NewsWUSF (NPR Tampa Bay)October 25, 2026Hillsborough County
Hurricane Kate holds the record for the latest hurricane landfall in Florida
Photo: WUSF (NPR Tampa Bay)
November hurricane strikes in Florida are rare, averaging about once every 15 years over a 175-year span according to NOAA data. Hurricane Kate holds the record as the latest landfalling hurricane in the state, striking the Florida Panhandle on November 21, 1985.
Read the full story at WUSF (NPR Tampa Bay)Why It Matters
Late-season tropical storms can produce billion-dollar disasters despite hostile environmental conditions that generally weaken cyclones before landfall.
Key Facts
- Only around a dozen tropical storms and hurricanes have impacted Florida during November over 175 years, equating to a direct strike about once every 15 years.
- Hurricane Kate is the latest landfalling hurricane in Florida on record, striking near Mexico Beach in the Florida Panhandle on Nov. 21, 1985.
- Hurricane Kate made landfall as a Category 2 storm after reaching major Category 3 strength over the Gulf.
- There has never been a major hurricane strike on the continental United States during November due to hostile environmental conditions.
- NOAA estimated that Hurricane Nicole caused at least $1 billion in damage after affecting Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and the southeastern United States in 2022.
- The 1935 Yankee Hurricane struck the Miami area on Nov. 4, 1935, after developing near Bermuda and taking an unusual path south and southwest.
- Hurricane Wilma in 2005 became the strongest hurricane on record in the Atlantic basin at the time, with pressure dropping to 882 millibars and maximum sustained winds reaching at least 185 mph.
- Late-season storms generally weaken before landfall due to an increase in wind shear and cooler water temperatures.
Who's Mentioned
locationMiami“Area struck by the 1935 Yankee Hurricane”otherHurricane Nicole“Last hurricane to make landfall in Florida during November in 2022”locationCaribbean“Open waters where hurricanes maintained strength”otherHurricane Wilma“Strongest hurricane on record in the Atlantic basin at the time, occurring in Oc”locationFlorida Panhandle“Region struck by Hurricane Kate”locationMexico Beach“Location where Hurricane Kate struck in the Florida Panhandle”locationBermuda“Area near where the Yankee Hurricane developed”locationGulf“Body of water where Hurricane Kate reached major Category 3 strength”locationYucatan Peninsula“Area off which Hurricane Wilma's maximum sustained winds reached 185 mph”locationMexico“Country near where Hurricane Wilma's winds reached peak strength off the Yucatan”OrganizationNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration“Provided data on tropical storms and hurricanes impacting Florida”otherYankee Hurricane“Hurricane that struck the Miami area on Nov. 4, 1935”otherHurricane Kate“Holds the record for the latest landfalling hurricane in Florida on Nov. 21, 198”locationPuerto Rico“Area affected by Hurricane Nicole”otherTampa Bay Hurricane“Notable late-season hurricane occurring in October 1921”locationBahamas“Area affected by Hurricane Nicole”locationUnited States“Continental area with no major hurricane strikes recorded in November”