Weather & Climate in Ridgecrest, FL
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Ridgecrest 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. Annual precipitation totals 53.6 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 61 feet.
Temperature
62°F Jan (16°C)
83°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 73.9°F |
| 37% above US avg | |
| January Average | 62°F (16°C) |
| July Average | 83°F (28°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 61 ft (19 m) |
| Area | 0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 3,694/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 27.8894°N, 82.8063°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Pinellas County County |
| Nearest Airport | St Pete-Clearwater International (PIE) 7 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 98.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 59.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 10.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very High |
| Hurricane | Very High |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | No Rating |
| Lightning | Very High |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Very High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Very 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 | 58 km |
| 2024 | Helene | Category 4 | 138 mph | 172 km |
| 2024 | Debby | Category 1 | 81 mph | 135 km |
| 2023 | Idalia | Category 4 | 132 mph | 172 km |
| 2022 | Ian | Category 5 | 161 mph | 133 km |
| 2022 | Nicole | Category 1 | 75 mph | 249 km |
| 2021 | Elsa | Category 1 | 75 mph | 149 km |
| 2020 | Eta | Category 1 | 75 mph | 256 km |
| 2017 | Irma | Category 3 | 115 mph | 69 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 3 | 121 mph | 266 km |
| 2016 | Hermine | Category 1 | 81 mph | 231 km |
| 2005 | Dennis | Category 4 | 144 mph | 294 km |
| 2005 | Wilma | Category 3 | 121 mph | 247 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 4 | 150 mph | 121 km |
| 2004 | Jeanne | Category 3 | 121 mph | 80 km |
| 2004 | Frances | Category 2 | 104 mph | 161 km |
| 2000 | Gordon | Category 1 | 81 mph | 98 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 1 | 81 mph | 266 km |
| 1995 | Erin | Category 1 | 86 mph | 211 km |
| 1992 | Andrew | Category 5 | 167 mph | 234 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
654 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 27 fatalities, 1,032 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 4, 1966 | EF4 | 4 km | 135.8 mi | 11 |
| Apr 15, 1958 | EF4 | 31 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 3, 1992 | EF3 | 12 km | 2.6 mi | 3 |
| Mar 17, 1985 | EF3 | 96 km | 3.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 9, 1983 | EF3 | 98 km | 10.0 mi | 3 |
| Jan 24, 1979 | EF3 | 51 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 1978 | EF3 | 11 km | 1.5 mi | 3 |
| Oct 31, 1958 | EF3 | 44 km | 3.6 mi | 0 |
| Oct 11, 2023 | EF2 | 13 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 16, 2020 | EF2 | 6 km | 13.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 2019 | EF2 | 75 km | 11.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 10, 2017 | EF2 | 96 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Jan 17, 2016 | EF2 | 70 km | 9.2 mi | 2 |
| Jan 17, 2016 | EF2 | 76 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Dec 25, 2006 | EF2 | 66 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Dec 7, 1996 | EF2 | 50 km | 2.0 mi | 1 |
| Oct 3, 1992 | EF2 | 1 km | 3.0 mi | 1 |
| Jul 12, 1992 | EF2 | 15 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
| Feb 8, 1986 | EF2 | 96 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 11, 1983 | EF2 | 19 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (7,415 acres, 1999).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 7,415 | 96 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 5,474 | 89 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 4,949 | 94 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 4,477 | 91 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 3,999 | 92 km |
| 1992 | UNNAMED | 3,905 | 95 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 3,890 | 81 km |
| 1992 | UNNAMED | 3,836 | 88 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 3,828 | 95 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 3,744 | 95 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 3,726 | 94 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 3,647 | 98 km |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 3,595 | 89 km |
| 2012 | UNNAMED | 3,443 | 76 km |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 3,245 | 94 km |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 3,152 | 90 km |
| 1992 | UNNAMED | 3,132 | 67 km |
| 1992 | UNNAMED | 2,994 | 97 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 2,837 | 93 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 2,808 | 97 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 62°F (16°C) | 2.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 64°F (18°C) | 2.4 in | |
| March | 68°F (20°C) | 2.4 in | |
| April | 73°F (23°C) | 2.6 in | |
| May | 78°F (26°C) | 2.7 in | |
| June | 82°F (28°C) | 8.9 in | |
| July | 83°F (28°C) | 9.7 in | Wettest |
| August | 84°F (29°C) | 8.8 in | Warmest |
| September | 82°F (28°C) | 6.4 in | |
| October | 77°F (25°C) | 2.5 in | |
| November | 69°F (21°C) | 1.6 in | Driest |
| December | 64°F (18°C) | 2.9 in |
Ridgecrest has a seasonal temperature swing of 22°F / from 62°F in January to 84°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 53.6 inches, with July being the wettest month (9.7") and November the driest (1.6").