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Weather & Climate in Alto, GA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Alto enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (15°C). Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. The area gets 318 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 44. The city sits at an elevation of 1,347 feet.
Temperature
41°F Jan (5°C)
77°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 59.5°F |
| 10% above US avg | |
| January Average | 41°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 77°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 318 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,347 ft (411 m) |
| Area | 1.1 sq mi (2.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,032/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.4650°N, 83.5726°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Banks County County |
| Nearest Airport | Oconee County Regional (CEU) 42 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 44.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 12.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 24.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 14.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
93 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.1.
| May 10, 2025 | 21 km SE of Greenback, Tennessee | M4.1 | 126 km | 25 km |
| Jul 5, 1995 | 12 km ESE of Tellico Plains, Tennessee | M3.7 | 111 km | 10 km |
| Jul 19, 1997 | 12 km E of Cohutta, Georgia | M3.5 | 126 km | 3 km |
| Mar 18, 2003 | 11 km S of Rayle, Georgia | M3.5 | 107 km | 5 km |
| Jun 16, 2006 | 9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina | M3.4 | 121 km | 1 km |
| Jan 3, 1992 | 4 km ENE of Willington, South Carolina | M3.4 | 119 km | 3 km |
| Apr 11, 2006 | 5 km NE of Etowah, Tennessee | M3.3 | 130 km | 20 km |
| Apr 20, 2010 | 4 km SW of Maryville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 145 km | 2 km |
| Jun 4, 2023 | 4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina | M3.2 | 139 km | 0 km |
| May 10, 2006 | 3 km WNW of Madisonville, Tennessee | M3.2 | 141 km | 25 km |
| Aug 1, 2009 | 8 km ENE of Ducktown, Tennessee | M3.2 | 94 km | 5 km |
| Apr 4, 2009 | 15 km N of Milledgeville, Georgia | M3.1 | 143 km | 0 km |
| Jun 23, 2008 | 10 km ESE of Cohutta, Georgia | M3.1 | 127 km | 9 km |
| Jan 15, 1993 | 1 km N of Apison, Tennessee | M3.1 | 147 km | 8 km |
| Oct 30, 1991 | 9 km NNE of Eton, Georgia | M3.1 | 115 km | 8 km |
| Aug 23, 2025 | 3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina | M3.0 | 137 km | 2 km |
| Sep 24, 1991 | 6 km NE of Greenback, Tennessee | M3.0 | 146 km | 13 km |
| Nov 1, 2009 | 1 km ESE of South Cleveland, Tennessee | M3.0 | 139 km | 25 km |
| Nov 10, 1992 | 4 km ESE of Greenback, Tennessee | M3.0 | 141 km | 10 km |
| Jan 21, 2022 | 16 km NNE of Eton, Georgia | M2.9 | 118 km | 15 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
2 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 1.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2018 | Michael | Category 1 | — | 265 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 2 | 98 mph | 228 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
384 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 38 fatalities, 700 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 70 km | 17.7 mi | 6 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 86 km | 24.0 mi | 4 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF3 | 48 km | 16.7 mi | 1 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 41 km | 37.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 20, 1998 | EF3 | 32 km | 4.0 mi | 12 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF3 | 30 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF3 | 44 km | 23.0 mi | 3 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF3 | 60 km | 44.0 mi | 3 |
| Nov 22, 1992 | EF3 | 35 km | 10.0 mi | 1 |
| Nov 15, 1989 | EF3 | 17 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1974 | EF3 | 76 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 13, 1973 | EF3 | 33 km | 9.5 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 1973 | EF3 | 66 km | 18.7 mi | 1 |
| Apr 2, 1970 | EF3 | 62 km | 6.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 21, 1962 | EF3 | 85 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 23, 2022 | EF2 | 81 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| May 3, 2021 | EF2 | 87 km | 29.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF2 | 100 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 8, 2017 | EF2 | 82 km | 8.4 mi | 0 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF2 | 94 km | 21.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ROCK MOUNTAIN (25,224 acres, 2016).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2016 | ROCK MOUNTAIN | 25,224 | 59 km |
| 2016 | TELLICO | 14,172 | 93 km |
| 2016 | BOTELER | 8,626 | 68 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 5,084 | 83 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 3,298 | 55 km |
| 2016 | CAMP BRANCH | 3,234 | 79 km |
| 2023 | PANTHER KNOB | 3,170 | 74 km |
| 2019 | JACK DAVIS/DOGWOOD SPRINGS RX | 3,120 | 85 km |
| 2020 | CHAMBERS-GRAPE-HICKORY AP | 2,421 | 52 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 2,286 | 96 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 2,201 | 13 km |
| 2010 | BRAMLETT RIDGE | 2,200 | 43 km |
| 2023 | BRAMLETT RIDGE FY 23 | 2,172 | 42 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 2,133 | 42 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,087 | 76 km |
| 2023 | TRAIL RIDGE FY23 | 2,085 | 39 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 1,998 | 39 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,911 | 42 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 1,855 | 76 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,803 | 33 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 41°F (5°C) | 5.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 44°F (7°C) | 5.1 in | |
| March | 52°F (11°C) | 6.2 in | Wettest |
| April | 59°F (15°C) | 4.5 in | |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 4.8 in | |
| June | 73°F (23°C) | 4.4 in | |
| July | 77°F (25°C) | 4.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 76°F (24°C) | 4.5 in | |
| September | 71°F (21°C) | 4.2 in | Driest |
| October | 60°F (15°C) | 4.3 in | |
| November | 51°F (11°C) | 4.5 in | |
| December | 43°F (6°C) | 4.8 in |
Alto has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 41°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 57.8 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.2") and September the driest (4.2").