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 56°F (13°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. The area gets 293 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 43.6 inches. The area receives 9.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 464 feet.

Temperature

32°F Jan (-0°C) 78°F Jul (25°C)

Annual Average	55.7°F
	3% above US avg
January Average	32°F (-0°C)
July Average	78°F (25°C)
Sunny Days	293 days/yr

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

Annual Rainfall 43.6"

15% above US avg

Snowfall 9.2"

Wettest Month (May) 4.06"

Driest Month (Jan) 2.05"

Air Quality

AQI Median	43.0
Rating	Good

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)	2.1 in	Coldest, Driest
February	35°F (1°C)	2.3 in
March	45°F (7°C)	3.7 in
April	56°F (13°C)	3.7 in
May	65°F (18°C)	4.1 in	Wettest
June	74°F (23°C)	3.6 in
July	78°F (25°C)	3.7 in	Warmest
August	76°F (25°C)	3.2 in
September	69°F (21°C)	3.4 in
October	58°F (14°C)	2.8 in
November	45°F (7°C)	3.6 in
December	34°F (1°C)	3.2 in

Columbia has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 32°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 39.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.1") and January the driest (2.1").

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