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Weather & Climate in Athens-Clarke County, GA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Athens-Clarke County enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 49°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. The area gets 292 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 47.7 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 44. The city sits at an elevation of 663 feet.
Temperature
49°F Jan (9°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 62.8°F |
| 16% above US avg | |
| January Average | 49°F (9°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 292 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 663 ft (202 m) |
| Area | 118.2 sq mi (306.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,091/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 33.9496°N, 83.3701°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Clarke County County |
| Nearest Airport | Baldwin County Regional (MLJ) 53 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 44.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 67.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 25.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 45.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
34 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.1.
| Feb 15, 2014 | 12 km ENE of Parksville, South Carolina | M4.1 | 119 km | 5 km |
| Jan 18, 2000 | 11 km SSE of Gray, Georgia | M3.5 | 115 km | 19 km |
| Mar 18, 2003 | 11 km S of Rayle, Georgia | M3.5 | 53 km | 5 km |
| Jan 3, 1992 | 4 km ENE of Willington, South Carolina | M3.4 | 88 km | 3 km |
| Aug 1, 2009 | 8 km ENE of Ducktown, Tennessee | M3.2 | 150 km | 5 km |
| Jun 20, 2017 | 6 km SW of Augusta, Georgia | M3.2 | 138 km | 13 km |
| Dec 7, 2009 | 4 km WNW of Deepstep, Georgia | M3.2 | 108 km | 7 km |
| Apr 4, 2009 | 15 km N of Milledgeville, Georgia | M3.1 | 83 km | 0 km |
| Aug 23, 2025 | 3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina | M3.0 | 123 km | 2 km |
| Feb 16, 2014 | 13 km WNW of Edgefield, South Carolina | M3.0 | 121 km | 7 km |
| Aug 23, 2025 | 3 km NNW of Coronaca, South Carolina | M2.9 | 122 km | 7 km |
| Apr 26, 2013 | 9 km E of Lincolnton, Georgia | M2.8 | 94 km | 12 km |
| Sep 18, 1996 | 6 km E of Clarks Hill, South Carolina | M2.8 | 121 km | 14 km |
| Apr 6, 2017 | 6 km WSW of Sparta, Georgia | M2.7 | 83 km | 11 km |
| Jul 4, 2012 | 11 km NNE of Deepstep, Georgia | M2.7 | 101 km | 10 km |
| Apr 23, 1993 | 14 km E of Mount Zion, Georgia | M2.7 | 80 km | 0 km |
| Jan 7, 1992 | 5 km NNW of Edgefield, South Carolina | M2.7 | 132 km | 3 km |
| Sep 2, 2001 | 10 km SW of Plum Branch, South Carolina | M2.7 | 95 km | 21 km |
| Jul 5, 2025 | 11 km ENE of Parksville, South Carolina | M2.7 | 118 km | 4 km |
| Mar 26, 2019 | 10 km W of Forest Hills, North Carolina | M2.6 | 148 km | 1 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
4 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2024 | Helene | Category 1 | 92 mph | 295 km |
| 2018 | Michael | Category 1 | 92 mph | 212 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 2 | 98 mph | 225 km |
| 1985 | Kate | Category 1 | 75 mph | 273 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
375 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 50 fatalities, 797 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Nov 22, 1992 | EF4 | 86 km | 32.0 mi | 5 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 100 km | 17.7 mi | 6 |
| Mar 31, 1973 | EF4 | 75 km | 22.6 mi | 7 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF3 | 79 km | 16.7 mi | 1 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 95 km | 37.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 10, 2009 | EF3 | 84 km | 6.8 mi | 0 |
| Feb 18, 2009 | EF3 | 56 km | 19.7 mi | 0 |
| Feb 18, 2009 | EF3 | 89 km | 10.4 mi | 1 |
| Mar 20, 1998 | EF3 | 68 km | 4.0 mi | 12 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF3 | 92 km | 23.0 mi | 3 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF3 | 99 km | 44.0 mi | 3 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF3 | 84 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 22, 1992 | EF3 | 86 km | 10.0 mi | 1 |
| Nov 22, 1992 | EF3 | 88 km | 67.0 mi | 1 |
| Nov 15, 1989 | EF3 | 78 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1974 | EF3 | 77 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 13, 1973 | EF3 | 60 km | 9.5 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 1973 | EF3 | 26 km | 18.7 mi | 1 |
| Apr 2, 1970 | EF3 | 81 km | 6.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 21, 1962 | EF3 | 100 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (5,084 acres, 2015).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 5,084 | 23 km |
| 2010 | COMPT 163 | 4,755 | 67 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 3,808 | 94 km |
| 2007 | 14A-14B-15A-16E-17E | 3,397 | 98 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 3,165 | 84 km |
| 2006 | 10 A 11 E 11 W RX BURN | 2,969 | 95 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 2,753 | 88 km |
| 1988 | COMP 10 | 2,588 | 95 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 2,574 | 85 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 2,433 | 92 km |
| 2020 | CHAMBERS-GRAPE-HICKORY AP | 2,421 | 97 km |
| 2010 | COMPT 120 | 2,412 | 90 km |
| 1999 | COMP 1312 | 2,401 | 95 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 2,294 | 92 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 2,286 | 36 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 2,201 | 64 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 2,143 | 87 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 2,101 | 85 km |
| 2023 | TRAIL RIDGE FY23 | 2,085 | 99 km |
| 2020 | C-249 LC | 2,084 | 81 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 49°F (9°C) | 4.9 in | |
| February | 46°F (8°C) | 4.5 in | |
| March | 54°F (12°C) | 5.5 in | Wettest |
| April | 61°F (16°C) | 4.0 in | |
| May | 69°F (21°C) | 4.2 in | |
| June | 76°F (24°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 4.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 78°F (26°C) | 3.7 in | |
| September | 73°F (23°C) | 3.3 in | Driest |
| October | 62°F (17°C) | 3.3 in | |
| November | 53°F (12°C) | 3.6 in | |
| December | 45°F (7°C) | 4.1 in | Coldest |
Athens-Clarke County has a seasonal temperature swing of 35°F / from 45°F in December to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 49.7 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.5") and September the driest (3.3").