Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Highland Park 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 52.8 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 113 feet.
Temperature
62°F Jan (17°C)83°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average
73.9°F
37% above US avg
January Average
62°F (17°C)
July Average
83°F (28°C)
Sunny Days
330 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
113 ft (34 m)
Area
0.6 sq mi (1.4 km²)
Population Density
365/sq mi
Coordinates
27.8621°N, 81.5664°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Polk County County
Nearest Airport
Winter Haven Regional (GIF) 18 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall52.8"
39% above US avg
Snowfall0.0"
Wettest Month (Jul)7.68"
Driest Month (Apr)1.77"
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
22 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
37 km
2024
Helene
Category 4
138 mph
283 km
2024
Debby
Category 1
81 mph
253 km
2023
Idalia
Category 4
132 mph
283 km
2022
Ian
Category 5
161 mph
44 km
2022
Nicole
Category 1
75 mph
128 km
2021
Elsa
Category 1
75 mph
214 km
2019
Dorian
Category 3
109 mph
254 km
2017
Irma
Category 3
115 mph
52 km
2016
Matthew
Category 4
132 mph
161 km
2005
Wilma
Category 3
121 mph
190 km
2005
Ophelia
Category 1
75 mph
237 km
2005
Katrina
Category 1
81 mph
252 km
2004
Charley
Category 4
150 mph
27 km
2004
Jeanne
Category 3
121 mph
18 km
2004
Frances
Category 2
109 mph
46 km
2000
Gordon
Category 1
75 mph
220 km
1999
Floyd
Category 3
115 mph
296 km
1999
Irene
Category 1
81 mph
144 km
1995
Erin
Category 1
86 mph
116 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
683 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 51 fatalities, 721 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Feb 22, 1998
EF3
42 km
28.0 mi
25
Feb 22, 1998
EF3
96 km
16.0 mi
13
Feb 22, 1998
EF3
70 km
18.0 mi
3
Mar 19, 1981
EF3
72 km
8.0 mi
0
Oct 9, 2024
EF2
94 km
8.5 mi
0
Oct 9, 2024
EF2
66 km
2.9 mi
0
Oct 9, 2024
EF2
77 km
2.6 mi
0
Oct 18, 2019
EF2
49 km
11.5 mi
0
Sep 10, 2017
EF2
45 km
0.6 mi
0
Apr 6, 2017
EF2
79 km
4.1 mi
0
Jan 17, 2016
EF2
74 km
9.2 mi
2
Jun 24, 2012
EF2
15 km
6.2 mi
0
Dec 25, 2006
EF2
90 km
0.8 mi
0
Oct 24, 2005
EF2
100 km
0.3 mi
0
Mar 9, 1998
EF2
7 km
10.4 mi
0
Dec 27, 1997
EF2
25 km
5.8 mi
0
Dec 7, 1996
EF2
72 km
2.0 mi
1
Mar 12, 1993
EF2
93 km
30.0 mi
1
Apr 15, 1987
EF2
100 km
12.0 mi
0
Feb 8, 1986
EF2
26 km
2.0 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: STAGECOACH COMPLEX (14,079 acres, 2001).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2001
STAGECOACH COMPLEX
14,079
47 km
2021
KISSIMMEE BEND NORTH
13,782
56 km
2006
UNNAMED
12,050
41 km
1992
UNNAMED
11,488
55 km
2008
UNNAMED
11,294
85 km
1996
UNNAMED
9,427
59 km
2024
APQ RECREATION AREA RX 0506
8,901
56 km
1998
UNNAMED
8,794
32 km
2017
ECHO SPRINGS
8,640
44 km
1984
UNNAMED
7,765
57 km
2004
UNNAMED
7,670
32 km
2021
AREA 11
7,140
43 km
1989
UNNAMED
6,985
83 km
2011
UNNAMED
6,616
64 km
2008
SAN FILIPPO
6,376
96 km
1994
UNNAMED
6,243
54 km
1993
UNNAMED
6,236
83 km
1992
UNNAMED
6,228
47 km
1992
UNNAMED
5,946
99 km
1991
UNNAMED
5,871
56 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
62°F (17°C)
2.2 in
Coldest
February
63°F (17°C)
3.0 in
March
67°F (20°C)
3.2 in
April
71°F (22°C)
1.8 in
Driest
May
77°F (25°C)
4.1 in
June
81°F (27°C)
7.5 in
July
83°F (28°C)
7.7 in
Warmest, Wettest
August
82°F (28°C)
7.1 in
September
81°F (27°C)
6.0 in
October
75°F (24°C)
2.5 in
November
68°F (20°C)
2.1 in
December
63°F (17°C)
2.0 in
Highland Park has a seasonal temperature swing of 21°F / from 62°F in January to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 49.1 inches, with July being the wettest month (7.7") and April the driest (1.8").