Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Alturas has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 74°F (23°C). Winters average 62°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. The area gets 330 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 52.8 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 167 feet.
Temperature
62°F Jan (17°C)83°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average
73.9°F
37% above US avg
January Average
62°F (17°C)
July Average
83°F (28°C)
Sunny Days
330 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
167 ft (51 m)
Area
59.9 sq mi (155.2 km²)
Population Density
72/sq mi
Coordinates
27.8421°N, 81.6816°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Polk County County
Nearest Airport
Winter Haven Regional (GIF) 16 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall52.8"
39% above US avg
Snowfall0.0"
Wettest Month (Jul)7.87"
Driest Month (Apr)1.93"
Air Quality
AQI Median
41.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively High
Risk Score
96.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability
49.8 / 100
Community Resilience
27.4 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively High
Hurricane
Very High
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Relatively Moderate
Flood
Relatively High
Hail
Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind
Very High
Heat Wave
Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather
No Rating
Lightning
Very High
Drought
Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave
Relatively Moderate
Landslide
Relatively Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Hurricane History
21 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980.
Strongest on record: Category 5.
Year
Name
Category
Max Wind
Closest
2024
Milton
Category 4
132 mph
41 km
2024
Helene
Category 4
138 mph
274 km
2024
Debby
Category 1
81 mph
243 km
2023
Idalia
Category 4
132 mph
275 km
2022
Ian
Category 5
161 mph
47 km
2022
Nicole
Category 1
75 mph
139 km
2021
Elsa
Category 1
75 mph
204 km
2019
Dorian
Category 3
109 mph
265 km
2017
Irma
Category 3
115 mph
44 km
2016
Matthew
Category 4
132 mph
173 km
2005
Wilma
Category 3
121 mph
195 km
2005
Ophelia
Category 1
75 mph
248 km
2005
Katrina
Category 1
81 mph
254 km
2004
Charley
Category 4
150 mph
30 km
2004
Jeanne
Category 3
121 mph
18 km
2004
Frances
Category 2
109 mph
55 km
2000
Gordon
Category 1
75 mph
209 km
1999
Irene
Category 1
81 mph
156 km
1995
Erin
Category 1
86 mph
127 km
1992
Andrew
Category 5
167 mph
242 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
741 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 37 fatalities, 640 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Apr 15, 1958
EF4
94 km
0.1 mi
0
Feb 22, 1998
EF3
48 km
28.0 mi
25
Feb 22, 1998
EF3
71 km
18.0 mi
3
Mar 19, 1981
EF3
78 km
8.0 mi
0
Oct 31, 1958
EF3
100 km
3.6 mi
0
Oct 9, 2024
EF2
85 km
2.6 mi
0
Oct 9, 2024
EF2
68 km
2.9 mi
0
Oct 18, 2019
EF2
39 km
11.5 mi
0
Sep 10, 2017
EF2
40 km
0.6 mi
0
Apr 6, 2017
EF2
89 km
4.1 mi
0
Jan 17, 2016
EF2
63 km
9.2 mi
2
Jun 24, 2012
EF2
12 km
6.2 mi
0
Dec 25, 2006
EF2
82 km
0.8 mi
0
Mar 9, 1998
EF2
18 km
10.4 mi
0
Dec 27, 1997
EF2
25 km
5.8 mi
0
Dec 7, 1996
EF2
61 km
2.0 mi
1
Mar 12, 1993
EF2
94 km
30.0 mi
1
Apr 15, 1987
EF2
97 km
12.0 mi
0
Feb 8, 1986
EF2
15 km
2.0 mi
0
Dec 12, 1983
EF2
72 km
1.0 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: STAGECOACH COMPLEX (14,079 acres, 2001).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2001
STAGECOACH COMPLEX
14,079
46 km
2021
KISSIMMEE BEND NORTH
13,782
64 km
2006
UNNAMED
12,050
49 km
1992
UNNAMED
11,488
63 km
2008
UNNAMED
11,294
96 km
1996
UNNAMED
9,427
67 km
2024
APQ RECREATION AREA RX 0506
8,901
65 km
1998
UNNAMED
8,794
41 km
2017
ECHO SPRINGS
8,640
52 km
1984
UNNAMED
7,765
68 km
2004
UNNAMED
7,670
41 km
2021
AREA 11
7,140
51 km
1989
UNNAMED
6,985
94 km
2011
UNNAMED
6,616
74 km
1994
UNNAMED
6,243
63 km
1993
UNNAMED
6,236
94 km
1992
UNNAMED
6,228
55 km
1991
UNNAMED
5,871
65 km
1994
UNNAMED
5,815
50 km
1993
UNNAMED
5,799
77 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
62°F (17°C)
2.3 in
Coldest
February
63°F (17°C)
3.0 in
March
67°F (20°C)
3.3 in
April
71°F (22°C)
1.9 in
Driest
May
77°F (25°C)
4.1 in
June
81°F (27°C)
7.3 in
July
83°F (28°C)
7.9 in
Warmest, Wettest
August
82°F (28°C)
7.1 in
September
81°F (27°C)
6.2 in
October
75°F (24°C)
2.5 in
November
68°F (20°C)
2.1 in
December
63°F (17°C)
2.1 in
Alturas has a seasonal temperature swing of 21°F / from 62°F in January to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 49.6 inches, with July being the wettest month (7.9") and April the driest (1.9").