2015 scorches warm temp records in Manatee County, elsewhere in S. Florida
MANATEE -- It has never been hotter in Manatee County.
For South Floridians wondering why they didn't get a break from blasting their air conditioners last month, the National Weather Service has an answer.
December 2015 was the warmest 12th month on record in South Florida, according to the weather service.
Bradenton's average yearly temperature was 75.1 degrees or about 2.2 degrees above normal, according to NWS.
Josh Linker, Bay News 9 meteorologist, confirmed 2015 will go down as the most heated in the record books.
"The last two months were exceptionally warm and that vaulted the yearly numbers to the top of the charts in many spots," Linker said. "Just about all of the reporting stations had every month above normal except February. A few spots during the summer months featured temperatures only slightly above normal."
Bradenton was not alone. Other record breakers include:
Tampa: Average yearly temp 76.1 or 2.7 degrees above normal.
Lakeland: Average yearly temp 75.6 or 3.1 degrees above normal.
St Petersburg: Average yearly temp 76.3 or 2.1 degrees above normal.
Miami and Fort Lauderdale ex
perienced average temperatures of about 77 degrees while in Naples and West Palm Beach the average was 76 degrees.
The Miami average is about 2 degrees warmer than the previous high of 75.4 degrees set in December 1931.
This year also set a record as the warmest year across South Florida with an average of about 79 degrees in Miami, 77 degrees in Naples and about 78 degrees in Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach.
Rainfall was also excessive, but mainly during typically wet months, Linker said.
"Most areas had significantly higher than average yearly rainfall but the last couple of months were fairly dry.
Tampa finished the year with 63.5 inches of rain or 17.2 inches above normal.
Other rainfall totals include 51.41 inches in downtown Bradenton, 54.43 at Plant City, 53.86 at St. Leo in Pasco County, and 67.57 in Mountain Lake in Polk County.
"Looking ahead to 2016, the year should begin cooler than average and wetter than normal with the El Nino still in effect," Linker said.
January is typically a relatively dry month, where an average of 2.25 inches of rain falls.
Saturday featured cooler air with highs in the upper 60s. Rain chances are at 30 percent for Saturday, 90 percent for Sunday.
"A cold front moved through overnight and will bring a big change after the recent record warmth," Linker said.
Sunday will be cloudy and rainy. Rainfall amounts should be between a half and one inch. Temperature will hold in the 50s all day.
Rain should end Sunday night, then clearing and a chilly start Monday. Sunny but cool Monday with highs in the mid-60s.
This story was originally published January 2, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "2015 scorches warm temp records in Manatee County, elsewhere in S. Florida ."