Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Winter Haven has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 75°F (24°C). Winters average 62°F in January while summers reach 84°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 46.1 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 171 feet.
Temperature
62°F Jan (17°C)84°F Jul (29°C)
Annual Average
74.6°F
38% above US avg
January Average
62°F (17°C)
July Average
84°F (29°C)
Sunny Days
330 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
171 ft (52 m)
Area
39.9 sq mi (103.4 km²)
Population Density
1,590/sq mi
Coordinates
28.0458°N, 81.7327°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Osceola County County
Nearest Airport
Winter Haven Regional (GIF) 2 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall46.1"
21% above US avg
Wettest Month (Jul)7.28"
Driest Month (Apr)1.73"
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
43 km
2024
Helene
Category 4
138 mph
262 km
2024
Debby
Category 1
81 mph
233 km
2023
Idalia
Category 4
132 mph
259 km
2022
Ian
Category 5
161 mph
69 km
2022
Nicole
Category 1
75 mph
149 km
2021
Elsa
Category 1
75 mph
217 km
2019
Dorian
Category 3
115 mph
261 km
2017
Irma
Category 3
115 mph
49 km
2016
Matthew
Category 4
132 mph
169 km
2005
Wilma
Category 3
121 mph
215 km
2005
Ophelia
Category 1
75 mph
246 km
2005
Katrina
Category 1
81 mph
277 km
2004
Charley
Category 4
150 mph
14 km
2004
Jeanne
Category 3
121 mph
27 km
2004
Frances
Category 2
109 mph
72 km
2000
Gordon
Category 1
75 mph
203 km
1999
Irene
Category 1
75 mph
163 km
1995
Erin
Category 1
86 mph
137 km
1992
Andrew
Category 5
167 mph
263 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
814 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 63 fatalities, 887 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Apr 15, 1958
EF4
97 km
0.1 mi
0
Feb 2, 2007
EF3
98 km
16.2 mi
8
Feb 22, 1998
EF3
82 km
16.0 mi
13
Feb 22, 1998
EF3
48 km
18.0 mi
3
Feb 22, 1998
EF3
32 km
28.0 mi
25
Oct 3, 1992
EF3
98 km
2.6 mi
3
Mar 19, 1981
EF3
59 km
8.0 mi
0
May 4, 1978
EF3
96 km
1.5 mi
3
Oct 9, 2024
EF2
91 km
2.9 mi
0
Oct 18, 2019
EF2
32 km
11.5 mi
0
Sep 10, 2017
EF2
19 km
0.6 mi
0
Jan 17, 2016
EF2
74 km
9.2 mi
2
Jun 24, 2012
EF2
12 km
6.2 mi
0
Dec 25, 2006
EF2
66 km
0.8 mi
0
Mar 9, 1998
EF2
33 km
10.4 mi
0
Dec 27, 1997
EF2
7 km
5.8 mi
0
Dec 7, 1996
EF2
61 km
2.0 mi
1
Mar 12, 1993
EF2
71 km
30.0 mi
1
Apr 15, 1987
EF2
85 km
3.0 mi
1
Apr 15, 1987
EF2
74 km
12.0 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
23 km
2021
KISSIMMEE BEND NORTH
13,782
81 km
2006
UNNAMED
12,050
67 km
1992
UNNAMED
11,488
80 km
1996
UNNAMED
9,427
84 km
1993
UNNAMED
9,422
98 km
2024
APQ RECREATION AREA RX 0506
8,901
82 km
1998
UNNAMED
8,794
57 km
2017
ECHO SPRINGS
8,640
71 km
1984
UNNAMED
7,765
68 km
2004
UNNAMED
7,670
57 km
2021
AREA 11
7,140
69 km
2017
NORTH CANE
7,024
99 km
1989
UNNAMED
6,985
93 km
2011
UNNAMED
6,616
88 km
1994
UNNAMED
6,243
79 km
1993
UNNAMED
6,236
93 km
1992
UNNAMED
6,228
73 km
1991
UNNAMED
5,871
80 km
1994
UNNAMED
5,815
66 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
62°F (17°C)
2.3 in
Coldest
February
62°F (17°C)
3.0 in
March
67°F (19°C)
3.4 in
April
71°F (22°C)
1.7 in
Driest
May
77°F (25°C)
4.2 in
June
81°F (27°C)
7.1 in
July
84°F (29°C)
7.3 in
Warmest, Wettest
August
82°F (28°C)
7.2 in
September
81°F (27°C)
6.0 in
October
75°F (24°C)
2.5 in
November
68°F (20°C)
2.1 in
December
63°F (17°C)
2.1 in
Winter Haven has a seasonal temperature swing of 22°F / from 62°F in January to 84°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 49.0 inches, with July being the wettest month (7.3") and April the driest (1.7").