Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Palm River-Clair Mel has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 73°F (23°C). Winters average 61°F in January while summers reach 82°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 53.6 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 17 feet.
Temperature
61°F Jan (16°C)82°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average
73.1°F
35% above US avg
January Average
61°F (16°C)
July Average
82°F (28°C)
Sunny Days
330 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
17 ft (5 m)
Area
11.8 sq mi (30.4 km²)
Population Density
2,340/sq mi
Coordinates
27.9245°N, 82.3794°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Hillsborough County County
Nearest Airport
Tampa International (TPA) 10 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall53.6"
41% above US avg
Wettest Month (Aug)7.99"
Driest Month (Apr)1.81"
Air Quality
AQI Median
41.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively High
Risk Score
98.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability
36.4 / 100
Community Resilience
33.2 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Very High
Hurricane
Very High
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Relatively Moderate
Flood
Relatively High
Hail
Relatively High
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave
Relatively High
Winter Weather
No Rating
Lightning
Very High
Drought
Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave
Very High
Landslide
Relatively Low
Coastal Flood
Relatively High
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Hurricane History
21 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
31 km
2024
Helene
Category 4
138 mph
207 km
2024
Debby
Category 1
81 mph
174 km
2023
Idalia
Category 4
132 mph
212 km
2022
Ian
Category 5
161 mph
105 km
2022
Nicole
Category 1
75 mph
208 km
2021
Elsa
Category 1
75 mph
168 km
2020
Eta
Category 1
75 mph
280 km
2017
Irma
Category 3
115 mph
35 km
2016
Matthew
Category 4
127 mph
231 km
2016
Hermine
Category 1
81 mph
264 km
2005
Wilma
Category 3
121 mph
235 km
2005
Katrina
Category 1
81 mph
293 km
2004
Charley
Category 4
150 mph
79 km
2004
Jeanne
Category 3
121 mph
38 km
2004
Frances
Category 2
109 mph
122 km
2000
Gordon
Category 1
81 mph
140 km
1999
Irene
Category 1
81 mph
225 km
1995
Erin
Category 1
86 mph
196 km
1992
Andrew
Category 5
167 mph
247 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
848 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 56 fatalities, 1,355 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Apr 4, 1966
EF4
41 km
135.8 mi
11
Apr 15, 1958
EF4
37 km
0.1 mi
0
Feb 22, 1998
EF3
95 km
28.0 mi
25
Feb 22, 1998
EF3
89 km
18.0 mi
3
Oct 3, 1992
EF3
33 km
2.6 mi
3
Mar 17, 1985
EF3
94 km
3.0 mi
2
Apr 9, 1983
EF3
89 km
10.0 mi
3
Jan 24, 1979
EF3
59 km
7.0 mi
0
May 4, 1978
EF3
32 km
1.5 mi
3
Oct 31, 1958
EF3
50 km
3.6 mi
0
Oct 11, 2023
EF2
45 km
5.0 mi
0
Dec 16, 2020
EF2
37 km
13.1 mi
0
Oct 18, 2019
EF2
33 km
11.5 mi
0
Sep 10, 2017
EF2
55 km
0.6 mi
0
Jan 17, 2016
EF2
46 km
9.2 mi
2
Jan 17, 2016
EF2
76 km
1.2 mi
0
Jun 24, 2012
EF2
69 km
6.2 mi
0
Dec 25, 2006
EF2
43 km
0.8 mi
0
Mar 9, 1998
EF2
87 km
10.4 mi
0
Dec 27, 1997
EF2
72 km
5.8 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
72 km
1999
UNNAMED
7,415
87 km
1995
UNNAMED
5,474
57 km
1999
UNNAMED
4,949
80 km
1994
UNNAMED
4,477
83 km
2004
UNNAMED
3,999
81 km
1992
UNNAMED
3,905
80 km
2003
UNNAMED
3,890
45 km
1992
UNNAMED
3,836
57 km
1989
UNNAMED
3,828
83 km
1985
UNNAMED
3,744
86 km
1995
UNNAMED
3,726
59 km
1985
UNNAMED
3,647
87 km
1990
UNNAMED
3,595
74 km
2012
UNNAMED
3,443
51 km
2006
UNNAMED
3,436
81 km
2017
RAINTREE BLVD
3,319
100 km
1990
UNNAMED
3,245
80 km
1990
UNNAMED
3,152
77 km
1992
UNNAMED
3,132
46 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
61°F (16°C)
2.6 in
Coldest
February
62°F (17°C)
3.2 in
March
67°F (20°C)
3.5 in
April
72°F (22°C)
1.8 in
Driest
May
77°F (25°C)
3.5 in
June
81°F (27°C)
6.7 in
July
82°F (28°C)
7.2 in
August
82°F (28°C)
8.0 in
Warmest, Wettest
September
81°F (27°C)
6.5 in
October
75°F (24°C)
2.4 in
November
69°F (20°C)
2.1 in
December
63°F (17°C)
2.4 in
Palm River-Clair Mel has a seasonal temperature swing of 21°F / from 61°F in January to 82°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 49.9 inches, with August being the wettest month (8.0") and April the driest (1.8").