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Weather & Climate in Baxter, IA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Baxter experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. The area gets 275 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 35.1 inches. The area receives 28.7 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 1,007 feet.
Temperature
19°F Jan (-7°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 48.6°F |
| 10% below US avg | |
| January Average | 19°F (-7°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 275 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,007 ft (307 m) |
| Area | 0.7 sq mi (1.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,925/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.8252°N, 93.1525°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Jasper County County |
| Nearest Airport | Des Moines International (DSM) 36 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 43.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 21.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 89.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Tornado History
718 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 23 fatalities, 489 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 25, 2008 | EF5 | 84 km | 41.0 mi | 9 |
| Jun 13, 1976 | EF5 | 61 km | 21.3 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 1989 | EF4 | 51 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1989 | EF4 | 71 km | 66.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 28, 1986 | EF4 | 38 km | 20.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 12, 1974 | EF4 | 81 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1974 | EF4 | 40 km | 15.3 mi | 2 |
| Aug 26, 1965 | EF4 | 95 km | 4.7 mi | 1 |
| Aug 20, 2019 | EF3 | 70 km | 5.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 19, 2018 | EF3 | 44 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 19, 2018 | EF3 | 31 km | 8.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 2015 | EF3 | 73 km | 11.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 12, 2005 | EF3 | 86 km | 17.6 mi | 1 |
| May 11, 2000 | EF3 | 97 km | 18.6 mi | 1 |
| Apr 8, 1999 | EF3 | 89 km | 39.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 22, 1991 | EF3 | 40 km | 43.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 1990 | EF3 | 90 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF3 | 29 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 16, 1978 | EF3 | 16 km | 31.8 mi | 6 |
| May 4, 1977 | EF3 | 50 km | 17.8 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
5 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: NEAL SMITH WUI 2016 1 (1,050 acres, 2016).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2016 | NEAL SMITH WUI 2016 1 | 1,050 | 29 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 939 | 74 km |
| 2010 | FOLEY | 786 | 77 km |
| 2011 | ACE AUTO | 676 | 87 km |
| 2011 | IRCP WUI ROFAE #2 FY11 | 510 | 69 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19°F (-7°C) | 0.9 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.1 in | |
| March | 37°F (3°C) | 2.3 in | |
| April | 50°F (10°C) | 3.3 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 4.2 in | |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 4.6 in | Wettest |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 4.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 4.0 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 3.8 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 2.7 in | |
| November | 37°F (3°C) | 1.9 in | |
| December | 24°F (-5°C) | 1.3 in |
Baxter has a seasonal temperature swing of 55°F / from 19°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 34.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.6") and January the driest (0.9").