West Palm Beach Weather Radar

West Palm Beach Live Weather

West Palm Beach Live Weather Radar

Click to toggle between the West Palm Beach cloud cover radar map and the West Palm Beach precipitation radar map.

West Palm Beach Hourly Weather Forecast

West Palm Beach 7-Day Weather Forecast

West Palm Beach Weather Overview

West Palm Beach weather radar matters because this city sits on the Lake Worth Lagoon side of Palm Beach County, exposed to Atlantic hurricanes, tropical moisture, and fast summer thunderstorm cycles. West Palm Beach weather radar is most useful from May through October, when the wet season turns small afternoon buildups into hard rain, frequent lightning, and sudden street flooding around downtown and the I-95 corridor.

Storm history here is not abstract. The 1928 Okeechobee hurricane devastated Palm Beach County and remains the region's defining flood disaster. In 2004, Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne hit Florida within weeks, keeping West Palm Beach weather radar in constant use for track changes, feeder bands, and wind shifts. NWS Miami's South Florida events archive also lists major urban flooding in Palm Beach County in 2023 and June 2024, a reminder that named storms are not the only problem.

West Palm Beach averages about 61.75 inches of rain annually, and much of it falls in short tropical bursts. The city has a tropical rainforest climate, with warm winters, oppressive summer humidity, and heat indices that often climb past 100°F before storms pop. West Palm Beach weather radar gives you a faster read on those changing conditions than waiting to see dark clouds over Flagler Drive or Palm Beach International Airport.

West Palm Beach Weather Risks & Safety

Key weather hazards to monitor on the West Palm Beach weather radar

Hurricane & Tropical Storm Risk

West Palm Beach sits in the path of Atlantic and Gulf tropical systems. Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, peaking in August and September when warm sea surface temperatures fuel rapid intensification. On the radar, you can track the eye wall, rain bands, and embedded tornadoes as a storm approaches. If you live in West Palm Beach, keep your evacuation plan current and check the radar frequently once a tropical advisory is issued.

Flooding & Flash Flood Risk

Flash flooding is West Palm Beach's most persistent weather hazard. Slow-moving thunderstorms or tropical moisture can dump enough rain to overwhelm drainage systems within hours — especially in paved urban areas where water has nowhere to go. Check the radar to see where the heaviest rain is falling and which areas to avoid. The standing rule: turn around, don't drown. Never drive through flooded roads, even if they look shallow.

Severe Thunderstorm Risk

Severe thunderstorms roll through West Palm Beach regularly, especially spring through early fall. Expect damaging winds above 58 mph, large hail, and dangerous lightning. The radar shows you each storm cell's position, movement, and intensity — so you can tell if one is headed your way. When a thunderstorm warning drops for West Palm Beach, get indoors and away from windows until it passes.

Extreme Heat Risk

Summers in West Palm Beach get dangerously hot — heat indices regularly push past 100°F, and heat waves can last for weeks. When the radar shows clear skies with no storm activity for days, that usually means the heat is building. Outdoor workers, elderly residents, and anyone without reliable AC are most at risk. Stay hydrated, avoid outdoor activity during peak afternoon hours, and check on neighbors who might be struggling.

How to Use West Palm Beach Weather Radar

Follow these steps to get the most from the West Palm Beach weather radar data.

Check the West Palm Beach Radar First

Open West Palm Beach weather radar before heading onto I-95, Okeechobee Boulevard, or the bridges over Lake Worth Lagoon. Summer cells build fast west of downtown and slide east with little warning, especially after lunch.

Watch Tropical Bands During Hurricane Season

From June through November, use West Palm Beach weather radar to track outer rain bands, training showers, and wind-driven squalls. Conditions can worsen quickly across Palm Beach International Airport, downtown, and the barrier island.

Time Outdoor Plans Around Lightning

Check the hourly forecast with the radar before walking Clematis Street, visiting The Square, or heading to Flagler Drive. The biggest problem is usually not all-day rain — it is sudden lightning and a 30-minute downpour.

Use the 7-Day View for Heat and Rain Windows

West Palm Beach weather radar works best with the 7-day forecast. Use both together to pick safer windows for beach trips, marina work, festivals, and afternoon errands during the wet season.

Who Benefits from West Palm Beach Weather Radar

How different people use the West Palm Beach radar data

Commuters & Drivers

Drivers on I-95 and Okeechobee Boulevard — spot flooding and slow-moving storm cells before rush hour.

Outdoor Enthusiasts

Walkers on Flagler Drive and the waterfront — check lightning risk before heading out near the lagoon.

Event Planners & Families

Downtown events on Clematis Street and at The Square — time setup around fast summer downpours.

Outdoor Workers

Crews at Palm Beach International Airport and nearby job sites — radar helps avoid exposed lightning windows.

West Palm Beach Weather FAQ

Common questions about West Palm Beach weather patterns and radar

When is hurricane season in West Palm Beach?

Hurricane season in West Palm Beach runs from June 1 through November 30, with the busiest stretch usually from August into early October. Palm Beach County sits on Florida's Atlantic side, so east-coast tracks matter. Residents here still measure storms against the 2004 season, when Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne struck South Florida within weeks of each other.

How much rain does West Palm Beach get each year?

West Palm Beach averages about 61.75 inches of rain per year, based on climate data summarized by U.S. Climate Data and long-term Florida Climate Center records. Most of that rain falls during the wet season from May through October. June is one of the wettest months, and short, intense afternoon thunderstorms can flood streets well before totals look dramatic.

What major storms have affected West Palm Beach?

The city's storm history is long. The 1928 Okeechobee hurricane remains the deadliest regional disaster tied to Palm Beach County flooding. More recently, Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne in 2004 caused widespread wind and rain damage, and NWS Miami's event archive lists major South Florida flood episodes in 2023 and June 2024 that affected Palm Beach County.

Does West Palm Beach flood easily during summer storms?

Yes. West Palm Beach can flood quickly because tropical downpours dump heavy rain in a short window, especially during the late-day sea-breeze pattern. Low spots near downtown, major arterials, and poorly drained neighborhoods can fill fast even without a named storm. West Palm Beach weather radar is useful here because timing matters more than daily rain totals.

How hot does West Palm Beach get?

West Palm Beach stays warm year-round, but the bigger issue is humidity. Summer highs regularly reach the upper 80s to low 90s, and the heat index can push well above 100°F. Google result summaries citing local climate records show the all-time record high reached 101°F on July 21, 1942, underscoring how dangerous inland heat can feel before storms fire.

How is this West Palm Beach weather radar different from WPTV radar?

WPTV gives West Palm Beach radar with anchors, video coverage, and breaking-storm updates, which is useful during hurricanes and tornado warnings. This page is lighter and faster: you get the live radar map, hourly forecast, and 7-day outlook without waiting through broadcasts. For quick daily checks, that usually gets you to the answer faster.