While parts of the central U.S. were inundated with record-setting rainfall and deadly storms last month, Florida baked under hot, dry skies, according to the latest April 2025 U.S. Climate Report released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) today.
April brought unseasonably high temperatures and drier-than-average conditions to much of the Sunshine State, placing Florida among the regions most affected by expanding drought and rising wildfire risks.
Key Takeaways for Florida:
- Temperatures soared well above average, placing Florida in the “much-above-average” category for April 2025.
- Rainfall was significantly below normal, with large portions of the state experiencing intensifying drought conditions.
- The U.S. Drought Monitor reported worsening drought in Florida as of April 29, with drought areas growing in both size and severity.
- The National Interagency Fire Center has listed Florida among regions with above-normal wildfire potential for May.
Florida’s warm, dry April stands in contrast to other regions in the U.S., where severe weather events—including over 150 tornadoes and widespread flooding—caused devastation across the South and Midwest.
Meanwhile, drought continues to tighten its grip on the state. While national drought levels eased in many areas, Florida saw the opposite trend, with conditions worsening throughout the month. This pattern aligns with NOAA’s May forecast, which projects continued warmth and a likelihood of persistent or expanding drought across Florida and the southeastern U.S.
Looking Ahead:
According to NOAA’s Monthly Drought Outlook, Florida residents should prepare for more of the same in May. Hotter-than-normal temperatures are expected to continue, and little relief is on the horizon in terms of rain. The state also remains under heightened alert for wildfire outbreaks, especially in dry forested and grassland areas.
Background:
The average April temperature for the contiguous U.S. was 53.6°F—2.6°F above average—making it one of the warmest Aprils on record. Areas across the South and Atlantic coasts, including Florida, were among the most impacted by the anomalous heat.
For more details and interactive maps, visit the NOAA Climate Report page.
