Climate

West Palm Beach has a tropical rainforest climate (Köppen Af), with mean temperatures in all months above 64.4 °F (18 °C).^[13][14] This tropical climate allows for many species of tropical plants throughout the city.
The wet season—May through October—is hot, humid, and wet. The average window for 90 °F (32 °C) temperatures is April 20 through October 8, but temperatures of 100 °F (38 °C) or higher have only occurred four times since record-keeping began in 1888. During this period, more than half of the days bring afternoon thunderstorms and sea breezes that cool the air for the rest of the day.^[15]
The dry season—November through April—is warm and mostly dry, with 80 °F (27 °C) temperatures remaining fairly commonplace even from December through February. However, the area experiences occasional cold fronts during this period, with daytime temperatures below 65 °F (18 °C) and lows dropping to 45 °F (7 °C) or further. These fronts last only a few days before high temperatures return to the 70s to 80s and low temperatures to the mid-60s.^[15] During a severe and prolonged cold snap in January 2010, the city recorded 12 consecutive days of low temperatures at or below 45 °F (7 °C). Nine of the twelve days were below 40 °F (4 °C), with several mornings at or near freezing.^[16]
Annual average precipitation is 63 in (1,600 mm), making West Palm Beach the fourth wettest city in the country after Mobile, Alabama; Pensacola, Florida; and New Orleans.^[17] Most of the precipitation occurs during the wet season of May through October, mainly as short-lived heavy afternoon thunderstorms. Occasionally, stalled cold fronts in the fall and spring can also lead to heavy and prolonged rainfall. The only record of snow was on January 18, 1977, when flurries were reported. West Palm Beach has an average of 133 wet days and 234 sunny days annually. The hurricane season is officially from June 1 through November 30, with the peak months being August, September, and October. The city has received direct or near direct hits from hurricanes in 1928, 1947, 1949, 1964, 1965, 1979, 1992, 1999, 2004, and 2005.^[15]