Weather & Climate in Athens, AL

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Athens enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. The area gets 301 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 59.1 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.3 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 676 feet.

Temperature

42°F Jan (6°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)

Annual Average	62.6°F
	16% above US avg
January Average	42°F (6°C)
July Average	81°F (27°C)
Sunny Days	301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	676 ft (206 m)
Area	40.1 sq mi (103.9 km²)
Population Density	657/sq mi
Coordinates	34.7790°N, 86.9508°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Limestone County County
Nearest Airport	Pryor Field Regional (DCU) 9 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 59.1"

55% above US avg

Snowfall 1.3"

Wettest Month (Mar) 6.57"

Driest Month (Aug) 3.39"

Air Quality

AQI Median	41.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	80.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability	23.8 / 100
Community Resilience	76.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Hurricane	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Relatively Low
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave	Relatively High
Landslide	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

75 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.6.

Apr 29, 2003	8 km S of Valley Head, Alabama	M4.6	125 km	20 km
Dec 8, 2001	5 km SW of Pleasant Groves, Alabama	M3.9	66 km	0 km
Jun 23, 1990	12 km E of Vernon, Alabama	M3.2	147 km	1 km
May 6, 2010	11 km ENE of Whitesboro, Alabama	M3.2	113 km	5 km
Sep 2, 1990	12 km NW of Fayette, Alabama	M3.2	145 km	1 km
Apr 5, 1994	10 km N of Trenton, Georgia	M3.2	135 km	24 km
Mar 21, 2001	7 km ESE of Trenton, Georgia	M3.2	138 km	0 km
May 10, 2020	7 km SSE of Sewanee, Tennessee	M3.1	105 km	8 km
May 2, 2003	8 km S of Valley Head, Alabama	M3.1	127 km	15 km
Apr 29, 2003	7 km E of Fort Payne, Alabama	M3.1	126 km	3 km
Jun 23, 1990	8 km N of Belk, Alabama	M3.1	149 km	6 km
Sep 13, 2011	1 km NNW of Leeds, Alabama	M3.0	140 km	19 km
May 4, 1994	2 km NNW of Addison, Alabama	M3.0	66 km	19 km
May 4, 1994	12 km NNW of Addison, Alabama	M3.0	60 km	5 km
May 4, 2007	4 km SSW of Jasper, Alabama	M3.0	114 km	5 km
May 28, 2000	3 km NE of Fayette, Alabama	M3.0	143 km	0 km
May 28, 2000	13 km S of Winfield, Alabama	M3.0	134 km	5 km
Jan 5, 2012	11 km NW of Oakman, Alabama	M2.9	121 km	8 km
Jan 2, 2000	4 km SW of Lester, Alabama	M2.9	29 km	13 km
Sep 19, 1990	6 km NNW of Menlo, Georgia	M2.9	136 km	6 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

710 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 194 fatalities, 2,663 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Apr 27, 2011	EF5	99 km	36.6 mi	25
Apr 3, 1974	EF5	13 km	83.3 mi	16
Apr 3, 1974	EF5	59 km	52.0 mi	28
Apr 27, 2011	EF4	95 km	30.2 mi	1
Apr 27, 2011	EF4	90 km	47.0 mi	14
Apr 27, 2011	EF4	78 km	46.9 mi	6
Feb 6, 2008	EF4	52 km	16.7 mi	4
May 18, 1995	EF4	54 km	29.0 mi	3
May 18, 1995	EF4	9 km	39.0 mi	1
Nov 15, 1989	EF4	31 km	18.5 mi	21
Apr 3, 1974	EF4	48 km	27.5 mi	11
Mar 11, 1963	EF4	98 km	28.0 mi	2
Nov 18, 1957	EF4	97 km	26.1 mi	3
Nov 17, 1957	EF4	100 km	7.2 mi	4
Apr 24, 1955	EF4	49 km	8.6 mi	5
Mar 22, 1952	EF4	20 km	21.6 mi	4
Feb 29, 1952	EF4	53 km	2.0 mi	2
Feb 13, 1952	EF4	76 km	12.7 mi	3
May 8, 2024	EF3	93 km	11.5 mi	1
May 8, 2024	EF3	25 km	3.8 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (3,112 acres, 2014).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2014	UNNAMED	3,112	69 km
2020	BK OWL CREEK	2,838	58 km
2014	UNNAMED	2,822	61 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,764	72 km
2019	UNNAMED	2,710	64 km
2011	GREEN TOWER	2,653	56 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,602	66 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,442	66 km
2015	BIG TREE	2,288	66 km
2018	UNNAMED	2,264	56 km
2010	BALLS MT.	2,229	73 km
2015	UNNAMED	2,160	67 km
2014	UNNAMED	2,143	73 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,114	65 km
2021	BK LEOLA/WARREN	2,007	55 km
2024	BNK MILL CREEK RX	1,959	72 km
2010	STINSON GAP	1,922	56 km
2013	UNNAMED	1,845	58 km
2018	UNNAMED	1,826	58 km
2019	UNNAMED	1,819	64 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	42°F (6°C)	5.1 in	Coldest
February	43°F (6°C)	4.7 in
March	51°F (11°C)	6.6 in	Wettest
April	60°F (15°C)	4.9 in
May	68°F (20°C)	5.1 in
June	75°F (24°C)	4.2 in
July	81°F (27°C)	4.8 in	Warmest
August	78°F (25°C)	3.4 in	Driest
September	72°F (22°C)	4.1 in
October	60°F (16°C)	3.5 in
November	50°F (10°C)	4.8 in
December	43°F (6°C)	5.9 in

Athens has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 42°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 57.0 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.6") and August the driest (3.4").

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