National Weather ServiceFloridaTornado WatchArchive to October 1, 2026
Tornado Watches in Florida
The National Weather Service issued 11 tornado watches for Florida in 2025 and 26 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 7th most of any state. 2026 through September: 14, 33% below the average of 21 for those months in 2008-2025. Gulf was covered most often (192 times since 2008).
How many tornado watches does Florida get?
Every tornado watch that covered part of Florida. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 14 |
| 2025 | 11 |
| 2024 | 36 |
| 2023 | 22 |
| 2022 | 31 |
| 2021 | 30 |
| 2020 | 29 |
| 2019 | 17 |
| 2018 | 15 |
| 2017 | 33 |
| 2016 | 18 |
| 2015 | 12 |
| 2014 | 27 |
| 2013 | 15 |
| 2012 | 29 |
| 2011 | 34 |
| 2010 | 20 |
| 2009 | 38 |
| 2008 | 52 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does Florida get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in Florida?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulf | 192 | 30 | May 7, 2026 |
| Bay | 191 | 31 | June 18, 2026 |
| Calhoun | 188 | 30 | May 7, 2026 |
| Jackson | 187 | 33 | June 18, 2026 |
| Washington | 186 | 32 | June 18, 2026 |
| Escambia | 183 | 26 | June 18, 2026 |
| Okaloosa | 183 | 26 | June 18, 2026 |
| Santa Rosa | 183 | 25 | June 18, 2026 |
| Holmes | 180 | 31 | June 18, 2026 |
| Walton | 177 | 30 | June 18, 2026 |
| Liberty | 170 | 28 | May 7, 2026 |
| Franklin | 165 | 27 | May 7, 2026 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
What is a tornado watch?
Tornado watches come from the NWS Storm Prediction Center when thunderstorms able to produce tornadoes are possible over a large area, usually for several hours; local offices list the counties it covers. A watch means the conditions for the hazard are possible or favourable, but it is not yet happening: be ready to act if a warning follows. The national record · Every warning type in Florida.