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Weather & Climate in Sanibel, FL
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sanibel has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 75°F (24°C). Winters average 65°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. 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 57.4 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 1 feet.
Temperature
65°F Jan (18°C)
83°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 75.4°F |
| 40% above US avg | |
| January Average | 65°F (18°C) |
| July Average | 83°F (28°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1 ft (0 m) |
| Area | 33.3 sq mi (86.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 396/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 26.4510°N, 82.1057°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Charlotte County County |
| Nearest Airport | Southwest Florida International (RSW) 19 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 95.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 77.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 12.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very High |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | No Rating |
| Lightning | Very High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Hurricane History
25 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 5.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2024 | Milton | Category 4 | 155 mph | 111 km |
| 2024 | Helene | Category 4 | 138 mph | 287 km |
| 2024 | Debby | Category 1 | 81 mph | 256 km |
| 2023 | Idalia | Category 4 | 132 mph | 263 km |
| 2022 | Ian | Category 5 | 161 mph | 29 km |
| 2022 | Nicole | Category 1 | 75 mph | 220 km |
| 2021 | Elsa | Category 1 | 75 mph | 110 km |
| 2020 | Eta | Category 1 | 75 mph | 193 km |
| 2017 | Irma | Category 4 | 132 mph | 49 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 4 | 127 mph | 276 km |
| 2005 | Rita | Category 4 | 127 mph | 268 km |
| 2005 | Katrina | Category 3 | 115 mph | 142 km |
| 2005 | Wilma | Category 3 | 127 mph | 73 km |
| 2005 | Dennis | Category 3 | 127 mph | 252 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 4 | 150 mph | 19 km |
| 2004 | Jeanne | Category 3 | 121 mph | 148 km |
| 2004 | Frances | Category 2 | 109 mph | 156 km |
| 2000 | Gordon | Category 1 | 81 mph | 227 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 1 | 81 mph | 153 km |
| 1998 | Georges | Category 2 | 104 mph | 208 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
375 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 9 fatalities, 152 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 17, 1985 | EF3 | 79 km | 3.0 mi | 2 |
| Oct 9, 2024 | EF2 | 26 km | 16.3 mi | 0 |
| Jan 16, 2022 | EF2 | 12 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 17, 2016 | EF2 | 99 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Jan 9, 2016 | EF2 | 15 km | 3.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 2006 | EF2 | 59 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 4, 1993 | EF2 | 58 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 1989 | EF2 | 32 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 4, 1988 | EF2 | 32 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 9, 1986 | EF2 | 21 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 12, 1983 | EF2 | 89 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 17, 1982 | EF2 | 67 km | 8.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 18, 1972 | EF2 | 3 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1972 | EF2 | 51 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1972 | EF2 | 20 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 3, 1971 | EF2 | 64 km | 7.3 mi | 0 |
| Dec 3, 1971 | EF2 | 79 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| Dec 3, 1971 | EF2 | 84 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 3, 1971 | EF2 | 12 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Feb 3, 1970 | EF2 | 76 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: 116TH AVE SE (11) (29,269 acres, 2018).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2018 | 116TH AVE SE (11) | 29,269 | 72 km |
| 2001 | BEARISLAND | 24,213 | 95 km |
| 2009 | DEEP FIRE | 20,073 | 86 km |
| 2013 | HUCKABEE | 19,723 | 89 km |
| 2017 | IPP 17 TRT 2 AIRPLANE RXS | 19,112 | 98 km |
| 2007 | BALSA | 16,278 | 63 km |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 16,145 | 59 km |
| 1989 | WALK IN | 15,816 | 89 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 14,572 | 49 km |
| 2000 | 49DOF68TH | 14,362 | 68 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 12,935 | 55 km |
| 2024 | BICY TURNER RIVER RX FY24 | 12,896 | 99 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 12,527 | 49 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 11,531 | 92 km |
| 2016 | BIRDON | 10,986 | 99 km |
| 2009 | TURNER ROUND 2 | 10,938 | 99 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 10,302 | 74 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 9,397 | 48 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 9,045 | 51 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 8,800 | 56 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 65°F (18°C) | 2.2 in | |
| February | 64°F (18°C) | 2.1 in | Coldest |
| March | 69°F (20°C) | 2.9 in | |
| April | 72°F (22°C) | 1.6 in | Driest |
| May | 77°F (25°C) | 3.3 in | |
| June | 81°F (27°C) | 8.5 in | |
| July | 83°F (28°C) | 8.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 83°F (28°C) | 9.1 in | Wettest |
| September | 82°F (28°C) | 7.6 in | |
| October | 78°F (25°C) | 2.9 in | |
| November | 71°F (22°C) | 1.7 in | |
| December | 67°F (19°C) | 1.6 in |
Sanibel has a seasonal temperature swing of 19°F / from 64°F in February to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 51.3 inches, with August being the wettest month (9.1") and April the driest (1.6").