Prepared by Florida Climate Center
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Summary:

• Monthly mean temperatures in January averaged out to near normal across Florida.
• Monthly precipitation totals in January were below normal across Florida, with two rounds of wintry precipitation during the month.
• Drought conditions persisted or deteriorated in Florida during January and 94% of the state was in some level of drought (D1-D4) by month’s end.
• A La Niña advisory continued in the equatorial Pacific Ocean and a transition to ENSO-neutral is expected during January-March 2026 (75% chance) that will likely persist through at least spring 2026.

Table 1. January average temperatures and departures from normal ( ̊F) for select cities.

Figure 1. Monthly average temperature departures from normal (°F) in Florida for January 2026.

Table 2. January precipitation totals and departures from normal (inches) for selected cities.

Figure 2. A graphical depiction of the monthly rainfall departure from normal (inches) for January 2026 (courtesy of NOAA, NWS).

La Niña Advisory.

As of mid-January, the tropical equatorial Pacific Ocean remained in a La Niña state. Below-average sea surface temperatures continued across the east-central region of the equatorial Pacific Ocean. Subsurface temperature anomalies became slightly positive, and atmospheric anomalies across the tropical Pacific remained consistent with La Niña. A transition to ENSO-neutral is expected during January-March 2026 (75% chance). ENSO-neutral is likely to continue through at least the Northern Hemisphere late spring 2026. The probability for an El Niño increases (48%-51% chance) beyond the May-July 2026 timeframe.

Hazardous Weather Events in January.

According to the Local Storm Reports issued by the local National Weather Service offices serving Florida, there were 199 individual local reports of hazardous weather events recorded across the state during the month of December (see Table 3 for a breakdown by event type). There were many reports of snow and strong wind gusts that caused damages due to downed trees and power lines.

Table 3. Breakdown of storm reports submitted in Florida during the month of January (compiled from Iowa State University/Iowa Environmental Mesonet).

Daily Record Events in January.

Table 4. Summary of daily records broken or set in Florida in January 2026 (source: NCEI Daily Weather Records).

Drought-Related Impacts.

By mid-month, drought continued to affect nearly all of Florida with 92% of the state in some level of drought (D1-D4). Drought conditions have caused some harm to agricultural pasture conditions, elevated fire risk, and decreased streamflows and some reservoir levels. In mid-January, approximately 5% of the state was in extreme drought (D3), 50% was in severe drought (D2), and 37% was in moderate drought (D1); about 8% of the state was abnormally dry (D0), according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. By the end of the month, approximately 14% of the state was in extreme drought (D3), 60% was in severe drought (D2), 20% was in moderate drought (D1), and 6% of the state was abnormally dry (D0) (Figure 2 below).

As of January 31, the Lake Okeechobee water level was 12.77 ft. above sea level (Feet-NGVD29), which is below average for this time of year. At the first of January, the water level was 13.33 ft. above sea level.

Figure 3. A graphical depiction of the latest drought conditions in Florida according to the U.S. Drought Monitor (courtesy of the National Drought Mitigation Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln).

Agriculture-Related Impacts.

Appendix 1
Additional January departures from normal data for select Florida locations (source: NWS).

Appendix 2
Select daily record low minimum temperatures tied or broken during January (compiled from NOAA).

Prepared by Florida Climate Center
The Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Average temperatures in February were on average 3 ̊F warmer than historical averages across the state. Average temperatures were at or near normal across northern Florida and the Panhandle and much above normal across the Florida Peninsula. Average temperatures for the month ranged from +5.8 ̊F in West Palm Beach to +0.2 ̊F in Pensacola (see Table 1 and Appendix 1 for select cities). West Palm Beach experienced its third warmest February on record, and Fort Lauderdale had its fourth warmest February on record. Many daily high maximum and high minimum temperature records were set during the month (see Appendices 2 and 3).

Table 1.  February average temperatures and departures from normal ( ̊F) for selected cities.

Rainfall totals in February were variable across the state with some locations receiving above normal rainfall and other locations with near or below normal rainfall. Monthly departures from normal ranged from -1.3 inches in Tallahassee to +3.4 inches in Jacksonville (Table 2 and Appendix 1). Much of the northern Peninsula and parts of the Panhandle had above normal rainfall while southwestern Florida experienced below normal rainfall throughout the month (Figure 1). No monthly rainfall records were set during the month. Vero Beach had its third wettest February on record and Jacksonville had its fourth wettest February on record.

Table 2. February precipitation totals and departures from normal (inches) for selected cities.

Figure 1. A graphical depiction of the monthly rainfall departure from normal (inches) for February (courtesy of NOAA, NWS).

La Niña Conditions in the Pacific Persisted.

La Niña conditions continued during February, but forecasters estimate a shift to ENSO-neutral conditions this spring (~60% chance for April-June). ENSO-neutral conditions are then expected to continue at least through the Northern Hemisphere summer. Recent stratospheric warming and disruptions in the polar vortex, along with a negative phase in the Arctic Oscillation, have influenced weather patterns in the eastern U.S. this winter and overwhelmed typical weather patterns generally seen during La Niña. However, more typical La Niña conditions have returned with above-average temperatures and drier than average conditions across much of the southern tier of the U.S.

Hazardous Weather Events in February.

According to the Local Storm Reports issued by the local National Weather Service offices serving Florida, there were 249 individual local reports of hazardous weather events recorded across the state during the month of February (see Table 4 for a breakdown by event type).

Table 4. Breakdown of storm reports submitted in Florida during the month of February (compiled from Iowa State University/Iowa Environmental Mesonet).

Drought-Related Impacts.

Near the end of February 2021, abnormally dry conditions were found in parts of the Florida Peninsula and the extreme western panhandle region. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 33 percent of the state was in abnormally dry conditions (D0) at the end of the month. In early February, abnormally dry conditions emerged across much of the Florida Peninsula but by mid-February these conditions dissipated in some areas. Dry conditions are expected to continue, and the seasonal drought outlook indicates that drought development is likely through the spring across the Peninsula.

As of February 28, the Lake Okeechobee water level was at 15.33 ft. above sea level (Feet-NGVD29), which is above average for this time of the year. At the first of the month, the water level was 15.51 ft. above sea level.

Agriculture-Related Impacts.

For the month of February, the Crop Progress - State Stories, produced monthly December through March, for Florida indicates that pasture conditions declined at the beginning of February due to colder temperatures but improved throughout the month as temperatures rose. Cattle conditions remained mostly good during the month, while sugarcane had minimal damage from frost that was reported mid-month. Toward the end of the month, powdery mildew and worm pressure were reported in some crops. Many citrus fruits were harvested, and several vegetable crops came to market.

Appendix 1
Additional February departures from normal data for select Florida locations (Source: NWS).

Appendix 2
Select daily record high maximum temperatures tied or broken during February (compiled from NOAA).

Appendix 3
Select daily record high minimum temperatures tied or broken during February (compiled from NOAA).

Prepared by Florida Climate Center
The Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

March Key Points:

• Temperatures were above normal, while rainfall was below normal across Florida.
• Abnormally dry conditions developed over peninsular Florida, and moderate drought developed in parts of the southern Peninsula by the end of the month.
• La Niña Advisory continues but appears to be weakening.
• CPC seasonal forecast favors above normal temperatures and equal chances of rainfall for spring.
• Drought development continues to be a risk as temperatures warm during spring with seasonal reduction in rainfall, especially over peninsular Florida.

Average temperatures in March were above normal across the state. Average temperatures ranged from +1.7 ̊F to +4.8 ̊F above normal for the month (see Table 1 and Appendix 1 for select cities). Temperatures were especially warm during the middle and latter parts of the month, with summer-like temperatures observed in many locations. For instance, in Pensacola daily high temperatures averaged 8.8 ̊F above normal and daily low temperatures averaged 12.2 ̊F above normal from March 12-17. Jacksonville Beach observed its fifth warmest March on record, and Pensacola observed its seventh warmest March on record. Many daily high maximum and high minimum temperature records were set during the month (see Appendices 2 and 3).

Table 1.  March average temperatures and departures from normal ( ̊F) for selected cities.

Rainfall totals in March were below normal across the state. Most of the Panhandle and peninsular Florida had below normal rainfall, with the exception of a few isolated locations in the western Panhandle and north central Florida (Figure 1). Monthly departures from normal ranged from -1.13 inches in Miami to -4.11 inches in Tallahassee (Table 2 and Appendix 1). Homestead observed its driest March on record, with a recorded 0.07 inches of rainfall during the month. Lakeland had its second driest March on record, and Key West had its third driest March on record.

Table 2. March precipitation totals and departures from normal (inches) for selected cities.

Figure 1. A graphical depiction of the monthly rainfall departure from normal (inches) for March (courtesy of NOAA, NWS).

La Niña Conditions in the Pacific Continue but Weaken.

La Niña conditions continued during March but it has weakened recently, and forecasters estimate a shift to ENSO-neutral conditions this spring (~60% chance for April-June). ENSO-neutral conditions are then expected to continue at least through the Northern Hemisphere summer. La Niña conditions have returned with above-average temperatures and drier than average conditions across much of the southern tier of the U.S.

Hazardous Weather Events in March.

According to the Local Storm Reports issued by the local National Weather Service offices serving Florida, there were 127 individual local reports of hazardous weather events recorded across the state during the month of March (see Table 4 for a breakdown by event type). A wildfire was reported on March 16th in Big Cypress National Preserve, with portions of the preserve closed to the public and smoke possibly causing issues on HWY 41 and SR 29. Strong rip currents at Miramar Beach and Miami Beach resulted in multiple rescues and three fatalities during the month.

Table 4. Breakdown of storm reports submitted in Florida during the month of March (compiled from Iowa State University/Iowa Environmental Mesonet).

Drought-Related Impacts.

By the end of March 2021, abnormally dry conditions were widespread across the Florida Peninsula and parts of the southern Peninsula were in moderate drought. In early to mid-March, abnormally dry conditions existed across much of the Florida Peninsula and the western Panhandle regions. By the end of the month, pockets of moderate drought had formed in extreme southwestern Florida and southeast Florida. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 46 percent of the state was in abnormally dry conditions (D0) and 2 percent in moderate drought (D1) by the end of the month. Dry conditions are expected to continue, and the seasonal drought outlook indicates that drought development is likely through the spring across the Peninsula.

As of March 31, the Lake Okeechobee water level was at 14.44 ft. above sea level (Feet-NGVD29), which is right about average for this time of the year. At the first of the month, the water level was 15.32 ft. above sea level.

Agriculture-Related Impacts.

For the month of March, the Crop Progress - State Stories, produced monthly December through March, for Florida indicates that some pastures dried out by the end of the month due to warmer temperatures and a lack of rainfall. Cattle conditions remained mostly good during the month, and sugarcane harvesting continued. As temperatures rose during the month, Whiteflies and pest pressure were noted on vegetable crops in the southern part of the state. Many citrus fruits were harvested, including white and red grapefruit, Valencia oranges, and Honey, Tango and Royal tangerines. Field corn was planted and land was prepared for peanut and cotton crops in the Panhandle and northern parts of the state.

Appendix 1
Additional March departures from normal data for select Florida locations (Source: NWS).

Appendix 2
Select daily record high maximum temperatures tied or broken during March (compiled from NOAA).

Appendix 3
Select daily record high minimum temperatures tied or broken during March (compiled from NOAA).

Prepared by Florida Climate Center
The Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

April Key Points:

• Temperatures were above normal across the Florida Peninsula and near or below normal across much of the northern part of the state.
• Rainfall was above normal across the state, except in parts of southern Florida.
• La Niña Advisory continued but weakened with an 80% chance for a transition to ENSO-neutral conditions during the next month or so.
• Strong storms swept through the South on April 9-10, with heavy rain, quarter to nearly golf ball-sized hail, and multiple reports of tornadoes.
• Abnormally dry conditions persisted across the southern Peninsula, with moderate drought across Monroe and parts of Collier counties.

Average temperatures in April were near or below normal across much of the Panhandle and northern parts of the state and above normal across southern Florida. Average temperature departures ranged from -1.3 ̊F in Jacksonville to +2.4 ̊F in Key West for the month (see Table 1 and Appendix 1 for select cities). There were several daily high maximum and high minimum temperature records set during the month, mostly across the Florida Peninsula (see Appendices 2 and 3).

Table 1.  April average temperatures and departures from normal ( ̊F) for selected cities.

Rainfall totals in April were above normal across most of the state but below normal in parts of south Florida (Figure 1). Monthly departures from normal ranged from -0.94 inches in Key West to +5.97 inches in Pensacola (Table 2 and Appendix 1). Hastings observed its third wettest April on record; Orlando had its fourth wettest April; and Pensacola had its fifth wettest April on record. Many daily precipitation records were also set. Pensacola recorded the highest daily rainfall amount during the month, which occurred on the 10th with 4.03 inches, beating its previous record of 2.61 inches on that day in 1959.

Table 2. April precipitation totals and departures from normal (inches) for selected cities.

Figure 1. A graphical depiction of the monthly rainfall departure from normal (inches) for April (courtesy of NOAA, NWS).

La Niña Advisory; Shifting to ENSO-Neutral.

La Niña conditions continued during April with below average sea surface temperatures over the tropical east-central to eastern Pacific Ocean. However, forecasters estimate a shift to ENSO-neutral conditions is likely in the next month or so (an ~80% chance during May-July). ENSO-neutral conditions are then expected to continue at least through the Northern Hemisphere summer.

Hazardous Weather Events in April.

According to the Local Storm Reports issued by the local National Weather Service offices serving Florida, there were 449 individual local reports of hazardous weather events recorded across the state during the month of April (see Table 4 for a breakdown by event type). Severe weather swept through the southern U.S. on April 9-10, resulting in at least 3 fatalities, damaging buildings, and leaving thousands without power in Florida. NWS confirmed 4 tornadoes in the Panhandle during that weekend, along with high winds and quarter to just under golf ball-sized hail. A wildfire was reported in Homestead on the 30th with no immediate threats or endangerments.

Table 4. Breakdown of storm reports submitted in Florida during the month of April (compiled from Iowa State University/Iowa Environmental Mesonet).

Drought-Related Impacts.

By the end of April 2021, abnormally dry conditions persisted across southern Florida. Moderate drought (D1) developed in southern Florida across Monroe County and parts of Collier and Miami-Dade counties. From early to mid-April, abnormally dry conditions existed across much of the Florida Peninsula. Moderate drought had developed across Monroe and Collier counties and stretching into Broward and Palm Beach counties. By the end of the month, however, moderate drought conditions were alleviated in Broward and Palm Beach counties. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 14 percent of the state was experiencing abnormally dry conditions (D0) and 4 percent was experiencing moderate drought (D1) by the end of the month.

As of April 30, the Lake Okeechobee water level was at 14.03 ft. above sea level (Feet-NGVD29), which is near to slightly above the average for this time of the year. At the first of the month, the water level was 14.44 ft. above sea level.

Agriculture-Related Impacts.

During mid-April, topsoil moisture levels were adequate for 67% of the state, short in 25%, and very short in 3%, while 5% of the state was in surplus. By the end of April, topsoil moisture levels were adequate in 57% of the state, short in 36%, and very short in 2% of the state; 5% of the state was in surplus. Most of the state had either fair (39%) or good (36%) pasture and range conditions by the end of the month. For more information, consult the weekly Crop Progress and Conditions report published by the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Appendix 1
Additional April departures from normal data for select Florida locations (Source: NWS).

Appendix 2
Select daily record high maximum temperatures tied or broken during April (compiled from NOAA).

Appendix 3
Select daily record high minimum temperatures tied or broken during April (compiled from NOAA).