month (Jul)8.11"
Driest Month (Apr)1.89"
Air Quality
AQI Median
41.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively High
Risk Score
96.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability
49.8 / 100
Community Resilience
27.4 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively High
Hurricane
Very High
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Relatively Moderate
Flood
Relatively High
Hail
Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind
Very High
Heat Wave
Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather
No Rating
Lightning
Very High
Drought
Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave
Relatively Moderate
Landslide
Relatively Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Hurricane History
21 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980.
Strongest on record: Category 5.
Year
Name
Category
Max Wind
Closest
2024
Milton
Category 4
132 mph
29 km
2024
Helene
Category 4
138 mph
266 km
2024
Debby
Category 1
81 mph
233 km
2023
Idalia
Category 4
132 mph
269 km
2022
Ian
Category 5
161 mph
50 km
2022
Nicole
Category 1
75 mph
149 km
2021
Elsa
Category 1
75 mph
189 km
2019
Dorian
Category 3
109 mph
280 km
2017
Irma
Category 3
115 mph
31 km
2016
Matthew
Category 4
132 mph
187 km
2005
Wilma
Category 3
121 mph
192 km
2005
Ophelia
Category 1
75 mph
263 km
2005
Katrina
Category 1
86 mph
251 km
2004
Charley
Category 4
150 mph
42 km
2004
Jeanne
Category 3
121 mph
22 km
2004
Frances
Category 2
109 mph
62 km
2000
Gordon
Category 1
75 mph
198 km
1999
Irene
Category 1
81 mph
168 km
1995
Erin
Category 1
86 mph
139 km
1992
Andrew
Category 5
167 mph
232 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
895 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 56 fatalities, 1,309 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Apr 4, 1966
EF4
99 km
135.8 mi
11
Apr 15, 1958
EF4
81 km
0.1 mi
0
Feb 22, 1998
EF3
80 km
18.0 mi
3
Feb 22, 1998
EF3
61 km
28.0 mi
25
Oct 3, 1992
EF3
88 km
2.6 mi
3
Mar 19, 1981
EF3
90 km
8.0 mi
0
Jan 24, 1979
EF3
90 km
7.0 mi
0
May 4, 1978
EF3
90 km
1.5 mi
3
Oct 31, 1958
EF3
85 km
3.6 mi
0
Oct 9, 2024
EF2
92 km
2.6 mi
0
Oct 9, 2024
EF2
69 km
2.9 mi
0
Dec 16, 2020
EF2
94 km
13.1 mi
0
Oct 18, 2019
EF2
34 km
11.5 mi
0
Sep 10, 2017
EF2
44 km
0.6 mi
0
Apr 6, 2017
EF2
98 km
4.1 mi
0
Jan 17, 2016
EF2
92 km
1.2 mi
0
Jan 17, 2016
EF2
48 km
9.2 mi
2
Jun 24, 2012
EF2
24 km
6.2 mi
0
Dec 25, 2006
EF2
79 km
0.8 mi
0
Jun 21, 2006
EF2
93 km
3.0 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: UNNAMED (16,145 acres, 1986).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
1986
UNNAMED
16,145
98 km
2001
STAGECOACH COMPLEX
14,079
54 km
2021
KISSIMMEE BEND NORTH
13,782
71 km
1999
UNNAMED
12,935
97 km
2006
UNNAMED
12,050
56 km
1992
UNNAMED
11,488
71 km
1996
UNNAMED
9,427
75 km
2024
APQ RECREATION AREA RX 0506
8,901
73 km
1999
UNNAMED
8,800
96 km
1998
UNNAMED
8,794
51 km
2017
ECHO SPRINGS
8,640
59 km
2004
UNNAMED
8,516
99 km
2008
UNNAMED
8,268
97 km
1984
UNNAMED
7,765
82 km
2004
UNNAMED
7,670
51 km
1992
UNNAMED
7,529
96 km
1999
UNNAMED
7,415
86 km
2021
AREA 11
7,140
59 km
2011
UNNAMED
6,616
84 km
1994
UNNAMED
6,243
72 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
61°F (16°C)
2.3 in
Coldest
February
63°F (17°C)
3.0 in
March
67°F (19°C)
3.2 in
April
71°F (22°C)
1.9 in
Driest
May
77°F (25°C)
4.1 in
June
81°F (27°C)
7.6 in
July
82°F (28°C)
8.1 in
Warmest, Wettest
August
82°F (28°C)
7.0 in
September
80°F (27°C)
6.3 in
October
75°F (24°C)
2.4 in
November
68°F (20°C)
2.1 in
December
63°F (17°C)
2.1 in
Fort Meade has a seasonal temperature swing of 21°F / from 61°F in January to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 50.0 inches, with July being the wettest month (8.1") and April the driest (1.9").