Weather & Climate in Bear Creek, AL

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

Bear Creek enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (16°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. The area gets 302 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 66.1 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 830 feet.

Temperature

42°F Jan (6°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	61.6°F
	14% above US avg
January Average	42°F (6°C)
July Average	79°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	302 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	830 ft (253 m)
Area	13.8 sq mi (35.6 km²)
Population Density	97/sq mi
Coordinates	34.2555°N, 87.7134°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Marion County County
Nearest Airport	Northwest Alabama Regional (MSL) 34 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 66.1"

74% above US avg

Snowfall 0.9"

Wettest Month (Mar) 6.57"

Driest Month (Oct) 3.43"

Air Quality

AQI Median	41.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	69.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	95.1 / 100
Community Resilience	9.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

66 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.9.

Dec 8, 2001	5 km SW of Pleasant Groves, Alabama	M3.9	145 km	0 km
Aug 19, 2004	8 km W of Brantleyville, Alabama	M3.6	136 km	5 km
Jun 30, 2015	12 km W of Union, Alabama	M3.5	144 km	0 km
May 28, 1995	14 km WSW of Coker, Alabama	M3.4	119 km	1 km
Jul 15, 1995	21 km SSW of Berry, Alabama	M3.3	87 km	1 km
May 9, 2004	8 km WNW of Brantleyville, Alabama	M3.3	134 km	5 km
Sep 2, 1990	12 km NW of Fayette, Alabama	M3.2	59 km	1 km
Jun 23, 1990	12 km E of Vernon, Alabama	M3.2	60 km	1 km
Mar 12, 2015	14 km W of Union, Alabama	M3.1	147 km	0 km
Jun 23, 1990	8 km N of Belk, Alabama	M3.1	63 km	6 km
May 10, 2008	1 km SSE of Sherman, Mississippi	M3.1	104 km	0 km
Jun 28, 2008	7 km WNW of Brookwood, Alabama	M3.1	113 km	5 km
Feb 27, 2015	11 km WSW of Union, Alabama	M3.1	146 km	0 km
May 4, 1994	12 km NNW of Addison, Alabama	M3.0	43 km	5 km
May 4, 2007	4 km SSW of Jasper, Alabama	M3.0	64 km	5 km
Sep 13, 2011	1 km NNW of Leeds, Alabama	M3.0	132 km	19 km
May 4, 1994	2 km NNW of Addison, Alabama	M3.0	48 km	19 km
Sep 11, 1992	5 km SSE of Riverview, Alabama	M3.0	122 km	7 km
May 28, 2000	13 km S of Winfield, Alabama	M3.0	51 km	5 km
May 28, 2000	3 km NE of Fayette, Alabama	M3.0	62 km	0 km

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

Hurricane History

1 hurricane (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 1.

Year	Name	Category	Max Wind	Closest
1995	Opal	Category 1	—	265 km

Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

687 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 274 fatalities, 2,414 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Apr 27, 2011	EF5	43 km	132.0 mi	72
Apr 27, 2011	EF5	71 km	37.1 mi	23
Apr 8, 1998	EF5	99 km	30.3 mi	32
Apr 3, 1974	EF5	32 km	52.0 mi	28
Apr 3, 1974	EF5	61 km	79.5 mi	28
Apr 3, 1974	EF5	78 km	83.3 mi	16
Apr 27, 2011	EF4	68 km	46.9 mi	6
Feb 6, 2008	EF4	42 km	16.7 mi	4
May 18, 1995	EF4	86 km	29.0 mi	3
May 18, 1995	EF4	89 km	39.0 mi	1
Mar 6, 1967	EF4	80 km	20.9 mi	2
Apr 29, 1963	EF4	94 km	4.7 mi	3
Mar 11, 1963	EF4	85 km	28.0 mi	2
Nov 17, 1957	EF4	63 km	7.2 mi	4
Apr 24, 1955	EF4	62 km	8.6 mi	5
Mar 22, 1952	EF4	76 km	21.6 mi	4
May 8, 2024	EF3	70 km	3.8 mi	0
Nov 29, 2016	EF3	61 km	6.2 mi	0
Apr 28, 2014	EF3	90 km	8.9 mi	0
Apr 28, 2014	EF3	73 km	15.6 mi	2

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	29 km
2000	UNNAMED	2,893	99 km
2020	BK OWL CREEK	2,838	42 km
2014	UNNAMED	2,822	41 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,764	36 km
2019	UNNAMED	2,710	46 km
2011	GREEN TOWER	2,653	49 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,602	46 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,442	33 km
1994	UNNAMED	2,394	96 km
2015	BIG TREE	2,288	28 km
2018	UNNAMED	2,264	40 km
2010	BALLS MT.	2,229	23 km
2015	UNNAMED	2,160	44 km
2014	UNNAMED	2,143	23 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,114	45 km
2021	BK LEOLA/WARREN	2,007	42 km
2024	BNK MILL CREEK RX	1,959	36 km
2010	STINSON GAP	1,922	40 km
2013	UNNAMED	1,845	38 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	42°F (6°C)	5.4 in	Coldest
February	43°F (6°C)	5.1 in
March	51°F (11°C)	6.6 in	Wettest
April	59°F (15°C)	5.5 in
May	67°F (19°C)	5.6 in
June	74°F (23°C)	4.1 in
July	79°F (26°C)	4.7 in	Warmest
August	77°F (25°C)	3.7 in
September	71°F (22°C)	4.3 in
October	60°F (16°C)	3.4 in	Driest
November	50°F (10°C)	5.0 in
December	43°F (6°C)	6.2 in

Bear Creek has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 42°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 59.4 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.6") and October the driest (3.4").

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