Local weather conditions have a major influence on home design, construction materials and methods, and building codes. A home that is ill-adapted to its climatic environment is likely to fail in one or more ways, resulting in premature deterioration, storm damage necessitating repairs, and at minimum, high costs of maintenance and operation.
We’ve all heard nightmare stories. Pinprick leaks producing black mold. Salt air rusting everything unless it is perfectly sealed or made of plastic or stainless steel. Sunlight ruining surfaces. Rainfall overwhelming pumps. The list could go on.
Homeowners must be vigilant for the many ways that nature can invade and degrade, regardless of a building’s age: newness in Florida is a fleeting state. Every structure has susceptibilities, and trouble awaits those who are incurious or discount their significance. Similarly, buyers must bring a trained eye to prospective properties — either their own or an expert’s — to spot telltale evidence of larger problems — faint stains, surface irregularities, hairline cracks — and artful attempts at coverup.
This article will do two things. First, highlight key weather conditions in Indian River County. And second, crosswalk these conditions to features in a home that are designed to protect against them. Long-term residents are savvy about the gorgeous, yet harsh environment we live in. Newcomers beware.
Climate
The most significant terrestrial feature of Vero Beach — besides the beach, ocean and lagoon — is its tropical climate. A tropical climate is formally defined by monthly average temperatures of 64° Fahrenheit (F) or higher across all 12 months, a threshold met in Vero Beach in 11 months, January being the sole exception, with temperatures averaging 61°F. (Note: all temperatures below are Fahrenheit.)
To the north, Sebastian Inlet is considered the demarcation line between tropical and subtropical climates; as such, think of Vero Beach as at the northernmost reaches of tropical southeast Florida, susceptible to slightly colder temperatures for what amounts to a handful of evenings in January, our dead of winter.
Given constant moderate-to-high temperatures, the distinguishing weather variation in tropical climates is wet and dry seasons. The rainy season runs May through October, during which heat-powered late afternoon thunderclouds — predictable enough to set one’s watch by — produce brief spells of heavy precipitation: imagine driving rain one minute, sunshine the next, sauna conditions thereafter.
Alternatively, the dry season, November through April, brings long stretches of blue sky — unblemished or scattered clouds — punctuated by one or two overcast days, not all yielding rain. Occasionally, the dry season can be severe, necessitating water restrictions.
In sum, tropical climates are characterized by warm temperatures and adequate rain throughout the year, allowing suntans to deepen and flowering plants to bloom continuously.
Temperatures
The period of warmest weather, coinciding with the wet season and spanning June to October, produces average daily high temperatures in excess of 86°. The warmest month is August, with average highs of 90° and average lows of 73°. Summers average 48 days when the thermometer breaks 90°, ranking Vero Beach among the coolest places in Florida.
Temperatures moderate significantly December through March, with average highs below 75°. January is the coldest month, with average highs of 73° and average lows of 51°. Year round, 45 nights average 50° or less — nearly half occurring in December and January. While freezes are rare, ten nights dip below 40°. (Break out your jeans, sweaters, and Uggs!)
Sunshine
Vero Beach is blessed with abundant sunshine year round. In the dry season, the sun dominates, rising radiantly from the ocean, rendering the entire sky a medium blue, tracking steadily overhead along its day arc, descending as a glowing disc into a crimson-streaked horizon. Even at the height of rainy season, the sun prevails most days before noon, appearing intermittently thereafter between downpours, back-lighting clouds, beams shooting through openings. The clearest month is April, the cloudiest July.
Across the calendar, Vero Beach enjoys on average 232 predominately sunny days, not far short of San Diego’s amazing 266 days, and well above regional neighbors Atlanta, with 217 days, and Charleston, with 209 days (the U.S. average is 205 days).
Rainfall
The average annual rainfall in Vero Beach totals 54 inches, with measurable precipitation occurring on average 126 days per year (U.S. averages are 38 inches and 106 days, respectively). August is the wettest (and recall, warmest) month, with 19 days of precipitation on average. December is the driest, with only six wet days. Interestingly, Atlanta, with a moderate climate and four distinct seasons, sees roughly comparable rainfall to tropical Vero Beach, receiving on average 51 inches of precipitation across 109 days. Charleston is slightly drier, receiving 48 inches of rain across 106 days.
Statistics, however, fail to convey the typical tropical downpour experienced on a typical rainy season day (which is to say, rain may fall heavily elsewhere occasionally, but not predictably). The onslaught begins off in the distance, with clear skies giving way to clouds. As the storm nears, gray curtains of precipitation become visible, the most dense obscuring everything behind from view. Gradually, the rain line reaches, then envelops, one’s position. Water beats down in heavy drops, seemingly gallons per square foot, incessantly, violently, sometimes falling vertically absent wind, sometimes near-horizontal with strong, steady winds or gusts. The noise of water colliding with earth, hardscape, roofing, is deafening. Early on, small puddles collect in depressions, then expand into pools. In time, rain tapers to drizzle, or ends abruptly. Unexpectedly — almost unnaturally — the sun returns. In sandy soil, water disappears rapidly into the earth — within minutes. In twice that time, all evidence that it has rained — torrentially — is gone.
Humidity
Humidity is inherent to tropical climates except in winter months. Relative humidity — expressed in percentages — is a measure of the quantity of moisture in the air relative to the quantity needed to saturate the air at that temperature. In Vero Beach in August and September, the relative humidity peaks at 81 percent, the air heavy with moisture, described as muggy, sticky, wet, close, or simply oppressive.
Heat index, another way to quantify discomfort, combines air temperature and humidity. Vero Beach’s average heat index in August is a roasting 104°, which corresponds to a “Danger” level (103° to 124°) warning: Heat cramps or heat exhaustion likely, and heat stroke possible with prolonged exposure and/or physical activity. Golfers and tennis players take care.
Wind
The windier part of the year in Vero Beach is during the dry season, October through May, with average wind speeds exceeding nine miles per hour (mph). March is the windiest month, with an average wind speed in excess of 11 mph. While speeds of this magnitude may seem low, they are sufficiently strong to make the wind a noticeable and important part of daily weather and outdoor activities.
The Beauford wind scale classifies winds of 8 to 12 mph as a “gentle breeze,” producing “Large wavelets. Crests begin to break. Foam of glassy appearance. Perhaps scattered white horses. Leaves and small twigs in constant motion. Wind extends light flag.” The beauty of these conditions — far from gentle in a physical sense — is that living near the ocean, there is almost always an invigorating breeze to make one feel alive.
The calmest period is during the hot and humid summer months, June through September, when even a hint of wind is a gift. In July, the stillest month, average wind speed is only seven mph — a “light breeze” on the Beauford scale. The predominant wind direction, accounting for nine months, is from the east — directly off the ocean. Winds from the south prevail June to August, and from the north January to February.
Tropical Cyclones
Florida is hit by more hurricanes than any other state — roughly 40 percent of 300 recorded hurricanes making landfall in the U.S. historically. If you deeply fear these storms, fixate on their destructive force, and would flee at the first notice of formation, you should not own property in Florida even remotely close to the ocean or gulf.
The potential each year for large, powerful, cataclysmic weather events is a fact of life in Florida and Vero Beach. In any given year, the “big one” could visit our shores . . . or not. Since 1930, Vero Beach has been impacted by 73 hurricanes.
A tropical cyclone is a rapidly rotating — counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere — storm center with a pronounced low pressure center, high winds, and thunderstorms producing heavy rain. They derive energy when warm water (e.g., the Caribbean in summer) evaporates and rises, ultimately condensing upon cooling into clouds and rain. The warmer the water, the greater the potential for a sizable storm. There are four levels of tropical cyclone defined by maximum (one-minute) sustained surface wind speed: tropical depression, 38 miles mph or less; tropical storm, 39 to 73 mph; hurricane, 74 to 110 mph (categories one and two); and major hurricane, 111 mph and higher (categories three and four).
Damage produced by tropical cyclones is a combined function of three main causes. First, of course, wind. Second, flooding from rain, related not to the intensity of the system, but its relative speed, and therefore how much water is dumped on a location. And third, storm surge, or the wall of water that is pushed onshore as the system meets land. For those who have never experienced these disturbances, mere 50 mph winds are frightening.
Hurricane season in Florida runs a full six months, from June 1 to November 30. Dividing the state into quadrants, Southeast Florida (Vero Beach’s locale) is ranked third in terms of hurricane frequency, far behind Northwest Florida, and just a storm better than Southwest Florida. Comparing coastal counties, Indian River falls midway between extremes, recording 13-14 hurricane strikes between 1900-2010, compared to first-rank Monroe, with 26-32.
In Vero Beach, September is the leading hurricane month, followed by August and October. Of total cyclones, there is roughly an even split between tropical storms and hurricanes. On average, Vero is brushed by or hit by a hurricane every 2.4 years. Average duration between a direct hurricane hit (hurricane force winds for a few hours) is 6.2 years. Average years between a major hurricane hit is 21.2 years. The last serious hurricane to impact Vero was Dorian in 2019, a category five that stalled over the Bahamas, causing, in that country alone, 245 deaths and $3.4 billion in damage.
Implications for Homeowners
Considering the weather we enjoy and endure, Vero Beach homes require extra levels of hardening (a term typically applied to military facilities) if they are to withstand the tests of time. Barring a direct hit, the worst-case scenario to plan and build for is 100 mph sustained winds, driving sheets of rain against every square inch of a house — say, six inches of precipitation an hour — bringing with it whatever flora and man-made debris take flight.
New construction presents the ideal opportunity to build preparedness into a home comprehensively. Short of a complete overhaul, renovation runs the risk of piecemeal upgrades, necessitating a calculated assessment of what structural deficiencies and attendant risks are acceptable. In Florida, over-engineering trumps making do and getting by.
Temperature
Insulation: ensure adequate insulation in attic and walls to
minimize heat entry and cool air escape
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system (HVAC): ensure adequate capacity for square footage, efficient operation, free of leaks and corrosion, clean ducting and filters
Windows and doors: ensure tight-fitting, fully-sealed windows and doors
Ceiling fans: install ceiling fans to aid in movement/distribution of internal air
Sunlight
Tinting: consider tinting on new windows or aftermarket film application to boost energy efficiency, safety, prevent fading of fabrics
Shade-inducing structures: incorporate eaves, covered areas to reduce direct sunlight on windows and doors, seating areas, also shield from rain
Sun damage: select materials (e.g., roofing, siding, trim) proven to not degrade or fade in prolonged, intense sunlight
Rainfall
Roofing: ensure good condition to prevent leakage
Windows and doors: ensure tight-fitting, fully-sealed windows and doors
Stucco walls: ensure integrity of water barriers (flashing, applied sealers) and check routinely for signs of breaching (discoloration, flaking, cracks)
Gutters and piping: install gutters and maintain cleanliness to prevent water intrusion into walls, additional conduit to carry water away from foundation
Humidity
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system (HVAC): ensure adequate cooling capability and temperature control as systems dehumidify as a secondary function of operation
Mold: be vigilant for evidence of water damage and immediately investigate suspicious findings
Tropical Cyclones
Roofing: ensure good condition, inspect routinely, and repair even marginal evidence of degradation. Consider performing a wind mitigation inspection on both new and existing roofs
Construction: consider cinder block with cement roofing to achieve the strongest, most durable structure. Wood frame houses ideally utilize bracing straps to create one cohesive unit that provides greatest strength; extensive renovations will require comprehensive strapping to meet contemporary stringent building codes
Windows and doors: consider investing in impact windows and doors for added safety, energy efficiency, and convenience (eliminates need for removable/unsightly hurricane shutters)
Gas generators: consider investing in a permanently-installed gas generator of sufficient size to power entire home or select items. On the barrier island, this requires an underground propane tank of some size.
Owning a home in Florida along a coast is an active responsibility around the year. The good news is, every region of the country has its own equivalents of damaging weather. That said, Florida is among a handful of states susceptible to hurricane devastation. In California, high taxes are considered the price of living in a scenic paradise — still they have drought, floods, fire, and earthquakes to contend with. For us in Vero Beach, hurricane risk comes with the blessing of waking up every day in a better paradise.
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