Climate and Storm History of Cocoa Beach, Florida

For the most part, the climate in Cocoa Beach can be classified as subtropical.  Meterogically speaking, “subtropics” are the geographical and climate zones which are immediately north and south of the tropical zones of the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.  In subtropical climates, winters are relatively warm and mild, and the summer season is quite hot and humid.  Cocoa Beach rarely—if ever—sees frost or snow, providing an ideal environment for plants such as palm, citrus and many broadleaf evergreens to flourish.

There is difference in the seasons in Cocoa Beach, with a slighter cooler winter season and much warmer summer.  Rainfall is quite plentiful in the summer months of June, July and August, and the humidity can be oppressive.  When it does rain during these months, it is typically a late afternoon occurrence and passes through relatively quickly.

Average temperatures in March are 77 degrees high and 55 degrees as the low; in June, the high averages 89 degrees, and the low is 71 degrees.  September brings highs of 88 degrees and lows of 72 degrees, while December is sees average highs of 73 degrees and lows of 53 degrees.

The most significant storm of recent history was Tropical Storm Fay, which struck the area on August 20, 2008.  The storm dumped over 20 inches of rain after forming from a dynamic tropical wave on August 15 over the Dominican Republic.  After passing through the Caribbean, Fay made landfall on the Florida Keys late in the afternoon of August 18.  Fay then veered into the Gulf of Mexico and made landfall near Naples, Florida, in the early hours of August 19 and moved into the Atlantic Ocean on August 20.

Extreme flooding affected several regions throughout Florida, as Fay was slow moving storm.  On August 21, the storm again made landfall near New Smyrna Beach, before moving due west across the Panhandle of the state, crossing Gainesville and Panama City, Florida.  Tropical Storm Fay was the first storm in recorded history to make landfall in the state of Florida a total of four times.  Thirty-six deaths were blamed on Fay, and the storm caused one of the most prolific tornado outbreaks since records have been kept.  In all, a total of 81 tornadoes touched down across five states.  Economic damage as a result of Tropical Storm Fay was heavy, estimated at $560 million.