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Weather & Climate in Lakeland, FL
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Lakeland has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 73°F (23°C). Winters average 62°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 332 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 48.9 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 217 feet.
Temperature
62°F Jan (17°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 73.0°F |
| 35% above US avg | |
| January Average | 62°F (17°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 332 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 217 ft (66 m) |
| Area | 74.3 sq mi (192.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,758/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 28.0555°N, 81.9548°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Osceola County County |
| Nearest Airport | Lakeland Linder International (LAL) 6 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 92.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 29.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 33.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | No Rating |
| Lightning | Very High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very 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 | 32 km |
| 2024 | Helene | Category 4 | 138 mph | 240 km |
| 2024 | Debby | Category 1 | 81 mph | 212 km |
| 2023 | Idalia | Category 4 | 132 mph | 240 km |
| 2022 | Ian | Category 5 | 161 mph | 82 km |
| 2022 | Nicole | Category 1 | 75 mph | 170 km |
| 2021 | Elsa | Category 1 | 75 mph | 203 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 3 | 115 mph | 280 km |
| 2017 | Irma | Category 3 | 115 mph | 29 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 4 | 132 mph | 187 km |
| 2016 | Hermine | Category 1 | 81 mph | 290 km |
| 2005 | Wilma | Category 3 | 121 mph | 227 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 75 mph | 267 km |
| 2005 | Katrina | Category 1 | 81 mph | 286 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 4 | 150 mph | 35 km |
| 2004 | Jeanne | Category 3 | 121 mph | 8 km |
| 2004 | Frances | Category 2 | 109 mph | 90 km |
| 2000 | Gordon | Category 1 | 81 mph | 181 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 1 | 75 mph | 184 km |
| 1995 | Erin | Category 1 | 86 mph | 158 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
965 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 79 fatalities, 1,545 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 4, 1966 | EF4 | 84 km | 135.8 mi | 11 |
| Apr 15, 1958 | EF4 | 78 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Feb 2, 2007 | EF3 | 92 km | 16.2 mi | 8 |
| Feb 22, 1998 | EF3 | 93 km | 16.0 mi | 13 |
| Feb 22, 1998 | EF3 | 50 km | 28.0 mi | 25 |
| Feb 22, 1998 | EF3 | 53 km | 18.0 mi | 3 |
| Oct 3, 1992 | EF3 | 77 km | 2.6 mi | 3 |
| Apr 9, 1983 | EF3 | 90 km | 10.0 mi | 3 |
| Mar 19, 1981 | EF3 | 72 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 24, 1979 | EF3 | 96 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 1978 | EF3 | 75 km | 1.5 mi | 3 |
| Oct 31, 1958 | EF3 | 89 km | 3.6 mi | 0 |
| Oct 11, 2023 | EF2 | 86 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 16, 2020 | EF2 | 81 km | 13.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 2019 | EF2 | 12 km | 11.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 10, 2017 | EF2 | 13 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Jan 17, 2016 | EF2 | 63 km | 9.2 mi | 2 |
| Jun 24, 2012 | EF2 | 29 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| Dec 25, 2006 | EF2 | 46 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Mar 9, 1998 | EF2 | 51 km | 10.4 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 | 30 km |
| 2021 | KISSIMMEE BEND NORTH | 13,782 | 99 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 12,050 | 84 km |
| 1992 | UNNAMED | 11,488 | 98 km |
| 2024 | APQ RECREATION AREA RX 0506 | 8,901 | 100 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 8,794 | 76 km |
| 2017 | ECHO SPRINGS | 8,640 | 88 km |
| 1984 | UNNAMED | 7,765 | 90 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 7,670 | 75 km |
| 2021 | AREA 11 | 7,140 | 86 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 6,243 | 98 km |
| 1992 | UNNAMED | 6,228 | 91 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 5,871 | 99 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 5,815 | 85 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 5,474 | 35 km |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 5,442 | 92 km |
| 2017 | CR630 E | 5,096 | 70 km |
| 1992 | UNNAMED | 5,083 | 78 km |
| 2006 | CHARLIE FIRE | 5,065 | 91 km |
| 1992 | UNNAMED | 5,052 | 78 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 62°F (17°C) | 2.5 in | |
| February | 62°F (17°C) | 3.1 in | Coldest |
| March | 67°F (19°C) | 3.5 in | |
| April | 71°F (22°C) | 1.9 in | Driest |
| May | 77°F (25°C) | 4.0 in | |
| June | 81°F (27°C) | 7.1 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 7.5 in | Wettest |
| August | 82°F (28°C) | 7.4 in | Warmest |
| 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 | 62°F (17°C) | 2.3 in |
Lakeland has a seasonal temperature swing of 20°F / from 62°F in February to 82°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 49.8 inches, with July being the wettest month (7.5") and April the driest (1.9").