What should you know about Palm Beach's weather?
- NWS office
- Miami/South Florida (MFL)
- Climate
- Tropical rainforest
- Time zone
- EST/EDT
- Elevation
- 6 ft
- Coordinates
- 26.71° N, 80.04° W
- Nearest radar
- KAMX · Miami NEXRAD · 79 mi
- County
- Palm Beach County, FL
- Yearly rain
- 61.7 in
- Warmest month
- August · 83.2°F average
- Coldest month
- January · 66.3°F average
- Severe storm peak
- Apr to Jun
How much rain does Palm Beach get each month?
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 74.7 | 76.7 | 79.2 | 82.2 | 85.7 | 88.3 | 90.0 | 89.9 | 88.0 | 84.7 | 80.0 | 76.5 |
| Low °F | 57.9 | 60.1 | 63.0 | 67.5 | 71.7 | 75.0 | 76.1 | 76.5 | 75.8 | 72.6 | 66.1 | 61.5 |
| Rain (in) | 3.47 | 2.63 | 3.31 | 3.68 | 4.91 | 8.48 | 5.63 | 8.68 | 7.96 | 5.90 | 3.62 | 3.48 |
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Rain (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 74.7 | 57.9 | 3.47 |
| Feb | 76.7 | 60.1 | 2.63 |
| Mar | 79.2 | 63.0 | 3.31 |
| Apr | 82.2 | 67.5 | 3.68 |
| May | 85.7 | 71.7 | 4.91 |
| Jun | 88.3 | 75.0 | 8.48 |
| Jul | 90.0 | 76.1 | 5.63 |
| Aug | 89.9 | 76.5 | 8.68 |
| Sep | 88.0 | 75.8 | 7.96 |
| Oct | 84.7 | 72.6 | 5.90 |
| Nov | 80.0 | 66.1 | 3.62 |
| Dec | 76.5 | 61.5 | 3.48 |
WEST PALM BEACH INTL AP, FL US · 4 mi away · NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020
Why do rip currents matter so much on Palm Beach beaches?
Since 1979, rip currents have claimed more lives in South Florida than all other weather hazards combined, including hurricanes, tornadoes and lightning, according to NWS Miami/South Florida. There were 6 reported rip current deaths in South Florida in 2024. The Storm Events entry for Palm Beach County records 9 injuries from rip currents on April 28, 2013. Radar cannot see a rip current, so check the surf forecast and the beach flags before you swim.
What are king tides, and why does radar miss them?
King tides are higher than usual tides that typically come to Florida in the fall, and they can flood low streets with no rain at all. Palm Beach County points residents to NOAA high tide predictions for the Lake Worth tide gauge to spot them ahead of time. Major coastal flooding can follow when a king tide lines up with strong onshore winds from a coastal storm. The town center sits only about 6 feet above sea level, so check tide times as well as the radar loop before parking near the water.
How common are waterspouts off Palm Beach?
They are common in the rainy season, since NWS Miami/South Florida ranks the southeast Florida coast from Stuart to Homestead as the second most active waterspout area after the Florida Keys. Most are weak, though they occasionally move onshore and cause minor damage. Only about 30 percent come with thunder and lightning, and most form in lines of building cumulus clouds. Special Marine Warnings usually follow a report from the public or a pilot, so treat any funnel over the water as a waterspout even when radar shows only a modest shower.
Why does the palm beach weather radar come from Miami?
KAMX in Miami is the nearest NEXRAD, about 79 miles from the town center. At that range its beam has climbed well above the ground and spread out, so small storm features near Palm Beach can be masked. NWS Miami/South Florida also posts an enhanced view from the FAA's Terminal Doppler radar at West Palm Beach. For short-lived cells along the coast, watch several frames of the loop rather than a single image.
When should you check the Palm Beach radar?
Severe storm peak
April to JuneAbout 57% of the county's 1996 to 2025 severe reports fall from April to June. Shoppers on Worth Avenue and golfers on the island check the loop before afternoon storms roll in.
Hurricane season
June 1 to November 30Most Atlantic activity comes between mid-August and mid-October. When evacuations are ordered, residents of the barrier island cross the bridges to the mainland early, before the first squalls arrive.
What else do people ask about the Palm Beach radar?
Which NWS office and radar cover Palm Beach?
NWS Miami/South Florida (MFL) issues forecasts and warnings for Palm Beach. The nearest NEXRAD radar is KAMX, about 79 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 Miami/South Florida and local emergency alerts.
Quick facts
- Radar: KAMX (Miami NEXRAD), a new frame every 5 minutes
- Forecasts and warnings: NWS Miami/South Florida (MFL)
- Severe storms peak from April to June (NOAA Storm Events, 1996 to 2025)
- Local time: EST/EDT
- Radar: KAMX, a new frame every 5 minutes
- Warnings: NWS Miami/South Florida (MFL)
- Severe storms: April to June
- Local time: EST/EDT
Where does this data come from?
- NOAA NEXRAD radar via Iowa Environmental Mesonet
- National Weather Service, Miami/South Florida office
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020: WEST PALM BEACH INTL 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
- NWS Miami/South Florida: Rip current awareness (RipWeb 2025)
- Palm Beach County: King tides
- NWS Miami/South Florida: Waterspout forecasting
- NWS Miami/South Florida: KAMX radar upgrade and backup coverage
- NOAA JetStream: Radar beams
- National Hurricane Center: Tropical cyclone climatology