What should you know about Bradenton's weather?
- NWS office
- Tampa Bay Area (TBW)
- Climate
- Humid subtropical
- Time zone
- EST/EDT
- Elevation
- 5 ft
- Coordinates
- 27.50° N, 82.57° W
- Nearest radar
- KTBW · Tampa NEXRAD · 18 mi
- County
- Manatee County, FL
- Yearly rain
- 49.1 in
- Warmest month
- August · 83.4°F average
- Coldest month
- January · 62.4°F average
- Severe storm peak
- May to Jul
How much rain does Bradenton get each month?
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 72.5 | 74.9 | 78.2 | 82.5 | 87.5 | 90.0 | 91.1 | 91.5 | 90.2 | 86.3 | 80.0 | 75.2 |
| Low °F | 52.3 | 54.6 | 58.1 | 62.7 | 68.2 | 73.6 | 75.2 | 75.3 | 74.1 | 68.3 | 60.1 | 55.2 |
| Rain (in) | 2.79 | 1.92 | 2.85 | 2.46 | 2.58 | 7.05 | 7.39 | 9.11 | 6.00 | 2.76 | 1.81 | 2.33 |
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Rain (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 72.5 | 52.3 | 2.79 |
| Feb | 74.9 | 54.6 | 1.92 |
| Mar | 78.2 | 58.1 | 2.85 |
| Apr | 82.5 | 62.7 | 2.46 |
| May | 87.5 | 68.2 | 2.58 |
| Jun | 90.0 | 73.6 | 7.05 |
| Jul | 91.1 | 75.2 | 7.39 |
| Aug | 91.5 | 75.3 | 9.11 |
| Sep | 90.2 | 74.1 | 6.00 |
| Oct | 86.3 | 68.3 | 2.76 |
| Nov | 80.0 | 60.1 | 1.81 |
| Dec | 75.2 | 55.2 | 2.33 |
SARASOTA BRADENTON AP, FL US · 7 mi away · NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020
What did Hurricane Helene do to Bradenton Beach?
Helene's storm surge destroyed an estimated 90 to 95 percent of the structures on Bradenton Beach in September 2024, based on media reports and emergency manager estimates cited by the National Hurricane Center. Helene made landfall in the Florida Big Bend region, yet Anna Maria Island in Manatee County was still heavily damaged by surge. A USGS sensor on Longboat Key measured a storm tide of 6.68 feet above mean higher high water. At least 594 structures were destroyed in mainland Manatee County.
Why keep the Bradenton weather radar open when a hurricane comes ashore elsewhere?
Because its rain bands can still flood Manatee County, as Hurricane Debby showed in August 2024. Debby made landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida, yet Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport measured 11.73 inches of rain. The Manatee River at Rye Bridge crested at a record level, and over 200 high-water rescues were reported in Manatee County, including in Parrish. Officials estimated over $55 million in damage in the county, with more than 160 buildings suffering major damage.
How close did Hurricane Milton come to Bradenton?
Close: Milton's center made landfall on Siesta Key, Florida, as a Category 3 hurricane in October 2024. It brought hurricane conditions along the west coast from Clearwater Beach and Tampa southward across Sarasota to near Venice. The National Hurricane Center noted that a track shift of less than 30 nautical miles to the north would have driven a significant storm surge into Tampa Bay. A National Weather Service cooperative observer site 5 miles east-southeast of Bradenton measured 5.39 inches of rain.
Has a tornado ever killed anyone in Manatee County?
Yes. On January 17, 2016, two adults were killed and four others injured when their mobile home rolled over and was destroyed by a tornado in Manatee County. One fast-moving supercell produced at least two EF-2 tornadoes that day, one near Siesta Key and the other near Duette in northeast Manatee County. NWS Tampa Bay Area explains that dual-polarization radar can tell whether the objects it detects are rain and hail or debris such as dirt, wood and metal.
When should you check the Bradenton radar?
Hurricane season
June 1 to November 30Gulf rain bands reach the coast in quick squalls with calm gaps between them. People along the Braden River and near the Bradenton Riverwalk move cars and boats before the first band arrives.
Severe storm peak
May to JulyAbout 53% of the county's 1996 to 2025 severe reports fall from May to July. Afternoon storms often build inland near I-75 and drift west toward US-41 with frequent lightning, so outdoor crews and anglers try to wrap up by early afternoon.
What else do people ask about the Bradenton radar?
Which NWS office and radar cover Bradenton?
NWS Tampa Bay Area (TBW) issues forecasts and warnings for Bradenton. The nearest NEXRAD radar is KTBW, about 18 miles from the city center.
How often does the radar on this page update?
The radar loop on this page updates every 5 minutes.
Is this page an official warning service?
No. It shows radar and forecasts only. For warnings, follow NWS Tampa Bay Area and local emergency alerts.
Quick facts
- Radar: KTBW (Tampa NEXRAD), a new frame every 5 minutes
- Forecasts and warnings: NWS Tampa Bay Area (TBW)
- Severe storms peak from May to July (NOAA Storm Events, 1996 to 2025)
- Local time: EST/EDT
- Radar: KTBW, a new frame every 5 minutes
- Warnings: NWS Tampa Bay Area (TBW)
- Severe storms: May to July
- Local time: EST/EDT
Where does this data come from?
- NOAA NEXRAD radar via Iowa Environmental Mesonet
- National Weather Service, Tampa Bay Area office
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020: SARASOTA BRADENTON AP, FL US
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1996 to 2025
- USGS Elevation Point Query Service
- GOES-East satellite imagery
- Open-Meteo forecast API
- OpenStreetMap contributors
- National Hurricane Center: Hurricane Helene tropical cyclone report
- National Hurricane Center: Hurricane Debby tropical cyclone report
- National Hurricane Center: Hurricane Milton tropical cyclone report
- NWS Tampa Bay Area: Significant weather events
- NWS Tampa Bay Area: January 17, 2016 severe weather and tornadoes
- National Hurricane Center: Tropical cyclone climatology