What should you know about South Florida's weather?
- NWS office
- Miami/South Florida (MFL)
- Climate
- Tropical monsoon
- Time zone
- EST/EDT
- Elevation
- 1 ft
- Coordinates
- 25.76° N, 80.19° W
- Nearest radar
- KAMX · Miami NEXRAD · 17 mi
- County
- Miami-Dade County, FL
- Yearly rain
- 57.2 in
- Warmest month
- August · 83.1°F average
- Coldest month
- January · 67.4°F average
- Severe storm peak
- Apr to Jun
How much rain does South Florida get each month?
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 73.6 | 74.8 | 76.5 | 79.6 | 82.7 | 86.0 | 87.8 | 88.1 | 87.0 | 83.7 | 78.9 | 76.1 |
| Low °F | 61.2 | 63.3 | 65.2 | 69.8 | 73.6 | 76.5 | 78.0 | 78.1 | 77.2 | 74.4 | 68.6 | 64.6 |
| Rain (in) | 2.33 | 2.27 | 2.47 | 3.44 | 4.94 | 7.76 | 5.98 | 7.51 | 8.45 | 6.49 | 3.29 | 2.25 |
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Rain (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 73.6 | 61.2 | 2.33 |
| Feb | 74.8 | 63.3 | 2.27 |
| Mar | 76.5 | 65.2 | 2.47 |
| Apr | 79.6 | 69.8 | 3.44 |
| May | 82.7 | 73.6 | 4.94 |
| Jun | 86.0 | 76.5 | 7.76 |
| Jul | 87.8 | 78.0 | 5.98 |
| Aug | 88.1 | 78.1 | 7.51 |
| Sep | 87.0 | 77.2 | 8.45 |
| Oct | 83.7 | 74.4 | 6.49 |
| Nov | 78.9 | 68.6 | 3.29 |
| Dec | 76.1 | 64.6 | 2.25 |
MIAMI BEACH, FL US · 5 mi away · NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020
What did Hurricane Wilma look like on the South Florida weather radar?
It showed a peak velocity of 138 knots about 5000 feet above western Broward County as Wilma crossed in October 2005. NHC put the ratio of surface to 5000-foot winds at 0.65 to 0.70, which gives a peak surface estimate of 90 to 95 knots. After landfall near Cape Romano, most of the southeastern peninsula had at least Category 1 conditions, and parts of northern Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties likely had Category 2 conditions. Wilma caused the largest disruption to electrical service ever experienced in Florida.
Why is Hurricane Andrew still the benchmark in South Florida?
Andrew is the strongest and most devastating hurricane on record to hit southern Florida. It struck South Miami-Dade County before dawn on August 24, 1992, as a Category 5 with maximum sustained winds of 165 mph and a minimum central pressure of 922 millibars. About 49,000 homes were destroyed in southern Dade County, and an estimated 108,000 more were damaged. In Homestead, the hardest hit community, more than 99% of mobile homes were completely destroyed.
Why did downtown Miami flood during Hurricane Irma?
Largely because rain could not drain: Irma's storm surge pushed up water levels in the bay, so runoff in much of downtown, including along Brickell Avenue, had nowhere to go. Surge and tide together brought 4 to 6 feet of inundation to parts of Miami-Dade County in September 2017, especially along Biscayne Bay. NOAA soil samples taken two days later showed that seawater itself stayed largely within a block or two of the bay. Radar can show the heavy rain but not how high the bay is, so read coastal flood statements too.
How often does South Florida get tornadoes?
Since 1992, South Florida has averaged 11 reported tornadoes a year. Over 90% are EF-0 or EF-1, but Hurricane Milton produced EF-3 tornadoes at Wellington and Lakeport on October 9, 2024. Waterspouts can come ashore too: on May 25, 2015, one moved onto Fort Lauderdale Beach and flipped a bounce house about 30 feet into the air, injuring four children. Most tornadoes here are small and short-lived, so warnings often come only minutes before touchdown.
Has it ever snowed in South Florida?
Yes. On January 19, 1977, snow fell in South Florida for the first time in recorded history. It was seen as far south as Homestead and even on Miami Beach, and although the official Miami site at the airport did not report it, widespread eyewitness reports earned an asterisk in Miami's official precipitation records. Miami's high that day was 47 degrees, its second coldest afternoon high on record. That night, temperatures dropped to or below freezing everywhere in South Florida.
When should you check the South Florida radar?
Severe storm peak
April to JuneAbout 58% of the county's 1996 to 2025 severe reports fall from April to June. If you boat out of Key Biscayne, check KAMX for fast-moving cells before you leave the dock.
Rainy season
May 15 to October 15Nearly 70% of the average annual rainfall falls in this season, mostly from scattered storms driven by sea, lake and land breezes. On KAMX that looks like spotty cells, which is why the season averages 44.84 inches at Miami International Airport but 33.40 inches at Pompano Beach.
Hurricane season
June 1 to November 30Miami-Dade evacuates its storm surge planning zones, A through E, by a storm's track and projected surge rather than its category. Mobile home residents should leave under any hurricane evacuation order, whatever their zone, so do not wait for the first outer bands on KAMX.
Peak heat
July and AugustThese are the hottest months on average, and daily heat index values frequently reach or exceed 100°F. Radar will not show heat, so plan time at Haulover Park for early morning.
What else do people ask about the South Florida radar?
Which NWS office and radar cover South Florida?
NWS Miami/South Florida (MFL) issues forecasts and warnings for South Florida. The nearest NEXRAD radar is KAMX, about 17 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: MIAMI BEACH, 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: Hurricane Andrew
- National Hurricane Center: Hurricane Wilma tropical cyclone report
- National Hurricane Center: Hurricane Irma tropical cyclone report
- NWS Miami/South Florida: 2025 tornado and thunderstorm awareness
- NWS Miami/South Florida: 45th anniversary of snow in South Florida
- NWS Miami/South Florida: Beginning of the 2023 rainy season
- Miami-Dade County: Storm surge planning zones
- National Hurricane Center: Tropical cyclone climatology