Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
South Palm Beach has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 76°F (24°C). Winters average 66°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 61.8 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 15 feet.
Temperature
66°F Jan (19°C)83°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average
75.8°F
40% above US avg
January Average
66°F (19°C)
July Average
83°F (28°C)
Sunny Days
330 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
15 ft (5 m)
Area
0.3 sq mi (0.7 km²)
Population Density
15,155/sq mi
Coordinates
26.5904°N, 80.0380°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Palm Beach County County
Nearest Airport
Palm Beach International (PBI) 7 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall61.8"
63% above US avg
Wettest Month (Sep)8.31"
Driest Month (Dec)2.40"
Air Quality
AQI Median
41.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively High
Risk Score
99.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability
59.8 / 100
Community Resilience
24.5 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively High
Hurricane
Very High
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Relatively Moderate
Flood
Relatively High
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively High
Heat Wave
Relatively High
Winter Weather
No Rating
Lightning
Very High
Drought
Relatively High
Cold Wave
Relatively High
Landslide
Relatively Low
Coastal Flood
Relatively High
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1 earthquake (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M3.2.
Feb 22, 1992
27 km SW of Freeport, Bahamas
M3.2
117 km
10 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
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 3
121 mph
209 km
2022
Ian
Category 5
161 mph
162 km
2022
Nicole
Category 1
75 mph
82 km
2019
Dorian
Category 5
184 mph
157 km
2017
Irma
Category 4
132 mph
167 km
2016
Matthew
Category 4
138 mph
93 km
2012
Sandy
Category 1
75 mph
285 km
2011
Irene
Category 2
104 mph
278 km
2005
Wilma
Category 3
121 mph
48 km
2005
Katrina
Category 2
98 mph
56 km
2005
Ophelia
Category 1
75 mph
235 km
2004
Charley
Category 4
150 mph
208 km
2004
Jeanne
Category 3
121 mph
68 km
2004
Frances
Category 2
109 mph
68 km
1999
Floyd
Category 4
132 mph
222 km
1999
Dennis
Category 2
104 mph
296 km
1999
Irene
Category 1
81 mph
26 km
1998
Georges
Category 2
104 mph
292 km
1995
Erin
Category 1
86 mph
94 km
1992
Andrew
Category 5
167 mph
122 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
486 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 11 fatalities, 338 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Oct 9, 2024
EF3
95 km
21.2 mi
6
Oct 9, 2024
EF3
30 km
32.9 mi
0
Mar 1, 1980
EF3
49 km
7.8 mi
1
Jan 24, 1979
EF3
71 km
9.6 mi
0
Feb 23, 1965
EF3
56 km
5.7 mi
0
Jun 17, 1959
EF3
99 km
12.7 mi
0
Oct 19, 1958
EF3
68 km
20.2 mi
1
Apr 10, 1956
EF3
68 km
7.8 mi
0
Sep 18, 1954
EF3
97 km
0.1 mi
2
Oct 9, 2024
EF2
42 km
65.5 mi
0
Oct 9, 2024
EF2
57 km
5.7 mi
0
Apr 29, 2023
EF2
27 km
2.6 mi
0
Sep 27, 2022
EF2
25 km
7.0 mi
0
Oct 18, 2011
EF2
60 km
1.1 mi
0
Aug 18, 2008
EF2
19 km
2.7 mi
0
Mar 27, 2003
EF2
93 km
6.0 mi
1
Feb 2, 1998
EF2
91 km
21.0 mi
0
Aug 8, 1983
EF2
14 km
0.3 mi
0
Feb 2, 1983
EF2
76 km
2.0 mi
0
May 24, 1979
EF2
55 km
3.0 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: STATE FIRE (171,317 acres, 1999).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
1999
STATE FIRE
171,317
72 km
1989
UNNAMED
90,127
70 km
2011
PRAIRIE FIRE
67,959
95 km
1989
UNNAMED
56,910
83 km
1985
UNNAMED
54,638
97 km
1985
UNNAMED
54,003
69 km
1985
ALLEY
51,504
83 km
2014
ALLIGATOR
50,667
64 km
1989
UNNAMED
49,716
35 km
2007
MFC SOUTH FIRE
37,301
94 km
1985
UNNAMED
35,018
69 km
2007
UNNAMED
32,578
73 km
2006
BERG FIRE
28,992
83 km
2021
BOBCAT
28,849
73 km
2017
THREE MILE
26,683
82 km
2014
L 4 CUTOUT
23,068
82 km
2001
UNNAMED
22,780
90 km
1989
UNNAMED
19,103
74 km
1984
UNNAMED
17,967
47 km
1989
UNNAMED
16,000
57 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
66°F (19°C)
2.8 in
Coldest
February
67°F (19°C)
2.7 in
March
70°F (21°C)
3.5 in
April
74°F (23°C)
2.9 in
May
78°F (25°C)
6.0 in
June
81°F (27°C)
8.1 in
July
83°F (28°C)
6.3 in
Warmest
August
83°F (28°C)
6.3 in
September
82°F (28°C)
8.3 in
Wettest
October
78°F (26°C)
6.3 in
November
73°F (23°C)
4.3 in
December
69°F (20°C)
2.4 in
Driest
South Palm Beach has a seasonal temperature swing of 17°F / from 66°F in January to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 59.8 inches, with September being the wettest month (8.3") and December the driest (2.4").