Weather & Climate in Columbia, IL
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Columbia enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 40.8 inches. The area receives 8.8 inches of snow annually. The city sits at an elevation of 464 feet.
Temperature
32°F Jan (0°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 56.5°F |
| 5% above US avg | |
| January Average | 32°F (0°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 464 ft (141 m) |
| Area | 10.6 sq mi (27.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,049/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.4581°N, 90.2160°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | St. Louis city County |
| Nearest Airport | St Louis Lambert International (STL) 22 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 98.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 71.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 61.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very High |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively High |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Very High |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
47 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.9.
| Jun 7, 2011 | 18 km NNW of Potosi, Missouri | M3.9 | 73 km | 21 km |
| Mar 2, 1990 | 9 km NW of Vernon, Illinois | M3.4 | 101 km | 0 km |
| Aug 27, 1993 | 5 km SSE of Olympian Village, Missouri | M3.3 | 45 km | 22 km |
| Oct 24, 1990 | 5 km ENE of Woodlawn, Illinois | M3.2 | 109 km | 1 km |
| Jan 29, 1993 | 7 km WNW of Brownstown, Illinois | M3.2 | 121 km | 5 km |
| Dec 27, 1992 | 2 km E of Pocahontas, Missouri | M3.2 | 119 km | 10 km |
| Apr 6, 1994 | 2 km NE of Tamaroa, Illinois | M3.2 | 94 km | 15 km |
| May 2, 2003 | 10 km ENE of Thompsonville, Illinois | M3.2 | 146 km | 0 km |
| Jul 1, 2017 | 9 km SSE of Mulberry Grove, Illinois | M3.1 | 96 km | 17 km |
| Mar 12, 2002 | 6 km S of Marble Hill, Missouri | M3.1 | 136 km | 10 km |
| Jan 23, 1991 | 3 km WSW of Logan, Illinois | M3.1 | 131 km | 1 km |
| Jun 27, 2005 | 6 km E of Grand Tower, Illinois | M3.0 | 115 km | 10 km |
| Feb 28, 1994 | 5 km NW of Harrison, Illinois | M3.0 | 101 km | 5 km |
| May 18, 2006 | 9 km SSE of De Soto, Missouri | M2.9 | 53 km | 6 km |
| Sep 5, 1995 | 3 km N of Woodlawn, Illinois | M2.9 | 103 km | 4 km |
| Sep 5, 2004 | 3 km WNW of Saint Peter, Illinois | M2.9 | 125 km | 33 km |
| Jul 8, 2003 | 1 km N of Leasburg, Missouri | M2.9 | 102 km | 4 km |
| Apr 29, 2022 | 1 km SSW of Peerless Park, Missouri | M2.8 | 26 km | 8 km |
| Mar 28, 2024 | 1 km NNE of Germantown, Illinois | M2.8 | 61 km | 24 km |
| Sep 13, 1997 | 3 km SSE of Darmstadt, Illinois | M2.8 | 48 km | 16 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
597 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 81 fatalities, 1,218 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Dec 18, 1957 | EF5 | 94 km | 5.4 mi | 1 |
| Feb 28, 2017 | EF4 | 84 km | 53.5 mi | 1 |
| Nov 17, 2013 | EF4 | 67 km | 10.6 mi | 2 |
| Apr 22, 2011 | EF4 | 39 km | 21.3 mi | 0 |
| Sep 22, 2006 | EF4 | 93 km | 27.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1981 | EF4 | 30 km | 11.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1969 | EF4 | 86 km | 15.1 mi | 4 |
| Jun 22, 1969 | EF4 | 96 km | 20.2 mi | 2 |
| Jan 24, 1967 | EF4 | 38 km | 25.0 mi | 3 |
| Feb 10, 1959 | EF4 | 34 km | 23.9 mi | 21 |
| Feb 24, 1956 | EF4 | 61 km | 77.6 mi | 6 |
| Dec 10, 2021 | EF3 | 36 km | 4.2 mi | 6 |
| Dec 10, 2021 | EF3 | 62 km | 24.8 mi | 1 |
| Oct 24, 2021 | EF3 | 85 km | 16.7 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 2013 | EF3 | 53 km | 31.7 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 2013 | EF3 | 39 km | 10.6 mi | 0 |
| Dec 31, 2010 | EF3 | 23 km | 6.7 mi | 1 |
| Mar 11, 2006 | EF3 | 73 km | 53.5 mi | 2 |
| Mar 11, 2006 | EF3 | 39 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1996 | EF3 | 86 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: SMITH MILL HOLLOW (3,978 acres, 2022).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2022 | SMITH MILL HOLLOW | 3,978 | 89 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 2,751 | 100 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 2,688 | 92 km |
| 2004 | CICERO CREEK | 1,846 | 84 km |
| 2021 | BERRYMAN BLOCK B AND C | 1,728 | 94 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 1,552 | 97 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 1,483 | 97 km |
| 2024 | HARMON SPRING RX | 1,330 | 91 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 1,285 | 91 km |
| 2019 | KINKAID RX | 1,215 | 99 km |
| 2022 | KINKAID STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AREA RX | 1,115 | 99 km |
| 2024 | RENAULT | 1,085 | 89 km |
| 2021 | STATE OF ILLINOIS TRACT RX | 1,011 | 89 km |
| 2024 | FLATWOODS RX | 796 | 87 km |
| 2022 | NORTH KOFFER HOLLOW | 783 | 95 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 741 | 77 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 729 | 97 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 724 | 77 km |
| 2020 | UNNAMED | 687 | 97 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 630 | 99 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F (0°C) | 2.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 37°F (3°C) | 2.0 in | Driest |
| March | 46°F (8°C) | 3.3 in | |
| April | 57°F (14°C) | 4.5 in | |
| May | 67°F (19°C) | 4.8 in | Wettest |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 4.4 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 3.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 3.7 in | |
| September | 69°F (21°C) | 3.4 in | |
| October | 58°F (14°C) | 3.1 in | |
| November | 46°F (8°C) | 3.3 in | |
| December | 36°F (2°C) | 2.3 in |
Columbia has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 32°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 40.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.8") and February the driest (2.0").