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Weather & Climate in Columbia, AL
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Columbia enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 67°F (19°C). Winters average 49°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. The area gets 306 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 56.7 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 212 feet.
Temperature
49°F Jan (10°C)
82°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 66.9°F |
| 24% above US avg | |
| January Average | 49°F (10°C) |
| July Average | 82°F (28°C) |
| Sunny Days | 306 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 212 ft (65 m) |
| Area | 4.0 sq mi (10.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 196/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 31.2954°N, 85.1102°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Houston County County |
| Nearest Airport | Dothan Regional (DHN) 20 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 87.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 72.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 76.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Hurricane History
14 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 5.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2024 | Helene | Category 4 | 138 mph | 163 km |
| 2024 | Debby | Category 1 | 81 mph | 226 km |
| 2023 | Idalia | Category 4 | 132 mph | 211 km |
| 2020 | Sally | Category 2 | 109 mph | 225 km |
| 2018 | Michael | Category 5 | 161 mph | 39 km |
| 2016 | Hermine | Category 1 | 81 mph | 153 km |
| 2005 | Dennis | Category 4 | 127 mph | 215 km |
| 2004 | Ivan | Category 3 | 127 mph | 246 km |
| 1998 | Earl | Category 2 | 98 mph | 144 km |
| 1997 | Danny | Category 1 | 81 mph | 284 km |
| 1995 | Opal | Category 3 | 127 mph | 159 km |
| 1995 | Erin | Category 2 | 98 mph | 217 km |
| 1985 | Elena | Category 3 | 127 mph | 224 km |
| 1985 | Kate | Category 2 | 98 mph | 87 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
575 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 74 fatalities, 1,177 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 1, 2007 | EF4 | 77 km | 10.3 mi | 9 |
| Mar 31, 2022 | EF3 | 83 km | 12.1 mi | 2 |
| Jan 22, 2017 | EF3 | 74 km | 70.4 mi | 5 |
| Mar 1, 2007 | EF3 | 87 km | 43.2 mi | 2 |
| Mar 22, 2005 | EF3 | 33 km | 18.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 20, 2003 | EF3 | 81 km | 25.0 mi | 6 |
| Feb 13, 2000 | EF3 | 92 km | 15.0 mi | 7 |
| Feb 13, 2000 | EF3 | 81 km | 9.2 mi | 11 |
| Nov 25, 1986 | EF3 | 78 km | 44.0 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 1983 | EF3 | 78 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 19, 1974 | EF3 | 87 km | 11.3 mi | 0 |
| Dec 30, 1973 | EF3 | 54 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 29, 1973 | EF3 | 75 km | 11.6 mi | 0 |
| Dec 29, 1973 | EF3 | 24 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 13, 1972 | EF3 | 44 km | 16.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 23, 1971 | EF3 | 70 km | 13.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 3, 1971 | EF3 | 82 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 2, 1971 | EF3 | 92 km | 23.8 mi | 0 |
| Dec 28, 1968 | EF3 | 76 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 2024 | EF2 | 94 km | 24.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (6,753 acres, 2006).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 6,753 | 91 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 5,600 | 91 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 5,442 | 98 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 3,750 | 56 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 3,733 | 97 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 3,508 | 56 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 3,424 | 56 km |
| 1997 | UNNAMED | 3,423 | 56 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 3,305 | 98 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 3,062 | 55 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 2,927 | 54 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 2,718 | 98 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 2,657 | 55 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 2,599 | 76 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 2,478 | 55 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 2,442 | 58 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 2,417 | 55 km |
| 1997 | UNNAMED | 2,253 | 68 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 2,233 | 54 km |
| 2011 | UNNAMED | 2,154 | 44 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 49°F (10°C) | 5.8 in | Coldest, Wettest |
| February | 52°F (11°C) | 5.4 in | |
| March | 59°F (15°C) | 5.8 in | |
| April | 65°F (18°C) | 3.9 in | |
| May | 73°F (23°C) | 4.0 in | |
| June | 79°F (26°C) | 4.9 in | |
| July | 82°F (28°C) | 5.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 80°F (27°C) | 4.7 in | |
| September | 77°F (25°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 67°F (20°C) | 2.7 in | Driest |
| November | 59°F (15°C) | 3.5 in | |
| December | 52°F (11°C) | 4.8 in |
Columbia has a seasonal temperature swing of 33°F / from 49°F in January to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 54.7 inches, with January being the wettest month (5.8") and October the driest (2.7").