Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Central enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 69°F (20°C). Winters average 52°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. The area gets 313 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 61.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42. The city sits at an elevation of 62 feet.
Temperature
52°F Jan (11°C)83°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average
68.5°F
27% above US avg
January Average
52°F (11°C)
July Average
83°F (28°C)
Sunny Days
313 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
62 ft (19 m)
Area
24.1 sq mi (62.5 km²)
Population Density
475/sq mi
Coordinates
30.5593°N, 91.0355°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
East Baton Rouge Parish County
Nearest Airport
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY) 61 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall61.9"
63% above US avg
Snowfall0.2"
Wettest Month (Jul)6.06"
Driest Month (Oct)3.82"
Air Quality
AQI Median
42.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively High
Risk Score
98.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability
66.4 / 100
Community Resilience
59.6 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Very High
Hurricane
Very High
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively High
Hail
Relatively High
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave
Relatively High
Winter Weather
Relatively Moderate
Lightning
Very High
Ice Storm
Relatively High
Drought
Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave
Relatively High
Landslide
Very Low
Coastal Flood
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: M3.0.
Aug 2, 2010
16 km ESE of Clinton, Louisiana
M3.0
33 km
0 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
21 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980.
Strongest on record: Category 4.
Year
Name
Category
Max Wind
Closest
2024
Francine
Category 2
104 mph
108 km
2021
Ida
Category 4
150 mph
23 km
2020
Laura
Category 4
150 mph
227 km
2020
Zeta
Category 3
115 mph
116 km
2020
Delta
Category 2
104 mph
186 km
2019
Barry
Category 1
75 mph
155 km
2017
Nate
Category 1
86 mph
191 km
2012
Isaac
Category 1
81 mph
139 km
2008
Gustav
Category 2
109 mph
88 km
2007
Humberto
Category 1
75 mph
248 km
2005
Katrina
Category 4
144 mph
141 km
2005
Rita
Category 3
121 mph
274 km
2005
Cindy
Category 1
75 mph
176 km
2002
Lili
Category 3
121 mph
136 km
1998
Georges
Category 2
109 mph
205 km
1997
Danny
Category 1
81 mph
187 km
1992
Andrew
Category 4
144 mph
64 km
1988
Florence
Category 1
81 mph
211 km
1985
Elena
Category 3
115 mph
119 km
1985
Danny
Category 1
92 mph
172 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
569 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 28 fatalities, 790 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Dec 6, 1983
EF4
74 km
7.0 mi
0
Jan 10, 1975
EF4
84 km
56.5 mi
9
Dec 28, 2024
EF3
93 km
26.0 mi
0
Apr 10, 2021
EF3
89 km
8.7 mi
1
Dec 16, 2019
EF3
72 km
29.3 mi
0
Feb 7, 2017
EF3
14 km
6.4 mi
0
Feb 23, 2016
EF3
63 km
7.8 mi
0
May 26, 2011
EF3
95 km
6.1 mi
0
Aug 25, 1992
EF3
78 km
9.0 mi
2
Oct 14, 1984
EF3
15 km
16.0 mi
0
May 20, 1983
EF3
94 km
2.0 mi
0
Dec 13, 1977
EF3
63 km
20.4 mi
0
Apr 21, 1977
EF3
92 km
3.8 mi
1
Apr 26, 1973
EF3
8 km
0.3 mi
0
Feb 29, 1972
EF3
33 km
1.0 mi
0
Sep 16, 1971
EF3
12 km
7.3 mi
0
Mar 17, 1970
EF3
99 km
1.0 mi
0
Dec 25, 1969
EF3
57 km
13.5 mi
0
Apr 12, 1969
EF3
42 km
10.7 mi
0
Dec 2, 1967
EF3
99 km
11.5 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: UNNAMED (4,768 acres, 2013).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2013
UNNAMED
4,768
85 km
2022
HOMOCHITTO BB51
4,411
94 km
2014
UNNAMED
4,022
77 km
2010
HOMOCHITTO BURN BLOCK 18
3,826
95 km
2010
HOMOCHITTO BURN BLOCK 25
3,676
93 km
2014
UNNAMED
2,666
85 km
2022
HOMOCHITTO BB24
2,458
85 km
2010
HOMOCHITTO BURN BLOCK 48
2,394
85 km
2024
HOMOCHITTO BB28 SUB3 RX
2,279
77 km
2016
UNNAMED
2,229
82 km
2022
HOMOCHITTO BB25
2,183
85 km
2010
HOMOCHITTO BURN BLOCK 21
2,182
92 km
2022
UNNAMED
2,143
95 km
2014
UNNAMED
2,111
90 km
2014
UNNAMED
2,071
89 km
2022
HOMOCHITTO BB 21 AND BBHB
2,021
92 km
2021
HOMOCHITTO BB26
2,008
80 km
2013
UNNAMED
1,995
99 km
2022
HOMOCHITTO BB 46
1,925
96 km
2021
HOMOCHITTO - CPT 42 SUB 4 AND 5
1,908
90 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
52°F (11°C)
5.9 in
Coldest
February
53°F (12°C)
5.4 in
March
60°F (16°C)
5.4 in
April
67°F (19°C)
5.5 in
May
74°F (23°C)
5.3 in
June
80°F (26°C)
5.0 in
July
83°F (28°C)
6.1 in
Warmest, Wettest
August
81°F (27°C)
5.8 in
September
77°F (25°C)
4.9 in
October
67°F (20°C)
3.8 in
Driest
November
59°F (15°C)
4.5 in
December
52°F (11°C)
5.7 in
Central has a seasonal temperature swing of 31°F / from 52°F in January to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 63.2 inches, with July being the wettest month (6.1") and October the driest (3.8").