The annual weather summaries for east central Florida over the past several years have ended up sounding like a broken record, especially in terms of temperatures. Pronounced warmer than normal conditions have largely continued to dominate the weather pattern across the region since 2015, with annual average temperatures from that year onward for many sites ranking in the top 5 warmest.
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This continued to be the case for 2020 (see rankings below), and both Leesburg and Sanford actually tied their warmest years on record (set in 2017 and 2015 respectively). If not for the colder than normal weather that moved into the region in December, it likely would have been the warmest year on record for the majority of climate sites across east central Florida.
The below normal temperatures in December were actually rather significant, due to the fact that monthly average temperatures were around 2 to 3 degrees below normal, and departures of more than a degree below normal have not occurred across the area since March of 2018! It is also interesting to note that while it was cold in December, no freezing temperatures occurred at the primary climate sites, continuing a long stretch of temperatures remaining above 32 degrees since January of 2018 (more details below).
Other than December, all other months and seasons during 2020 had average temperatures that were either near or above normal, with many ranking within the top 10 warmest. Numerous record highs and warm minimum temperatures were set or tied across the area through the year (see record tallies below). Between these two, it was the warm overnight low temperature records that again dominated at each site, which has also been a pattern across the area since 2015. In fact, the number of days where the temperature did not fall below 70 degrees during the year was the highest or second highest on record for the majority of primary climate sites (see listing below).
Drier than normal conditions largely dominated across the area the first few months of 2020, especially into March. A more active weather pattern into April then led to an increase in rainfall, as rounds of showers and stronger storms pushed through the region. An earlier start to the wet season in May and a continued active wet season through the summer and early fall kept precipitation generally near to above normal for much of the area, especially along the Treasure Coast. Heavy rainfall across this area, especially across Martin and southeast St. Lucie counties from Memorial Day weekend into late May and during early June produced rainfall totals between 10 to 15 inches in some spots for each event. Excessive rainfall occurred across this area again in early October, with totals up to 15 to 20 inches from Hobe Sound to Stuart, leading to flooding of many roadways, as well as some homes and businesses.
Hurricane Season 2020
It was an extremely active Atlantic hurricane season as well in 2020, breaking several records with 30 named storms. However for east central Florida, no direct strikes occurred across the area from any tropical storms or hurricanes, with increases in rainfall either being indirect influences from these systems or from outer rainbands. Isaias came close as it weakened to a Tropical Storm and lifted northward just east of the coast in early August, but heavier rainfall with this system remained well offshore.
The more active wet season through the summer and fall, and above normal precipitation in November generally led to near to above normal rainfall across the area for the year. Annual totals across much of the area generally ranged from 40 to 60 inches, up to around 70 to 90 inches occurring along the Treasure Coast due to the previously mentioned heavy rainfall events through the year. There were even some localized spots in the Stuart and Hobe Sound area that reached up to 95 to 100 inches in 2020! Fort Pierce and Stuart both had annual precipitation totals that ranked as 4th wettest on record for each site.
In contrast there were some spots that ended drier than normal, such as Leesburg and Sanford airports that had totals that were 11 to 12 inches below normal for the year. Sanford`s 40.33 inches for 2020 was actually the 8th lowest reported annual rainfall amount for this site. However, this was more the exception than the rule as nearby sites had totals that were easily 10-15 inches higher than that amount for the year.
2020 Statistics
Number of Daily Records Tied or Broken in 2020:
Max Temp Low Temp Cool High Warm Low Precip
Daytona: 7 0 3 18 1
Leesburg: 35 1 3 41 1
Sanford: 20 0 2 39 2
Orlando: 10 0 1 43 3
Melbourne: 4 0 7 25 3
Vero Beach: 22 2 2 29 4
Ft. Pierce: 14 1 1 18 3
- Total number of days in 2020 where the minimum temperature was 70
degrees or warmer:
Number of Days/Ranking: Current or Previous Record:
Daytona: 163 days (2nd Highest) 164 days in 2019
Leesburg: 172 days (Highest) 170 days in 2019
Sanford: 177 days (Highest) 165 days in 2019
Orlando: 177 days (Highest) 171 days in 2019
Melbourne: 193 days (4th Highest) 206 days in 2019
Vero Beach: 204 days (Highest) 202 days in 2015
Ft. Pierce: 201 days (2nd Highest) 207 days in 1929
1077 Days and Counting since Freezing
- Stretch of consecutive days where the minimum temperature has remained above 32 degrees (still ongoing):
Number of Days*/Ranking: Current or Previous Record:
Daytona 1077 (2nd Longest Stretch) 1497 (12/25/1929-01/29/1934)
Leesburg 1078 (Longest Stretch) 729 (01/26/2003-01/23/2005)
Sanford 1077 (2nd Longest Stretch) 1115 (01/25/2003-02/12/2006)
Orlando 1078 (4th Longest Stretch) 1804 (01/25/2003-01/02/2008)
Melbourne 1078 (Tied for 4th Longest) 1538 (01/27/1950-02/11/1955)
Vero Beach 1078 (6th Longest Stretch) 2915 (01/16/1948-01/08/1956)
Ft. Pierce 1078 (3rd Longest Stretch) 1459 (01/20/2014-01/17/2018)
*Note: Current period above freezing began on 1/19/2018 for Leesburg, Orlando, Melbourne, Vero Beach and Ft. Pierce, and 1/20/2018 for Daytona Beach and Sanford. Streak above freezing is still ongoing for all sites, but total number of days reflected above goes through 12/31/2020.
Top 5 Warmest Years
- Top 5 Warmest Annual Average Temperatures (Degrees Fahrenheit)
and Last Year Set:
Daytona Leesburg
2. 73.4 2019 2. 74.7 2015
1. 73.7 2015 1. 74.8 2020/2017
3. 73.1 2020/2017/1990 3. 74.4 2019
Sanford Orlando
4. 72.9 1932 4. 73.8 2016/1998
5. 72.8 1998 5. 73.5 2013
1. 75.1 2020/2015 1. 75.6 2015
5. 73.7 2018/2007 5. 74.3 1972/1971/1948/1922
2. 74.7 2019 2. 75.4 2020
3. 74.5 2017 3. 75.2 2019
4. 74.1 2016 4. 74.9 1990
Melbourne Vero Beach
5. 74.4 2016 5. 74.8 2017/1991
1. 75.6 2019/2017 1. 76.2 2015
2. 75.5 2018 2. 75.6 2020
3. 75.4 2015 3. 75.3 1990
4. 74.6 2020/2007 4. 75.2 2019
Fort Pierce
1. 75.3 2015
2. 75.1 2020
3. 74.8 1982
4. 74.7 1990
5. 74.6 2019/1991/1975
Temperatures
Average temperature values for 2020 at the primary climate sites across east central Florida are as follows (rankings provided if in the top 10):
- Daytona Beach had an average temperature for the year of 73.1 degrees Fahrenheit, which was 2.2 degrees above normal. This ties as the 3rd warmest average temperature for the year on record at this site, also set in 2017 and 1990, with records extending back to 1923.
- Leesburg had an average temperature for the year of 74.8 degrees Fahrenheit, which was 2.6 degrees above normal. This ties as the warmest average temperature for the year on record at this site, also set in 2017, with records extending back to 1958.
- Sanford had an average temperature for the year of 75.1 degrees Fahrenheit, which was 2.4 degrees above normal. This ties as the warmest average temperature for the year on record at this site, also set in 2015, with records extending back to 1948.
- Orlando had an average temperature for the year of 75.4 degrees Fahrenheit, which was 2.6 degrees above normal. This ranks as the 2nd warmest average temperature for the year on record at this site, with records extending back to 1892.
- Melbourne had an average temperature for the year of 74.6 degrees Fahrenheit, which was 2.2 degrees above normal. This ties as the 4th warmest average temperature for the year on record, also set in 2007, with records extending back to 1937.
- Vero Beach had an average temperature for the year of 75.6 degrees Fahrenheit, which was 2.5 degrees above normal. This ranks as the 2nd warmest average temperature for the year on record at this site, with records extending back to 1942.
- Fort Pierce had an average temperature for the year of 75.1 degrees Fahrenheit, which was 2.1 degrees above normal. This ranks as 2nd warmest average temperature for the year on record at this site, with records extending back to 1901.
Rainfall
2020 rainfall totals for the primary climate sites across east central Florida are as follows (ranking provided if in the top 10):
- Daytona Beach received 46.68 inches of rain for the year, which was 2.94 inches below normal.
- Leesburg received 38.72 inches of rain for the year, which was 12.47 inches below normal.
- Sanford received 40.33 inches of rain for the year, which was 11.35 inches below normal. This ranks as the 8th lowest annual rainfall total on record at this site, with records extending back to 1948.
- Orlando received 53.25 inches of rain for the year, which was 2.52 inches above normal.
- Melbourne received 49.50 inches of rain for the year, which was 2.50 inches below normal.
- Vero Beach received 64.09 inches of rain for the year, which was 12.22 inches above normal.
- Fort Pierce received 73.71 inches of rain for the year, which was 19.87 inches above normal. This ranks as the 4th highest annual rainfall total on record at this site, with records extending back to 1901.
Cooperative Observer Station Rainfall Rankings:
- Stuart received 84.70 inches of rain for the year, which ranks as the 4th highest annual rainfall total on record at this site, with records going back to 1935.
Below is a list of observed precipitation totals and rainfall statistics for select sites across east central Florida for 2020:
Station 2020 Normal Departure Percent of
Rainfall Rainfall From Normal Normal
(DAB)
Daytona Beach 46.68" 49.62" -2.94" 94%
Orlando 53.25" 50.73" +2.52" 105%
Vero Beach 64.09" 51.87" +12.22" 124%
(MCO)
Melbourne 49.50" 52.00" -2.50" 95%
(MLB)
(VRB)
(DELF1)
Leesburg 38.72" 51.19" -12.47" 76%
(LEE)
DeLand* 62.94" 58.04" +4.90" 108%
Fort Pierce 73.71" 53.84" +19.87" 137%
Sanford 40.33" 51.68" -11.35" 78%
(SFB)
Titusville* 54.50" 53.99" +0.51" 101%
(TITF1)
(FPR)
(STRF1)
Stuart* 84.70" 63.72" +20.98" 133%
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