Tampa, Florida – May 2025 delivered one of the hottest Mays on record across Central and Southwest Florida, with Lakeland notching its third-warmest May ever and Fort Myers tying its all-time record high of 97°F late in the month.
According to the National Weather Service Tampa Bay, most locations in the region finished the month with temperatures 2 to 4 degrees above average, and some cities also saw long-awaited rainfall boosts. Lakeland recorded 6.57 inches of rain, nearly 3 inches above normal, helping ease early-season drought concerns. Sarasota-Bradenton and St. Petersburg also finished wetter than average, with gains of 0.22″ and 0.66″, respectively.
Still, some areas remained dry. Brooksville finished nearly 0.7″ below average, making it the 59th driest May since records began in 1892. Punta Gorda also saw a slight deficit.
The heat was unrelenting across the region. St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Bradenton, and Punta Gorda each saw highs in the mid-90s to near 97°F, pushing air conditioners to their limits and raising fire weather concerns. Residents were urged to stay hydrated, limit outdoor activity, and monitor updates from local emergency management.
More rain is expected in early June as Florida’s rainy season ramps up. Stay tuned for updates and prepare for possible localized flooding in saturated areas.
