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Weather & Climate in Fort Walton Beach, FL
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Fort Walton Beach 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 | 8.3 sq mi (21.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,743/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 30.4249°N, 86.6218°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Okaloosa County County |
| Nearest Airport | Pensacola International (PNS) 34 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
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
15 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 | 103 km | 10 km |
| Oct 26, 1997 | 11 km NNW of Flomaton, Alabama | M3.7 | 99 km | 10 km |
| Feb 18, 2011 | 22 km SSE of Dauphin Island, Alabama | M3.5 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Sep 30, 2003 | 10 km NNW of Atmore, Alabama | M3.3 | 115 km | 5 km |
| May 4, 1997 | 9 km ESE of Atmore, Alabama | M3.1 | 98 km | 5 km |
| Mar 11, 2019 | 4 km N of Flomaton, Alabama | M3.1 | 92 km | 5 km |
| Apr 11, 2019 | 6 km NNW of Pollard, Alabama | M3.1 | 92 km | 10 km |
| Oct 28, 1997 | 11 km NNW of Flomaton, Alabama | M3.0 | 99 km | 10 km |
| Sep 25, 2003 | 14 km N of Atmore, Alabama | M2.9 | 118 km | 0 km |
| Mar 7, 2019 | 2 km NW of Jay, Florida | M2.8 | 80 km | 5 km |
| Mar 24, 2019 | 2 km ESE of Century, Florida | M2.7 | 84 km | 5 km |
| Nov 10, 2012 | 16 km S of Dauphin Island, Alabama | M2.6 | 146 km | 11 km |
| Apr 12, 2019 | 13 km NW of Flomaton, Alabama | M2.6 | 102 km | 5 km |
| Sep 5, 2000 | 1 km ENE of Monroeville, Alabama | M2.5 | 140 km | 3 km |
| Apr 11, 2019 | 8 km NW of Pollard, Alabama | M2.5 | 94 km | 8 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
20 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 | 285 km |
| 2023 | Idalia | Category 4 | 132 mph | 285 km |
| 2020 | Sally | Category 2 | 109 mph | 85 km |
| 2020 | Zeta | Category 1 | — | 243 km |
| 2018 | Michael | Category 5 | 161 mph | 118 km |
| 2017 | Nate | Category 1 | 86 mph | 228 km |
| 2016 | Hermine | Category 1 | 81 mph | 234 km |
| 2012 | Isaac | Category 1 | 81 mph | 293 km |
| 2009 | Ida | Category 1 | 86 mph | 294 km |
| 2005 | Katrina | Category 4 | 144 mph | 286 km |
| 2005 | Dennis | Category 4 | 138 mph | 46 km |
| 2004 | Ivan | Category 4 | 132 mph | 117 km |
| 1998 | Georges | Category 2 | 109 mph | 211 km |
| 1998 | Earl | Category 2 | 98 mph | 86 km |
| 1997 | Danny | Category 1 | 81 mph | 123 km |
| 1995 | Opal | Category 4 | 127 mph | 48 km |
| 1995 | Erin | Category 2 | 98 mph | 44 km |
| 1988 | Florence | Category 1 | 81 mph | 296 km |
| 1985 | Elena | Category 3 | 127 mph | 103 km |
| 1985 | Kate | Category 3 | 109 mph | 113 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
497 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 24 fatalities, 593 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jan 9, 2024 | EF3 | 89 km | 5.2 mi | 0 |
| Feb 23, 2016 | EF3 | 56 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 15, 2016 | EF3 | 88 km | 16.5 mi | 0 |
| Feb 7, 1971 | EF3 | 53 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 10, 1967 | EF3 | 45 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 30, 1967 | EF3 | 62 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Dec 25, 1964 | EF3 | 5 km | 12.8 mi | 0 |
| Mar 31, 1962 | EF3 | 51 km | 6.9 mi | 17 |
| Dec 10, 1961 | EF3 | 88 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1956 | EF3 | 58 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 2024 | EF2 | 74 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 9, 2024 | EF2 | 96 km | 12.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 2023 | EF2 | 62 km | 8.6 mi | 0 |
| Jan 22, 2023 | EF2 | 29 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Mar 18, 2022 | EF2 | 92 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 19, 2021 | EF2 | 82 km | 22.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 10, 2021 | EF2 | 71 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Feb 15, 2016 | EF2 | 97 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 2011 | EF2 | 90 km | 23.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 17, 2008 | EF2 | 77 km | 14.4 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 | 20 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 9,706 | 67 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 9,046 | 79 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 7,660 | 22 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 5,692 | 67 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 5,616 | 48 km |
| 2013 | LOW KEY | 5,554 | 21 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 5,525 | 71 km |
| 2012 | UNNAMED | 4,627 | 60 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 4,577 | 65 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 4,523 | 53 km |
| 2011 | UNNAMED | 4,486 | 40 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 4,397 | 58 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 4,235 | 48 km |
| 2012 | UNNAMED | 4,231 | 23 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 4,200 | 15 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 4,141 | 36 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 4,119 | 39 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 4,106 | 20 km |
| 2011 | UNNAMED | 4,032 | 38 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 54°F (12°C) | 5.1 in | |
| February | 54°F (12°C) | 5.0 in | Coldest |
| March | 60°F (16°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) | 6.9 in | |
| September | 78°F (26°C) | 6.0 in | |
| October | 69°F (21°C) | 3.7 in | Driest |
| November | 60°F (16°C) | 4.2 in | |
| December | 54°F (12°C) | 4.2 in |
Fort Walton Beach has a seasonal temperature swing of 30°F / from 54°F in February to 84°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 63.6 inches, with July being the wettest month (7.8") and October the driest (3.7").