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Weather & Climate in Colfax, IA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Colfax experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°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 36.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 836 feet.
Temperature
21°F Jan (-6°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 49.5°F |
| 8% below US avg | |
| January Average | 21°F (-6°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 275 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 836 ft (255 m) |
| Area | 1.8 sq mi (4.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 816/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.6798°N, 93.2363°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Jasper County County |
| Nearest Airport | Des Moines International (DSM) 27 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 43.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 21.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 89.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Tornado History
693 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 21 fatalities, 373 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 13, 1976 | EF5 | 59 km | 21.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 5, 2022 | EF4 | 95 km | 70.6 mi | 6 |
| May 30, 1989 | EF4 | 67 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1989 | EF4 | 78 km | 66.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 28, 1986 | EF4 | 31 km | 20.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 12, 1974 | EF4 | 88 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1974 | EF4 | 32 km | 15.3 mi | 2 |
| May 10, 1953 | EF4 | 90 km | 6.4 mi | 0 |
| Mar 5, 2022 | EF3 | 83 km | 11.3 mi | 1 |
| Aug 20, 2019 | EF3 | 53 km | 5.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 19, 2018 | EF3 | 48 km | 8.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 19, 2018 | EF3 | 35 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 2015 | EF3 | 58 km | 11.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 12, 2005 | EF3 | 89 km | 17.6 mi | 1 |
| Apr 8, 1999 | EF3 | 72 km | 39.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 22, 1991 | EF3 | 41 km | 43.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF3 | 40 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 16, 1978 | EF3 | 33 km | 31.8 mi | 6 |
| May 4, 1977 | EF3 | 66 km | 17.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1976 | EF3 | 60 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
5 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: NEAL SMITH WUI 2016 1 (1,050 acres, 2016).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2016 | NEAL SMITH WUI 2016 1 | 1,050 | 12 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 939 | 84 km |
| 2010 | FOLEY | 786 | 86 km |
| 2011 | ACE AUTO | 676 | 95 km |
| 2011 | IRCP WUI ROFAE #2 FY11 | 510 | 79 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21°F (-6°C) | 1.0 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.2 in | |
| March | 37°F (3°C) | 2.4 in | |
| April | 50°F (10°C) | 3.4 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 4.3 in | |
| June | 71°F (21°C) | 4.7 in | Wettest |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 4.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 4.0 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 3.6 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 2.6 in | |
| November | 37°F (3°C) | 2.0 in | |
| December | 24°F (-5°C) | 1.3 in |
Colfax has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 21°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 34.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.7") and January the driest (1.0").