When Is Hurricane Season in Florida?

Living in Florida, especially in the coastal areas of the state means you have to deal with hurricanes, tropical storms, and severe weather. Hurricane season in Florida happens every year. This is true whether you live in South Florida, Miami, the Florida panhandle, Jacksonville, Southwest (Gulf Coast) Florida or anywhere in between. In this article we cover what it is along with when it starts and ends. We also cover the history of hurricanes in Florida, frequency of storms, most prone areas in the state, frequently asked questions, and more. So keep reading to find out everything you need to know about Hurricanes in the Sunshine State.

Updated Nov 11, 2024.

Table of contents:

Introduction to Florida’s Hurricane Season

As mentioned above, Florida is affected by storm season every year from June 1st to November 30th. But what exactly is hurricane season, and why does it happen when it does?

What are hurricanes?

Hurricanes are tropical cyclones that have sustained wind speeds of 74 mph or higher. In addition to intense winds they also bring heavy rains, and potentially storm surge which can even reach inland areas.

They are classified by categories based on wind speed. Hurricane categories range from category one to category five. The severity of the hurricane increases as the category increases. In other words, a category 5 hurricane is the worst hurricane.

Tropical storms are storms that have sustained wind speeds between 39 mph and 73 mph. And while winds are lower they still can cause damage by both wind and water, including storm surge.

What is hurricane season in Florida?

Hurricane Season is the period when tropical cyclones typically form in the Atlantic Ocean. It tends to happen within the period of June 1st to November 30th. The season peaks around the middle of September.

Why does it happen from June to November?

This is the time period with the greatest differences in temperature between the air and sea surface in the Atlantic. It is this temperature difference that allows for the formation of tropical cyclones, such as hurricanes.

National Geographic Kids gives a helpful explanation of how hurricanes form over the Atlantic Ocean. They explain that Atlantic hurricanes form from a tropical depression in the ocean that circles an area of low air pressure. Low pressure above the ocean surface makes the hot, humid air from the ocean rise in a spiral shape. As the humid air rises it cools down and condenses into bands of clouds and storms. The low pressure spiral continues to suck up more humid air from the ocean surface. And this causes the spiral to get stronger as it continues. This may continue until it turns into a tropical cyclone, such as a tropical storm or hurricane.

Similarly, in a guide entitled “How do Hurricanes Form” by the NOAA, hurricanes start with a low pressure area that sucks up warm ocean air. When the warm ocean air rises and cools it causes storms to form, which increase in strength and speed as more warm air is sucked up. They state that “warm ocean waters and thunderstorms fuel power-hungry hurricanes.”

Occurrence and Frequency of Hurricanes in Florida

Florida has a long history of hurricanes and severe weather. In fact, it is a fairly regular occurrence. How regular? Based on June 2023 data the NOAA reports that over 120 hurricanes have been recorded in Florida since 1851 with 41 being classified as major hurricanes (category 3 or higher).

How often does Florida get hurricanes? According to Best Places Florida is affected by a tropical storm or hurricane about once every 3 years. However, the frequency has been more often recently as the state has experienced significant hurricanes in both 2022 and 2023.

Southwest Florida has been hit by a major storm once about every 5 years. These included Hurricane Irma in 2017 and Hurricane Ian in 2022.

What Florida cities are affected the most by hurricanes and tropical storms?

According to Hurricane City’s ranking of cities with the highest frequency of being “affected by” a hurricane/tropical storm since 1871, Fernandina Beach has the highest frequency of being affected by either a hurricane OR a tropical storm. Specifically, they have been hit or brushed by a storm every 1.92 years. Miami, Cape Canaveral and Tampa are close behind with a frequency of being hit or brushed by one every 1.95 years. Other Florida cities with historically high frequencies include Tarpon Springs (every 1.97 years), Saint Augustine (every 1.97 years), Spring Hill (every 2 years), Palm Beach (every 2.03 years), Steinhatchee (every 2.03 years), and Sarasota (every 2.08 years).

However, this is based on the average since 1871 that each city has been hit or brushed by a hurricane since 1871. A brush is very different than an actual hit. The Florida city with the most actual hurricane hits since 1871 is Miami.

It should also be noted that the list above does not reflect the frequency of hurricanes in recent years. In fact, according to News4Jax, Miami has escaped the effects of the last 6 hurricanes to hit Florida since 2016.

Regardless, over the last 140+ years Miami has historically been highly affected. The South Florida city has been hit by 31 hurricanes since 1871 (hurricanecity.com), which is the most in Florida. This is an average of being hit by a hurricane about every 4-5 years.

Which area is most affected by Hurricanes alone (not tropical storms or depressions)?

In terms of Florida regions hardest hit, a Universal Property & Casualty report states that Northwest Florida (the Panhandle) is the most prone, on average since 1851. The FL region been affected by 66 total hurricanes since 1851. After that is Southwest Florida (49) and Southeast Florida (49).

Which cities are most affected by Hurricanes alone (not tropical storms or depressions)?

In terms of specific cities, Hurricanecity.com reports that Miami is the Florida city that has been hit by the most hurricanes alone since 1871. The South Florida city has been hit by 31. Other Florida cities with the highest number of hurricane hits include Delray (29), Homestead (29), Stuart (26), and Ft Lauderdale and Palm Beach at 25 respectively.

Which cities have been hit by the most Major Hurricanes (category 3 or higher)?

A major hurricane is one that is a category 3 or higher. According to Hurricanecity.com, the Florida city that has been hit by the most major hurricanes is Key Largo at 17. Other Florida cities who made the list include Key West and Naples (15 each), Chokoloskee (14), Delray and Homestead (13 each), Miami (12), and Fort Lauderdale (11).

How to prepare for hurricane season in Florida

Whether you live here or are visiting the best thing you can do is to be fully prepared before the season starts. If you need some guidance make sure to read our detailed guide on how to prepare and plan for a hurricane. You can also get guides for your specific area from your Florida city or county website.

Quick tips for preparation:

1. Get alerts so you know if there is a storm happening and when the storm will hit.
   • Sign up for an alert system or check weather alert websites so that you know in advance of all oncoming storms. You can get such alerts from the NOAA, NOAA/National Weather Service as well as state and local sources. If you live in the area you may also receive these alerts automatically from the weather service on your smartphone.
2. Know the difference between a hurricane watch and a warning. It is important to pay attention to hurricane warnings and watches, as well as ones for tropical storms.
   • Watches indicate that a storm may occur in an area the next 48 hours
   • Warnings indicate that a storm will occur in a specific area in the next 36 hours
3. Ensure you properly protect your home, condo, and/or business before a storm. Storm protection products, such as impact windows and hurricane shutters are a good investment to protect your property and family. They provide discounts on home insurance as well as help pay for potentially costly repairs resulting from hurricane damage.
   1. Find out more about hurricane shutters and other hurricane protection products
   2. Secure home insurance with windstorm coverage to help protect you in the event of damage from a hurricane as well as flood insurance if you are at risk of a flood
   3. If you do not have hurricane protection you can board your home up with proper plywood and anchors as a last resort.

Sources

• Policygenius – States With the Most Hurricanes
• City of Fort Myers, Florida – Hurricane Preparation and Safety Tips
• Wikipedia – List of off-season Atlantic hurricanes
• National Geographic Kids – Hurricanes
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) – How do hurricanes form?
• bestplaces – The Worst Places for Hurricanes
• Hurricanecity.com – Cities Most Hit by Hurricanes Only
• Hurricanecity.com – Cities Affected Most by Tropical Storms and Hurricanes