Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Lake Helen has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 73°F (23°C). Winters average 60°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. The area gets 314 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 54.0 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 54 feet.
Temperature
60°F Jan (15°C)83°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average
72.6°F
34% above US avg
January Average
60°F (15°C)
July Average
83°F (28°C)
Sunny Days
314 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
54 ft (16 m)
Area
4.6 sq mi (11.8 km²)
Population Density
632/sq mi
Coordinates
28.9839°N, 81.2311°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Seminole County County
Nearest Airport
Orlando Sanford International (SFB) 14 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall54.0"
42% above US avg
Snowfall0.0"
Wettest Month (Aug)7.20"
Driest Month (Dec)2.09"
Air Quality
AQI Median
41.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Moderate
Risk Score
91.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability
15.3 / 100
Community Resilience
59.7 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively High
Hurricane
Relatively High
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Relatively Moderate
Flood
Relatively Moderate
Hail
Very Low
Strong Wind
Relatively High
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
No Rating
Lightning
Relatively High
Drought
Very Low
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
Landslide
Very Low
Coastal Flood
No Rating
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Hurricane History
24 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980.
Strongest on record: Category 4.
Year
Name
Category
Max Wind
Closest
2024
Milton
Category 4
132 mph
92 km
2024
Helene
Category 4
138 mph
260 km
2024
Debby
Category 1
81 mph
233 km
2023
Idalia
Category 4
132 mph
247 km
2022
Ian
Category 5
155 mph
111 km
2022
Nicole
Category 1
75 mph
179 km
2020
Isaias
Category 1
75 mph
287 km
2019
Dorian
Category 5
155 mph
168 km
2017
Irma
Category 1
92 mph
129 km
2016
Matthew
Category 4
132 mph
71 km
2014
Arthur
Category 1
81 mph
232 km
2005
Wilma
Category 3
121 mph
256 km
2005
Ophelia
Category 1
75 mph
193 km
2004
Charley
Category 4
150 mph
13 km
2004
Jeanne
Category 3
121 mph
133 km
2004
Frances
Category 2
109 mph
154 km
2000
Gordon
Category 1
75 mph
274 km
1999
Floyd
Category 3
127 mph
229 km
1999
Dennis
Category 2
104 mph
293 km
1999
Irene
Category 1
75 mph
137 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
532 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 70 fatalities, 763 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Feb 2, 2007
EF3
81 km
16.2 mi
8
Feb 2, 2007
EF3
35 km
26.0 mi
13
Feb 22, 1998
EF3
87 km
28.0 mi
25
Feb 22, 1998
EF3
74 km
18.0 mi
3
Feb 22, 1998
EF3
34 km
16.0 mi
13
Nov 1, 1997
EF3
30 km
3.0 mi
0
Mar 19, 1981
EF3
57 km
8.0 mi
0
Dec 31, 1975
EF3
92 km
2.0 mi
1
Jun 19, 1972
EF3
88 km
4.9 mi
0
Jun 19, 1972
EF3
89 km
3.8 mi
0
Mar 5, 1970
EF3
58 km
1.9 mi
0
Apr 15, 1958
EF3
99 km
3.6 mi
0
Oct 12, 2023
EF2
65 km
1.0 mi
0
Aug 18, 2020
EF2
12 km
4.6 mi
0
Sep 10, 2017
EF2
51 km
1.6 mi
0
Sep 10, 2017
EF2
82 km
1.2 mi
0
Dec 25, 2006
EF2
8 km
2.8 mi
0
Dec 25, 2006
EF2
28 km
2.7 mi
0
Feb 22, 1998
EF2
24 km
8.0 mi
1
Feb 22, 1998
EF2
33 km
5.0 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: UNNAMED (121,213 acres, 1998).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
1998
UNNAMED
121,213
24 km
1998
UNNAMED
45,954
40 km
1998
UNNAMED
24,956
69 km
1985
UNNAMED
19,129
26 km
2011
IRON HORSE
18,234
38 km
2001
STAGECOACH COMPLEX
14,079
96 km
2006
JUNIPER
11,998
52 km
1998
UNNAMED
9,972
20 km
1985
UNNAMED
9,807
59 km
1998
UNNAMED
9,705
26 km
1985
UNNAMED
9,554
49 km
1993
UNNAMED
9,422
54 km
1985
UNNAMED
8,382
21 km
2009
JUNIPER SPRINGS
8,363
53 km
1998
UNNAMED
7,345
86 km
2017
NORTH CANE
7,024
54 km
1989
UNNAMED
6,985
99 km
2007
UNNAMED
6,345
35 km
1993
UNNAMED
6,236
99 km
2011
ESPANOLA FIRE
5,468
64 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
60°F (15°C)
2.6 in
Coldest
February
60°F (16°C)
3.3 in
March
65°F (18°C)
3.6 in
April
69°F (21°C)
2.3 in
May
75°F (24°C)
3.5 in
June
80°F (26°C)
6.4 in
July
83°F (28°C)
7.1 in
Warmest
August
81°F (27°C)
7.2 in
Wettest
September
80°F (26°C)
6.7 in
October
73°F (23°C)
3.7 in
November
66°F (19°C)
2.3 in
December
60°F (16°C)
2.1 in
Driest
Lake Helen has a seasonal temperature swing of 23°F / from 60°F in January to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 50.7 inches, with August being the wettest month (7.2") and December the driest (2.1").