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West Palm Beach Weather & Hurricane Preparedness Guide

West Palm Beach has a warm, subtropical climate that draws people here in the first place: short, mild winters and long, sunny days. But the same geography that gives you palm trees and ocean breezes also puts you in the path of hurricanes, summer downpours, and seasonal coastal flooding. Knowing how the seasons behave here, and getting ready before a storm is ever named, is the single most important thing you can do for your household.

This is the page to read carefully and come back to every spring. We will walk through the local climate, what to expect in the wet and dry seasons, king tides and flooding, and then a detailed, step-by-step hurricane preparedness plan: how to find your Palm Beach County evacuation zone, build a kit, make a family plan, protect your home, and know exactly what to do before, during, and after a storm. Wherever we cannot verify a specific number or date, we point you to the official source so you are always working from current information.

In a life-threatening emergency, call 911

For any immediate danger during or after a storm, call 911. For non-emergency help, information, and referrals around the clock, dial 211. To reach Palm Beach County's Emergency Information Center during an activation, call (561) 712-6400. Report downed power lines to 1-800-468-8243 (FPL) and stay far away from them.

Three things to do before hurricane season (by June 1)

  • Know your zone. Look up your hurricane evacuation zone and flood zone by address at ReadyPBC.com and write it on your plan.
  • Sign up for alerts. Register for free AlertPBC notifications by phone, text, and email.
  • Build your kit and plan. Stock water, food, medicine, and power supplies a little at a time, and agree on where your household will go and who you will call.

The subtropical climate: what to expect year-round

West Palm Beach sits in a humid subtropical to tropical climate. Locals divide the year into two seasons rather than four. The dry season runs roughly November through April: warm, sunny, and comfortable, with daytime highs commonly in the upper 70s to low 80s Fahrenheit and lower humidity. This is peak visitor season for good reason. The wet season runs roughly May through October: hot and humid, with daytime highs near 90°F, higher humidity, and frequent afternoon and evening thunderstorms. Most of the area's annual rainfall falls in these summer months, often as brief but intense downpours that build in the afternoon heat and clear within an hour or two, frequently followed by a cooling sea breeze.

The heat and humidity of the wet season are real safety factors, not just discomfort. The combination can push the heat index well above the actual temperature, so newcomers should take the sun seriously, especially in June through September. Note that the wet season overlaps almost exactly with hurricane season, which is why summer in South Florida means keeping one eye on the tropics.

Local tips

  • In summer, plan outdoor activity for the morning and watch the radar after lunch; storms tend to fire up in the afternoon.
  • Lightning is common with these storms. When you hear thunder, head indoors and wait at least 30 minutes after the last rumble.
  • Hydrate, seek shade, and never leave children or pets in a parked car, even briefly, in the warm months.

King tides and coastal flooding

Even on a clear, sunny day, low-lying parts of West Palm Beach can flood during king tides. King tides are the highest predicted tides of the year, caused by the alignment of the sun and moon, and they typically peak in the fall (around September through November). Because the city sits along the Lake Worth Lagoon and the Intracoastal Waterway, water can back up through storm drains and pool on mainland streets near the water, a phenomenon often called sunny-day or nuisance flooding. Sea level rise has made these high-tide flooding events more frequent across South Florida than they were a generation ago.

The City of West Palm Beach tracks king tide dates and posts notices, and has been investing in stormwater drainage and tidal flood-control valves to reduce ponding. King tides are usually a temporary nuisance rather than an emergency, but they are a useful preview of where water collects, which is exactly the information you want when planning for a storm.

Local tips

  • Watch the City of West Palm Beach site for posted king tide dates so you can avoid parking in flood-prone spots.
  • Never drive through standing salt or floodwater. It can hide road damage and corrode your vehicle.
  • Note which streets near you flood at king tide. Those are the same areas most at risk in a storm.

Hurricane season basics

The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30 every year, with activity peaking from mid-August through mid-October (the statistical peak of the season falls around September 10). South Florida can be affected by tropical storms and hurricanes throughout this window, and occasionally just before or after the official dates. The single most important habit is to prepare before a storm is on the map. Once a system is named and heading toward Florida, supplies sell out, lines form, and you have far fewer good options.

It helps to know the difference between a watch and a warning. A hurricane watch means hurricane conditions (sustained winds of at least 74 mph) are possible in your area, generally within about 48 hours. A hurricane warning means those conditions are expected, generally within about 36 hours. By the time a warning is issued, your preparations should already be done. Forecasts and official advisories come from the National Hurricane Center in Miami, with local detail from the National Weather Service Miami forecast office.

Local tips

  • Treat the start of June as your annual deadline to have a kit and plan ready.
  • Run from water, hide from wind: evacuation is mainly about escaping storm surge and flooding, not riding out wind far inland.
  • Follow official sources (NHC, NWS, county) rather than dramatic social posts or single forecast models.

Know your zone and your flood zone

Palm Beach County divides the county into hurricane evacuation zones, generally labeled A through E (with the western Glades communities of Belle Glade, Pahokee, and South Bay forming their own area). Zone A evacuates first and covers the most surge-vulnerable, low-lying, and barrier-island areas; later-lettered zones are progressively farther from the coast. When a storm threatens, county officials order evacuations by zone, so the first thing every resident and newcomer should do is look up which zone they are in. Separately, your FEMA flood zone tells you your flood-insurance risk, which is a different thing from your evacuation zone.

The county's official Evacuation Zone Look-Up Tool at ReadyPBC.com lets you type in your address (without punctuation) and see both your hurricane evacuation zone and your flood zone, with full maps. Importantly, regardless of your zone, everyone living in a mobile or manufactured home, or in older substandard housing, must evacuate during a hurricane warning, because even tropical-storm-force winds can topple these structures. Remember that the City of West Palm Beach (mainland) is distinct from the Town of Palm Beach (the barrier island, which is highly surge-exposed), neighboring cities, and the unincorporated county; your zone depends on your exact address.

If you live in a mobile or manufactured home

Regardless of your evacuation zone, anyone in a mobile, manufactured, or older substandard home must evacuate during a hurricane warning. Even tropical-storm-force winds can topple these structures. Plan now for where you will go.

Local tips

  • Look up your zone today at ReadyPBC.com, before any storm, and write it on your kit and family plan.
  • If you cannot stay home and are not in an evacuation zone, the safest move is often to shelter in place in a sturdy home rather than drive far away.
  • Download the free PBC DART app to check zones, shelter status, and recovery info from your phone.

Build your kit and make a family plan

Build supplies a little at a time over the off-season so you are not fighting crowds when a storm is named. The county recommends one gallon of water per person per day, with at least a 3-day supply if you may evacuate and roughly a 7-day supply if you plan to shelter at home (county shelters ask you to bring water for at least 5 days). Stock non-perishable food that needs no refrigeration and a manual can opener. Purchase or refill medicine last, and ask your pharmacy how to make sure prescriptions will last through a storm and its aftermath.

Just as important is a family communication plan. Pick an out-of-town contact everyone can call or text, since local lines and power often go down while long-distance and out-of-state contacts stay reachable. Agree on where your household will ride out the storm or where you will go if you evacuate, and decide now (a relative, a friend inland, a hotel, or a shelter as a last resort). Keep cash on hand, because ATMs and card readers fail without power, and keep your gas tank topped up during the season, because stations run out and lose power. Photograph or copy important documents and store them in waterproof bags and digitally.

Hurricane kit checklist

Local tips

  • Shop a little each grocery trip from spring on; add one gallon of water and some canned food each time.
  • Pick a single out-of-town relative or friend everyone in the family will contact after the storm.
  • Keep at least a half-tank of fuel and some cash at home throughout hurricane season.
  • If anyone in your home relies on electric medical equipment, look into the county's Special Needs Program well before a storm by calling Palm Beach County Emergency Management.

Protect your home: shutters, windows, and your yard

Your goal in a storm is to keep the wind and water out and to prevent loose objects from becoming projectiles. The two main ways to protect openings are storm shutters (accordion, panel, or roll-down) and impact-rated windows and doors. Impact (hurricane) windows are built into the home and protect automatically, with no last-minute labor, while shutters are less expensive up front but must be installed before each storm. Whichever you have, never rely on taping windows; tape does not prevent breakage and can create dangerous glass shards. Plywood cut and fastened correctly is a budget option, but buy and pre-fit it well before a storm rather than scrambling when one is imminent.

Outside, trim trees and weak branches before June, since debris will not be collected once a storm is close. Bring in or secure anything the wind can pick up: patio furniture, grills, trash cans, plants, and decorations. Reinforce your garage door, which is a common failure point, and clear gutters and drains so water can flow. Contrary to an old myth, keep your home sealed up during a storm. Opening windows does not relieve pressure and only invites in wind and rain.

Local tips

  • If you use plywood, cut and label panels for each window now and store the hardware with them.
  • Do not try to buy or install plywood once a warning is up; focus on finishing protection and getting to safety.
  • Photograph your home inside and out before the season for insurance, and keep receipts for any storm purchases.

Generators and carbon monoxide safety

A generator can be a lifesaver during a long outage, but it is also one of the deadliest post-storm hazards because of carbon monoxide, an invisible, odorless gas. Never run a portable generator indoors, in a garage, in a crawl space, or in any enclosed area, even with doors and windows open or a fan running. Place it outside, well away from doors, windows, and vents, and protect it from rain while keeping airflow clear. Install carbon monoxide alarms in your home and test them. These two steps prevent the most common cause of post-hurricane deaths.

There are electrical and fire hazards too. Never plug a generator into a wall outlet to power your house wiring (a dangerous practice called back-feeding) because it can electrocute utility workers and neighbors; use proper cords and connectors or a professionally installed transfer switch. Do not store generator fuel inside your home, keep it in labeled, non-glass safety containers outside, and always turn the generator off and let it cool before refueling so spilled gasoline cannot ignite.

Carbon monoxide kills — run generators outdoors only

Never run a generator indoors, in a garage, or near windows, doors, or vents — even with the door open. Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless and is the leading cause of post-hurricane deaths. Install CO alarms with fresh batteries near sleeping areas and test them.

Local tips

  • Test your generator before the season and run it again before a storm, but never operate it during the storm.
  • Keep CO detectors with fresh batteries near sleeping areas.
  • Do not use a gas grill or charcoal indoors either; the same carbon monoxide danger applies.

Pets, before, during, and after the storm

Pets need their own plan. Most county risk shelters cannot accept pets for health and safety reasons (service animals are an exception), so arrange now to keep pets with a friend or relative who is not evacuating, board them with a vet or kennel, or use a pet-friendly hotel. Palm Beach County operates a pet-friendly shelter for residents in mandatory evacuation zones, mobile homes, or substandard housing, but it requires pre-registration. Keep your pet's ID tags and rabies records current, and stock pet food, water, medications, and a carrier or leash.

For the storm itself, follow a clear before, during, and after sequence. Below is that timeline.

Before the storm

During the storm

After the storm

Local tips

  • Pre-register pets for the county pet-friendly shelter early if you may need it; space is limited.
  • Keep a current photo of each pet with you in case you are separated.
  • After the storm, report downed power lines and stay clear of any standing water that could be electrically charged.

Key contacts

Save these in your phone and write the most important ones on your printed family plan, since you may not have power or data after a storm.

Official resources & links

Always confirm specific zones, dates, shelter status, and numbers with these official sources before you act.

Sources: Palm Beach County Division of Emergency Management (Know Your Zone, the official Hurricane Planning Guide, and Evacuation Zones), ReadyPBC, AlertPBC, the Palm Beach County interactive evacuation-zone GIS map, the National Hurricane Center (forecasts and climatology), the National Weather Service Miami – South Florida office (local forecasts and PBI climate plots), the City of West Palm Beach (Hurricane Readiness Guide and king tide notices), FL511, FPL (Power Tracker and outage reporting), UF/IFAS Palm Beach County Extension, Climate-Data.org, and WeatherSpark. Dates, zone boundaries, shelter status, phone numbers, and program details change over time — always confirm current information with the official sources linked above before acting.