Weather & Climate in Brilliant, AL

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

Brilliant enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 80°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 61.7 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.3 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 640 feet.

Temperature

40°F Jan (5°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)

Annual Average	60.7°F
	12% above US avg
January Average	40°F (5°C)
July Average	80°F (27°C)
Sunny Days	302 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	640 ft (195 m)
Area	10.7 sq mi (27.7 km²)
Population Density	102/sq mi
Coordinates	34.0257°N, 87.7690°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Marion County County
Nearest Airport	Northwest Alabama Regional (MSL) 51 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 61.7"

62% above US avg

Snowfall 1.3"

Wettest Month (Mar) 6.61"

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

67 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.6.

Aug 19, 2004	8 km W of Brantleyville, Alabama	M3.6	118 km	5 km
Jun 30, 2015	12 km W of Union, Alabama	M3.5	118 km	0 km
May 28, 1995	14 km WSW of Coker, Alabama	M3.4	93 km	1 km
Apr 21, 2009	12 km S of Centreville, Alabama	M3.4	147 km	13 km
Jul 15, 1995	21 km SSW of Berry, Alabama	M3.3	62 km	1 km
May 9, 2004	8 km WNW of Brantleyville, Alabama	M3.3	116 km	5 km
Sep 2, 1990	12 km NW of Fayette, Alabama	M3.2	33 km	1 km
Jun 23, 1990	12 km E of Vernon, Alabama	M3.2	35 km	1 km
Mar 12, 2015	14 km W of Union, Alabama	M3.1	121 km	0 km
Jun 23, 1990	8 km N of Belk, Alabama	M3.1	38 km	6 km
May 10, 2008	1 km SSE of Sherman, Mississippi	M3.1	105 km	0 km
Jun 28, 2008	7 km WNW of Brookwood, Alabama	M3.1	90 km	5 km
Feb 27, 2015	11 km WSW of Union, Alabama	M3.1	120 km	0 km
May 4, 1994	12 km NNW of Addison, Alabama	M3.0	57 km	5 km
May 4, 2007	4 km SSW of Jasper, Alabama	M3.0	50 km	5 km
Mar 20, 2004	11 km NW of Wilton, Alabama	M3.0	123 km	0 km
May 4, 1994	2 km NNW of Addison, Alabama	M3.0	57 km	19 km
Sep 11, 1992	5 km SSE of Riverview, Alabama	M3.0	98 km	7 km
May 28, 2000	13 km S of Winfield, Alabama	M3.0	24 km	5 km
May 28, 2000	3 km NE of Fayette, Alabama	M3.0	36 km	0 km

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

Hurricane History

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

Year	Name	Category	Max Wind	Closest
2005	Katrina	Category 1	—	281 km
2004	Ivan	Category 1	81 mph	292 km
1995	Opal	Category 1	—	245 km

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

Tornado History

710 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 340 fatalities, 3,090 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Apr 27, 2011	EF5	62 km	37.1 mi	23
Apr 27, 2011	EF5	36 km	132.0 mi	72
Apr 8, 1998	EF5	78 km	30.3 mi	32
Apr 4, 1977	EF5	96 km	14.7 mi	22
Apr 3, 1974	EF5	100 km	83.3 mi	16
Apr 3, 1974	EF5	56 km	52.0 mi	28
Apr 3, 1974	EF5	40 km	79.5 mi	28
Apr 27, 2011	EF4	70 km	46.9 mi	6
Apr 27, 2011	EF4	94 km	127.8 mi	13
Feb 6, 2008	EF4	61 km	16.7 mi	4
Apr 3, 1974	EF4	93 km	110.6 mi	3
Mar 6, 1967	EF4	66 km	20.9 mi	2
Apr 29, 1963	EF4	88 km	4.7 mi	3
Mar 11, 1963	EF4	81 km	28.0 mi	2
Nov 17, 1957	EF4	56 km	7.2 mi	4
Apr 15, 1956	EF4	94 km	21.3 mi	25
Apr 24, 1955	EF4	75 km	8.6 mi	5
Mar 22, 1952	EF4	95 km	21.6 mi	4
May 8, 2024	EF3	94 km	3.8 mi	0
Mar 24, 2023	EF3	93 km	36.6 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	44 km
2000	UNNAMED	2,893	78 km
2020	BK OWL CREEK	2,838	57 km
2014	UNNAMED	2,822	55 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,764	46 km
2019	UNNAMED	2,710	56 km
2011	GREEN TOWER	2,653	63 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,602	55 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,442	48 km
1994	UNNAMED	2,394	86 km
2015	BIG TREE	2,288	46 km
2018	UNNAMED	2,264	58 km
2010	BALLS MT.	2,229	39 km
2011	MUD CREEK FIRE	2,224	92 km
2015	UNNAMED	2,160	54 km
2014	UNNAMED	2,143	39 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,114	55 km
2021	BK LEOLA/WARREN	2,007	59 km
2024	BNK MILL CREEK RX	1,959	46 km
2010	STINSON GAP	1,922	58 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	40°F (5°C)	5.5 in	Coldest
February	44°F (7°C)	5.2 in
March	52°F (11°C)	6.6 in	Wettest
April	60°F (15°C)	5.5 in
May	67°F (20°C)	5.5 in
June	75°F (24°C)	4.1 in
July	80°F (27°C)	4.8 in	Warmest
August	78°F (25°C)	3.7 in
September	72°F (22°C)	4.2 in
October	60°F (16°C)	3.4 in	Driest
November	51°F (10°C)	4.9 in
December	43°F (6°C)	6.2 in

Brilliant has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 40°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 59.6 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.6") and October the driest (3.4").

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