Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Hillcrest Heights 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 173 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
173 ft (53 m)
Area
0.2 sq mi (0.4 km²)
Population Density
2,338/sq mi
Coordinates
27.8249°N, 81.5362°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Polk County County
Nearest Airport
Winter Haven Regional (GIF) 21 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall52.8"
39% above US avg
Snowfall0.0"
Wettest Month (Jul)7.83"
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
38 km
2024
Helene
Category 4
138 mph
288 km
2024
Debby
Category 1
81 mph
257 km
2023
Idalia
Category 4
132 mph
288 km
2022
Ian
Category 5
161 mph
39 km
2022
Nicole
Category 1
75 mph
124 km
2021
Elsa
Category 1
75 mph
214 km
2019
Dorian
Category 4
132 mph
253 km
2017
Irma
Category 3
115 mph
51 km
2016
Matthew
Category 4
132 mph
160 km
2005
Wilma
Category 3
121 mph
186 km
2005
Ophelia
Category 1
75 mph
236 km
2005
Katrina
Category 1
81 mph
247 km
2004
Charley
Category 4
150 mph
31 km
2004
Jeanne
Category 3
121 mph
15 km
2004
Frances
Category 2
109 mph
42 km
2000
Gordon
Category 1
75 mph
223 km
1999
Floyd
Category 3
127 mph
294 km
1999
Irene
Category 1
81 mph
141 km
1995
Erin
Category 1
86 mph
113 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
684 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 51 fatalities, 717 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Feb 22, 1998
EF3
99 km
16.0 mi
13
Feb 22, 1998
EF3
45 km
28.0 mi
25
Feb 22, 1998
EF3
75 km
18.0 mi
3
Mar 19, 1981
EF3
76 km
8.0 mi
0
Oct 9, 2024
EF2
61 km
2.9 mi
0
Oct 9, 2024
EF2
89 km
8.5 mi
0
Oct 9, 2024
EF2
72 km
2.6 mi
0
Oct 18, 2019
EF2
53 km
11.5 mi
0
Sep 10, 2017
EF2
50 km
0.6 mi
0
Apr 6, 2017
EF2
74 km
4.1 mi
0
Jan 17, 2016
EF2
74 km
9.2 mi
2
Jun 24, 2012
EF2
20 km
6.2 mi
0
Dec 25, 2006
EF2
95 km
0.8 mi
0
Oct 24, 2005
EF2
98 km
0.3 mi
0
Mar 9, 1998
EF2
4 km
10.4 mi
0
Dec 27, 1997
EF2
30 km
5.8 mi
0
Dec 7, 1996
EF2
75 km
2.0 mi
1
Mar 12, 1993
EF2
98 km
30.0 mi
1
Feb 8, 1986
EF2
30 km
2.0 mi
0
Dec 12, 1983
EF2
75 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: STAGECOACH COMPLEX (14,079 acres, 2001).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2001
STAGECOACH COMPLEX
14,079
52 km
2021
KISSIMMEE BEND NORTH
13,782
51 km
2006
UNNAMED
12,050
36 km
1992
UNNAMED
11,488
50 km
2008
UNNAMED
11,294
82 km
1996
UNNAMED
9,427
54 km
2024
APQ RECREATION AREA RX 0506
8,901
51 km
1998
UNNAMED
8,794
27 km
2017
ECHO SPRINGS
8,640
39 km
1984
UNNAMED
7,765
56 km
2004
UNNAMED
7,670
27 km
2021
AREA 11
7,140
38 km
1989
UNNAMED
6,985
82 km
2011
UNNAMED
6,616
60 km
2008
SAN FILIPPO
6,376
93 km
1994
UNNAMED
6,243
50 km
1993
UNNAMED
6,236
82 km
1992
UNNAMED
6,228
42 km
1992
UNNAMED
5,946
94 km
1991
UNNAMED
5,871
51 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
62°F (17°C)
2.9 in
March
67°F (19°C)
3.1 in
April
71°F (22°C)
1.8 in
Driest
May
76°F (25°C)
4.1 in
June
80°F (27°C)
7.7 in
July
83°F (28°C)
7.8 in
Warmest, Wettest
August
82°F (28°C)
7.0 in
September
80°F (27°C)
6.1 in
October
75°F (24°C)
2.4 in
November
68°F (20°C)
2.1 in
December
63°F (17°C)
1.9 in
Hillcrest Heights has a seasonal temperature swing of 21°F / from 62°F in January to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 49.0 inches, with July being the wettest month (7.8") and April the driest (1.8").