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 214 individual local reports of hazardous weather events recorded across the state during the month of January (see Table 3 for a breakdown by event type). There were many reports of snow, as well as 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
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Summary:

• Monthly mean temperatures in February were above normal in the Florida Panhandle and below normal in the Peninsula.
• Monthly precipitation totals in February were mostly below normal in Florida.
• Drought conditions persisted and extreme drought (D3) expanded across Florida during the month.
• A La Niña advisory continued during the past month with a transition to ENSO-neutral expected in February-April 2026 (60% chance).

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

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

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

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

La Niña Advisory.

The tropical equatorial Pacific Ocean has remained in a La Niña state with below-average sea surface temperatures in the east-central region of the equatorial Pacific Ocean. Subsurface temperature anomalies increased with expanding above-average subsurface temperatures across the tropical Pacific Ocean. A transition to ENSO-neutral is favored in February-April 2026 (60% chance). ENSO-neutral is likely to continue through the Northern Hemisphere summer 2026 (56% chance in June-August 2026). The probability for an El Niño increases during late summer and beyond, with a 50-60% chance, though large uncertainty remains that far out.

Hazardous Weather Events in February.

According to the Local Storm Reports issued by the local National Weather Service offices serving Florida, there were 148 individual local reports of hazardous weather events recorded across the state during the month of February (see Table 3 for a breakdown by event type). Snow flurries were reported in the overnight hours of January 31st to February 1st in west-central and southwest Florida, including in Manatee, Sarasota, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Charlotte, and Lee Counties, but no accumulation occurred. Wildfires picked up during the month with continued dry conditions and gusty winds. During the first week of February, wildfires in Putnam County led to school and road closures. On the 2nd, bush fires broke out in Brevard County and a fire shut down a 7-mile stretch of I-95 in both directions due to low visibility but was quickly contained. On the 5th, a wildfire in Flagler County forced the evacuation of 25 residences and a building. Two wildfires broke out late during the month, one in western Broward County near I-75 and US 27 in the Everglades and another wildfire near the runway of the Homestead General Airport. The largest wildfire was the National Fire in the Big Cypress National Preserve in South Florida which had burned more than 35,000 acres, affected visibility in the region, and closed several roadways including a portion of I-75 known as Alligator Alley.

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

Daily Record Events in February.

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

Drought-Related Impacts.

By mid-month, drought continued to affect virtually all of Florida with 99% of the state in some level of drought (D1-D4). As of February 17, approximately 67% of the state was in extreme drought (D3), 20% was in severe drought (D2), and 11% was in moderate drought (D1); about 1% of the state was abnormally dry (D0), according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. By the end of the month, approximately 67% of the state was in extreme drought (D3), 20% was in severe drought (D2), and 12% was in moderate drought (D1); no areas were considered abnormally dry (D0) (Figure 2 below).

As of February 28, the Lake Okeechobee water level was 12.27 ft. above sea level (Feet-NGVD29), which is below average for this time of year. At the first of February, the water level was 12.72 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 February departures from normal data for select Florida locations (source: NWS).

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

Prepared by Florida Climate Center
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Summary:

• Monthly mean temperatures in March were above normal in Florida.
• Monthly precipitation totals in March were generally below normal, except in portions of South Florida which received above-average rainfall.
• Widespread drought conditions persisted with degradation in northern Florida; by the end of the month nearly all of Florida remained in drought (D1-D4) with about 80% of the state in either extreme (D3) or exceptional (D4) drought.
• A La Niña advisory continued during the past month but a transition to ENSO-neutral is expected soon and is favored to continue through May-July 2026 (55% chance), with increasing chances of El Niño during summer (62% chance June-August 2026).

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

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

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

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

La Niña Advisory.

The tropical equatorial Pacific Ocean remained in a La Niña state during the past month.  Below-average sea surface temperatures persisted in the east-central region of the equatorial Pacific Ocean but showed weakening, and equatorial subsurface temperatures continued to increase. A transition to ENSO-neutral is expected in the next month and is favored to continue through May-July 2026 (55% chance). The probability for an El Niño increases during summer, with a 62% chance June-August 2026, which is likely to persist through at least the end of the year.

Hazardous Weather Events in March.

According to the Local Storm Reports issued by the local National Weather Service offices serving Florida, there were 359 individual local reports of hazardous weather events recorded across the state during the month of March (see Table 3 for a breakdown by event type). On March 5, dense fog was reported in Baker County which led to traffic accidents and two injuries on a section of I-10. Rip currents led to one fatality due to drowning at Ormond Beach on the 14th and two injuries at Boynton Beach that same day. While no tornadoes were reported in Florida during the month, severe thunderstorms on the 15^th resulted in reports of ping pong to golf ball sized hail (1.50 - 1.75 inches) in Brevard County. Parts of the state continued to see a high risk of wildfire with dry and windy conditions. A significant 500-acre wildfire in the Mossy Pond area of Calhoun County began on the 21st and destroyed vehicles, 16 homes, and displaced approximately 40 people, which has since been contained. There have been an estimated 1,500 wildfires in Florida so far this year. 

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

Daily Record Events in March.

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

Drought-Related Impacts.

Drought conditions remained widespread and persistent, with some degradation during the month. By mid-month, drought continued to affect virtually all of Florida with 99.8% of the state experiencing some level of drought (D1-D4). As of March 17, approximately 2% of the state was in exceptional drought (D4), 71% of the state in extreme drought (D3), 18% in severe drought (D2), and 9% was in moderate drought (D1), with <1% of the state abnormally dry (D0), according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. By month’s end, approximately 12% of the state was in exceptional drought (D4), 67% was in extreme drought (D3), 16% was in severe drought (D2), and 4% was in moderate drought (D1); about 0.5% was considered abnormally dry (D0) (Figure 2 below).

As of March 31, the Lake Okeechobee water level was 12.02 ft. above sea level (Feet-NGVD29), which is below average for this time of year. At the first of March, the water level was 12.29 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 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).

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).