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Weather & Climate in Lake Wales, FL
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Lake Wales 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 133 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 | 133 ft (41 m) |
| Area | 20.3 sq mi (52.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 806/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 27.9207°N, 81.5995°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Polk County County |
| Nearest Airport | Winter Haven Regional (GIF) 14 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
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 | 36 km |
| 2024 | Helene | Category 4 | 138 mph | 278 km |
| 2024 | Debby | Category 1 | 81 mph | 249 km |
| 2023 | Idalia | Category 4 | 132 mph | 277 km |
| 2022 | Ian | Category 5 | 161 mph | 51 km |
| 2022 | Nicole | Category 1 | 75 mph | 133 km |
| 2021 | Elsa | Category 1 | 75 mph | 216 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 3 | 109 mph | 254 km |
| 2017 | Irma | Category 3 | 115 mph | 55 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 4 | 132 mph | 162 km |
| 2005 | Wilma | Category 3 | 121 mph | 197 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 75 mph | 238 km |
| 2005 | Katrina | Category 1 | 81 mph | 259 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 4 | 150 mph | 20 km |
| 2004 | Jeanne | Category 3 | 121 mph | 25 km |
| 2004 | Frances | Category 2 | 109 mph | 53 km |
| 2000 | Gordon | Category 1 | 75 mph | 216 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 3 | 115 mph | 297 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 1 | 81 mph | 148 km |
| 1995 | Erin | Category 1 | 86 mph | 121 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
694 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 50 fatalities, 699 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Feb 22, 1998 | EF3 | 63 km | 18.0 mi | 3 |
| Feb 22, 1998 | EF3 | 36 km | 28.0 mi | 25 |
| Feb 22, 1998 | EF3 | 90 km | 16.0 mi | 13 |
| Mar 19, 1981 | EF3 | 67 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 9, 2024 | EF2 | 84 km | 2.6 mi | 0 |
| Oct 9, 2024 | EF2 | 73 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 2019 | EF2 | 45 km | 11.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 10, 2017 | EF2 | 38 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 6, 2017 | EF2 | 85 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Jan 17, 2016 | EF2 | 74 km | 9.2 mi | 2 |
| Jun 24, 2012 | EF2 | 9 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| Dec 25, 2006 | EF2 | 84 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Mar 9, 1998 | EF2 | 14 km | 10.4 mi | 0 |
| Dec 27, 1997 | EF2 | 18 km | 5.8 mi | 0 |
| Dec 7, 1996 | EF2 | 70 km | 2.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 12, 1993 | EF2 | 86 km | 30.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 15, 1987 | EF2 | 98 km | 3.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 15, 1987 | EF2 | 92 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 8, 1986 | EF2 | 23 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 12, 1983 | EF2 | 82 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 | 39 km |
| 2021 | KISSIMMEE BEND NORTH | 13,782 | 62 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 12,050 | 48 km |
| 1992 | UNNAMED | 11,488 | 61 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 11,294 | 90 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 9,427 | 65 km |
| 1993 | UNNAMED | 9,422 | 98 km |
| 2024 | APQ RECREATION AREA RX 0506 | 8,901 | 63 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 8,794 | 38 km |
| 2017 | ECHO SPRINGS | 8,640 | 51 km |
| 1984 | UNNAMED | 7,765 | 57 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 7,670 | 38 km |
| 2021 | AREA 11 | 7,140 | 50 km |
| 2017 | NORTH CANE | 7,024 | 99 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 6,985 | 84 km |
| 2011 | UNNAMED | 6,616 | 70 km |
| 2008 | SAN FILIPPO | 6,376 | 99 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 6,243 | 61 km |
| 1993 | UNNAMED | 6,236 | 84 km |
| 1992 | UNNAMED | 6,228 | 54 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 |
Lake Wales 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").