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Weather & Climate in Benton, AL
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Benton enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. The area gets 304 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 53.5 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 134 feet.
Temperature
46°F Jan (8°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 64.2°F |
| 19% above US avg | |
| January Average | 46°F (8°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 304 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 134 ft (41 m) |
| Area | 0.3 sq mi (0.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 113/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 32.3079°N, 86.8175°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Lowndes County County |
| Nearest Airport | Montgomery Regional (Dannelly Field) (MGM) 25 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 29.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 99.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 26.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
54 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.8.
| Oct 24, 1997 | 15 km NNW of Flomaton, Alabama | M4.8 | 141 km | 10 km |
| Oct 26, 1997 | 11 km NNW of Flomaton, Alabama | M3.7 | 142 km | 10 km |
| Aug 19, 2004 | 8 km W of Brantleyville, Alabama | M3.6 | 101 km | 5 km |
| Jun 30, 2015 | 12 km W of Union, Alabama | M3.5 | 138 km | 0 km |
| May 28, 1995 | 14 km WSW of Coker, Alabama | M3.4 | 136 km | 1 km |
| Jun 24, 1998 | 11 km W of Demopolis, Alabama | M3.4 | 109 km | 5 km |
| Apr 21, 2009 | 12 km S of Centreville, Alabama | M3.4 | 64 km | 13 km |
| May 9, 2004 | 8 km WNW of Brantleyville, Alabama | M3.3 | 104 km | 5 km |
| Sep 30, 2003 | 10 km NNW of Atmore, Alabama | M3.3 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Mar 22, 2005 | 9 km NNE of Coffeeville, Alabama | M3.3 | 128 km | 5 km |
| May 16, 2008 | 10 km W of Coffeeville, Alabama | M3.1 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Mar 11, 2019 | 4 km N of Flomaton, Alabama | M3.1 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Jun 28, 2008 | 7 km WNW of Brookwood, Alabama | M3.1 | 121 km | 5 km |
| Mar 12, 2015 | 14 km W of Union, Alabama | M3.1 | 138 km | 0 km |
| Apr 11, 2019 | 6 km NNW of Pollard, Alabama | M3.1 | 141 km | 10 km |
| Feb 27, 2015 | 11 km WSW of Union, Alabama | M3.1 | 136 km | 0 km |
| Oct 28, 1997 | 11 km NNW of Flomaton, Alabama | M3.0 | 142 km | 10 km |
| Sep 11, 1992 | 5 km SSE of Riverview, Alabama | M3.0 | 115 km | 7 km |
| Mar 20, 2004 | 11 km NW of Wilton, Alabama | M3.0 | 94 km | 0 km |
| May 21, 2002 | 7 km ESE of York, Alabama | M3.0 | 133 km | 27 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
14 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 5.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2020 | Sally | Category 2 | 109 mph | 177 km |
| 2020 | Zeta | Category 2 | 98 mph | 221 km |
| 2018 | Michael | Category 5 | 161 mph | 233 km |
| 2017 | Nate | Category 1 | 75 mph | 297 km |
| 2005 | Dennis | Category 3 | 127 mph | 174 km |
| 2005 | Katrina | Category 3 | 121 mph | 247 km |
| 2004 | Ivan | Category 3 | 121 mph | 131 km |
| 1998 | Georges | Category 2 | 104 mph | 274 km |
| 1998 | Earl | Category 1 | 81 mph | 268 km |
| 1997 | Danny | Category 1 | 81 mph | 236 km |
| 1995 | Opal | Category 3 | 115 mph | 38 km |
| 1995 | Erin | Category 2 | 98 mph | 201 km |
| 1985 | Elena | Category 3 | 121 mph | 294 km |
| 1985 | Kate | Category 2 | 98 mph | 284 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
507 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 45 fatalities, 697 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 68 km | 44.2 mi | 7 |
| Mar 1, 2007 | EF4 | 60 km | 18.3 mi | 1 |
| May 27, 1973 | EF4 | 96 km | 139.1 mi | 7 |
| Apr 18, 1969 | EF4 | 56 km | 52.4 mi | 2 |
| Jan 12, 2023 | EF3 | 25 km | 82.3 mi | 7 |
| Mar 30, 2022 | EF3 | 57 km | 29.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 25, 2021 | EF3 | 96 km | 79.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 25, 2021 | EF3 | 96 km | 50.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 25, 2021 | EF3 | 100 km | 11.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 2011 | EF3 | 38 km | 9.3 mi | 3 |
| Feb 17, 2008 | EF3 | 33 km | 14.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 18, 1996 | EF3 | 84 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 6, 1996 | EF3 | 41 km | 19.0 mi | 4 |
| Mar 10, 1992 | EF3 | 99 km | 18.0 mi | 2 |
| May 3, 1984 | EF3 | 40 km | 7.0 mi | 5 |
| Dec 6, 1983 | EF3 | 26 km | 13.0 mi | 1 |
| Nov 25, 1979 | EF3 | 54 km | 10.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 1976 | EF3 | 32 km | 16.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 1976 | EF3 | 78 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Dec 19, 1974 | EF3 | 90 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: OAK COMPARTMENT 50/51 RX (5,018 acres, 2024).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2024 | OAK COMPARTMENT 50/51 RX | 5,018 | 88 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 4,870 | 50 km |
| 2019 | OK C-49 | 4,745 | 87 km |
| 2022 | OK TORNADO UNIT | 4,504 | 97 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 4,279 | 55 km |
| 2022 | OK COMP 40/53 | 4,093 | 89 km |
| 2020 | OK PAYNE LAKE | 4,078 | 89 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 4,021 | 51 km |
| 2022 | OK C-1/2/3/4 COMBINED | 3,841 | 97 km |
| 2022 | OK COMP 50/51/52 | 3,786 | 85 km |
| 2024 | OAK COMP 16/17/18 RX | 3,579 | 97 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 3,507 | 53 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 3,482 | 50 km |
| 2021 | OK 234 | 3,482 | 88 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 3,414 | 86 km |
| 2022 | OK C-36/38/39 COMBINED | 3,373 | 93 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 3,267 | 87 km |
| 2021 | OK COMP 33 AND 43 | 3,164 | 90 km |
| 2021 | OK COMP 49 | 3,146 | 85 km |
| 2022 | OK COMP 14 | 3,140 | 92 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 46°F (8°C) | 5.2 in | Coldest |
| February | 50°F (10°C) | 5.2 in | |
| March | 58°F (14°C) | 6.6 in | Wettest |
| April | 64°F (18°C) | 4.6 in | |
| May | 72°F (22°C) | 3.9 in | |
| June | 78°F (26°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 4.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 80°F (27°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 76°F (24°C) | 3.9 in | |
| October | 65°F (18°C) | 2.6 in | Driest |
| November | 56°F (13°C) | 4.0 in | |
| December | 49°F (9°C) | 5.0 in |
Benton has a seasonal temperature swing of 35°F / from 46°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 53.8 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.6") and October the driest (2.6").