Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bluffton enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. The area gets 306 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 55.7 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 312 feet.
Temperature
48°F Jan (9°C)81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average
64.7°F
20% above US avg
January Average
48°F (9°C)
July Average
81°F (27°C)
Sunny Days
306 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
312 ft (95 m)
Area
1.6 sq mi (4.2 km²)
Population Density
218/sq mi
Coordinates
31.5198°N, 84.8691°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Clay County County
Nearest Airport
Dothan Regional (DHN) 37 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall55.7"
47% above US avg
Snowfall0.3"
Wettest Month (Mar)5.91"
Driest Month (Oct)2.40"
Air Quality
AQI Median
44.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Very Low
Risk Score
8.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability
99.3 / 100
Community Resilience
7.6 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
Hurricane
Relatively Low
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Very Low
Hail
Very Low
Strong Wind
Very Low
Heat Wave
Very Low
Winter Weather
Very Low
Lightning
Very Low
Ice Storm
Very Low
Drought
Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
Landslide
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Hurricane History
13 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980.
Strongest on record: Category 5.
Year
Name
Category
Max Wind
Closest
2024
Helene
Category 4
138 mph
151 km
2024
Debby
Category 1
81 mph
228 km
2023
Idalia
Category 4
132 mph
209 km
2020
Sally
Category 2
109 mph
254 km
2018
Michael
Category 5
161 mph
35 km
2016
Hermine
Category 1
81 mph
159 km
2005
Dennis
Category 4
127 mph
245 km
2004
Ivan
Category 3
121 mph
269 km
1998
Earl
Category 2
92 mph
177 km
1995
Opal
Category 3
127 mph
167 km
1995
Erin
Category 2
98 mph
250 km
1985
Elena
Category 3
127 mph
256 km
1985
Kate
Category 2
98 mph
92 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
552 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 63 fatalities, 1,154 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Jan 22, 2017
EF3
51 km
70.4 mi
5
Mar 1, 2007
EF3
54 km
43.2 mi
2
Mar 22, 2005
EF3
53 km
18.0 mi
1
Mar 20, 2003
EF3
68 km
25.0 mi
6
Feb 13, 2000
EF3
69 km
9.2 mi
11
Feb 13, 2000
EF3
85 km
15.0 mi
7
Apr 1, 1981
EF3
95 km
0.1 mi
2
Dec 19, 1974
EF3
98 km
11.3 mi
0
Dec 30, 1973
EF3
75 km
1.5 mi
0
Dec 29, 1973
EF3
49 km
15.0 mi
0
Jan 13, 1972
EF3
51 km
16.8 mi
0
Apr 23, 1971
EF3
99 km
13.5 mi
0
Apr 23, 1971
EF3
36 km
13.9 mi
0
Mar 3, 1971
EF3
93 km
2.0 mi
0
Dec 28, 1968
EF3
89 km
0.5 mi
0
Nov 11, 1968
EF3
91 km
2.0 mi
0
Mar 13, 1954
EF3
91 km
7.0 mi
2
Jan 9, 2024
EF2
96 km
16.3 mi
0
Jan 9, 2024
EF2
21 km
21.7 mi
0
Jan 9, 2024
EF2
99 km
34.8 mi
1
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: UNNAMED (13,987 acres, 2006).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2006
UNNAMED
13,987
99 km
2005
UNNAMED
10,827
93 km
2006
UNNAMED
7,788
92 km
2006
UNNAMED
6,753
80 km
2005
UNNAMED
5,854
99 km
2005
UNNAMED
5,600
81 km
2005
UNNAMED
5,442
93 km
2006
UNNAMED
3,750
73 km
2006
UNNAMED
3,733
92 km
2006
UNNAMED
3,694
99 km
2001
UNNAMED
3,508
73 km
2004
UNNAMED
3,429
91 km
2005
UNNAMED
3,424
73 km
1997
UNNAMED
3,423
73 km
2006
UNNAMED
3,305
83 km
2005
UNNAMED
3,210
85 km
2000
UNNAMED
3,062
73 km
2005
UNNAMED
2,992
100 km
1996
UNNAMED
2,927
70 km
2004
UNNAMED
2,754
91 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
48°F (9°C)
5.6 in
Coldest
February
51°F (10°C)
5.3 in
March
58°F (15°C)
5.9 in
Wettest
April
64°F (18°C)
3.9 in
May
72°F (22°C)
3.9 in
June
78°F (26°C)
4.8 in
July
81°F (27°C)
5.8 in
Warmest
August
80°F (27°C)
4.3 in
September
76°F (25°C)
3.2 in
October
67°F (19°C)
2.4 in
Driest
November
58°F (14°C)
3.5 in
December
51°F (10°C)
4.8 in
Bluffton has a seasonal temperature swing of 33°F / from 48°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 53.4 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.9") and October the driest (2.4").