All Countries
Weather & Climate in Cherokee, AL
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Cherokee 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 301 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 58.0 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 522 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 | 301 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 522 ft (159 m) |
| Area | 2.2 sq mi (5.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 477/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.7577°N, 87.9656°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Colbert County County |
| Nearest Airport | Northwest Alabama Regional (MSL) 20 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 80.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 69.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 68.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
38 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.3.
| Jul 15, 1995 | 21 km SSW of Berry, Alabama | M3.3 | 145 km | 1 km |
| Jun 23, 1990 | 12 km E of Vernon, Alabama | M3.2 | 111 km | 1 km |
| Sep 2, 1990 | 12 km NW of Fayette, Alabama | M3.2 | 111 km | 1 km |
| May 10, 2008 | 1 km SSE of Sherman, Mississippi | M3.1 | 92 km | 0 km |
| Jun 23, 1990 | 8 km N of Belk, Alabama | M3.1 | 115 km | 6 km |
| May 4, 2007 | 4 km SSW of Jasper, Alabama | M3.0 | 123 km | 5 km |
| May 4, 1994 | 2 km NNW of Addison, Alabama | M3.0 | 92 km | 19 km |
| May 4, 1994 | 12 km NNW of Addison, Alabama | M3.0 | 83 km | 5 km |
| May 28, 2000 | 3 km NE of Fayette, Alabama | M3.0 | 118 km | 0 km |
| May 28, 2000 | 13 km S of Winfield, Alabama | M3.0 | 106 km | 5 km |
| Jan 5, 2012 | 11 km NW of Oakman, Alabama | M2.9 | 117 km | 8 km |
| Jan 2, 2000 | 4 km SW of Lester, Alabama | M2.9 | 75 km | 10 km |
| Jan 2, 2000 | 4 km SW of Lester, Alabama | M2.9 | 75 km | 13 km |
| Jun 25, 2020 | 4 km NNW of Berry, Alabama | M2.9 | 123 km | 1 km |
| May 13, 1999 | 7 km NW of Elkmont, Alabama | M2.8 | 89 km | 10 km |
| Sep 20, 1990 | 6 km N of Elkmont, Alabama | M2.8 | 95 km | 4 km |
| May 13, 1999 | 11 km S of Pulaski, Tennessee | M2.8 | 93 km | 20 km |
| Jun 7, 2005 | 21 km WNW of Rock Creek, Alabama | M2.8 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Oct 3, 1993 | 3 km SW of Oakman, Alabama | M2.8 | 129 km | 10 km |
| Mar 11, 2006 | 17 km E of Olivet, Tennessee | M2.7 | 49 km | 2 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
556 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 205 fatalities, 1,654 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF5 | 75 km | 132.0 mi | 72 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF5 | 91 km | 37.1 mi | 23 |
| Apr 16, 1998 | EF5 | 52 km | 69.4 mi | 3 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF5 | 84 km | 83.3 mi | 16 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF5 | 55 km | 52.0 mi | 28 |
| Feb 6, 2008 | EF4 | 74 km | 16.7 mi | 4 |
| Feb 5, 2008 | EF4 | 64 km | 16.2 mi | 3 |
| May 5, 1999 | EF4 | 90 km | 6.0 mi | 3 |
| May 18, 1995 | EF4 | 86 km | 39.0 mi | 1 |
| May 18, 1995 | EF4 | 52 km | 29.0 mi | 3 |
| Apr 19, 1970 | EF4 | 95 km | 47.6 mi | 4 |
| Apr 29, 1963 | EF4 | 99 km | 4.7 mi | 3 |
| Apr 24, 1955 | EF4 | 95 km | 8.6 mi | 5 |
| Mar 22, 1952 | EF4 | 90 km | 21.6 mi | 4 |
| May 8, 2024 | EF3 | 68 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF3 | 89 km | 86.0 mi | 9 |
| Nov 29, 2016 | EF3 | 87 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| Dec 23, 2015 | EF3 | 42 km | 48.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2014 | EF3 | 67 km | 15.6 mi | 2 |
| Apr 28, 2014 | EF3 | 98 km | 31.0 mi | 0 |
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 | 75 km |
| 2020 | BK OWL CREEK | 2,838 | 80 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 2,822 | 82 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,764 | 84 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 2,710 | 90 km |
| 2011 | GREEN TOWER | 2,653 | 87 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,602 | 90 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,442 | 76 km |
| 2015 | BIG TREE | 2,288 | 69 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 2,264 | 75 km |
| 2010 | BALLS MT. | 2,229 | 70 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 2,160 | 90 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 2,143 | 70 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,114 | 89 km |
| 2021 | BK LEOLA/WARREN | 2,007 | 76 km |
| 2022 | HOLLY SPRINGS BB10 11 12 14 | 1,977 | 98 km |
| 2024 | BNK MILL CREEK RX | 1,959 | 85 km |
| 2010 | STINSON GAP | 1,922 | 74 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 1,845 | 74 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 1,826 | 74 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40°F (5°C) | 4.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 43°F (6°C) | 4.7 in | |
| March | 52°F (11°C) | 6.3 in | Wettest |
| April | 60°F (15°C) | 5.1 in | |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 5.7 in | |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 4.2 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 4.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 78°F (25°C) | 3.4 in | Driest |
| September | 72°F (22°C) | 4.1 in | |
| October | 60°F (16°C) | 3.4 in | |
| November | 51°F (10°C) | 5.1 in | |
| December | 43°F (6°C) | 5.9 in |
Cherokee has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 40°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 57.1 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.3") and August the driest (3.4").