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Weather & Climate in Cantril, IA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Cantril experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 76°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 39.1 inches. The area receives 24.2 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 757 feet.
Temperature
23°F Jan (-5°C)
76°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 51.2°F |
| 5% below US avg | |
| January Average | 23°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 275 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 757 ft (231 m) |
| Area | 0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 590/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.6429°N, 92.0684°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Scotland County County |
| Nearest Airport | Ottumwa Regional (OTM) 38 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 33.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 98.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 23.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1 earthquake (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M2.9.
| Feb 8, 2004 | 6 km SSW of Stoutsville, Missouri | M2.9 | 129 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
392 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 13 fatalities, 225 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF4 | 74 km | 19.9 mi | 0 |
| May 13, 1995 | EF4 | 64 km | 50.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 20, 1973 | EF4 | 87 km | 3.8 mi | 1 |
| Jan 24, 1967 | EF4 | 48 km | 25.7 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1959 | EF4 | 91 km | 17.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF3 | 52 km | 26.1 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 2019 | EF3 | 7 km | 7.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1999 | EF3 | 32 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1999 | EF3 | 62 km | 7.5 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 1998 | EF3 | 76 km | 47.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 1974 | EF3 | 84 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 1974 | EF3 | 65 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| May 1, 1973 | EF3 | 38 km | 3.6 mi | 2 |
| Apr 20, 1973 | EF3 | 24 km | 9.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1967 | EF3 | 41 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 1967 | EF3 | 7 km | 19.4 mi | 2 |
| Jan 24, 1967 | EF3 | 25 km | 25.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 24, 1967 | EF3 | 63 km | 4.3 mi | 1 |
| Sep 20, 1965 | EF3 | 77 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 25, 1965 | EF3 | 70 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
5 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNIT 3 (1,206 acres, 1999).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1999 | UNIT 3 | 1,206 | 98 km |
| 2002 | HSB 03 2 | 1,130 | 97 km |
| 2000 | DESTRUST A | 756 | 98 km |
| 2006 | HSB 003 | 674 | 97 km |
| 2004 | HSB 009 | 608 | 97 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23°F (-5°C) | 1.3 in | Coldest |
| February | 28°F (-2°C) | 1.1 in | Driest |
| March | 40°F (4°C) | 2.6 in | |
| April | 52°F (11°C) | 3.7 in | |
| May | 62°F (17°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 71°F (22°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 76°F (24°C) | 4.6 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 4.0 in | |
| September | 66°F (19°C) | 4.6 in | |
| October | 55°F (13°C) | 3.1 in | |
| November | 41°F (5°C) | 2.3 in | |
| December | 28°F (-2°C) | 1.8 in |
Cantril has a seasonal temperature swing of 53°F / from 23°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 37.0 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.6") and February the driest (1.1").