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Weather & Climate in Columbia, MS
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 313 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 61.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 163 feet.
Temperature
49°F Jan (9°C)
82°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 66.5°F |
| 23% above US avg | |
| January Average | 49°F (9°C) |
| July Average | 82°F (28°C) |
| Sunny Days | 313 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 163 ft (50 m) |
| Area | 6.8 sq mi (17.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 520/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 31.2569°N, 89.8254°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Marion County County |
| Nearest Airport | Hattiesburg/Laurel Regional (PIB) 32 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 60.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 74.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 18.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
8 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.5.
| Mar 25, 1996 | 11 km NNE of Quitman, Mississippi | M3.5 | 146 km | 5 km |
| May 3, 2015 | 7 km SSW of Canton, Mississippi | M3.2 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Jun 29, 2015 | 6 km SSW of Canton, Mississippi | M3.2 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Aug 2, 2010 | 16 km ESE of Clinton, Louisiana | M3.0 | 110 km | 0 km |
| May 3, 2015 | 8 km WSW of Canton, Mississippi | M3.0 | 150 km | 5 km |
| Mar 15, 2025 | 5 km NNE of Magee, Mississippi | M3.0 | 75 km | 10 km |
| Aug 9, 2019 | Mississippi | M2.8 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Aug 17, 2015 | 9 km N of Madison, Mississippi | M2.6 | 146 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
21 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 4.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2024 | Francine | Category 2 | 104 mph | 211 km |
| 2021 | Ida | Category 4 | 150 mph | 118 km |
| 2020 | Zeta | Category 3 | 115 mph | 89 km |
| 2020 | Sally | Category 2 | 109 mph | 228 km |
| 2019 | Barry | Category 1 | 75 mph | 293 km |
| 2017 | Nate | Category 1 | 86 mph | 124 km |
| 2012 | Isaac | Category 1 | 81 mph | 216 km |
| 2008 | Gustav | Category 2 | 109 mph | 221 km |
| 2005 | Katrina | Category 4 | 127 mph | 28 km |
| 2005 | Dennis | Category 3 | 127 mph | 246 km |
| 2005 | Cindy | Category 1 | 75 mph | 230 km |
| 2004 | Ivan | Category 3 | 127 mph | 203 km |
| 2002 | Lili | Category 2 | 92 mph | 275 km |
| 1998 | Georges | Category 2 | 109 mph | 115 km |
| 1997 | Danny | Category 1 | 81 mph | 190 km |
| 1995 | Opal | Category 3 | 127 mph | 279 km |
| 1995 | Erin | Category 2 | 98 mph | 234 km |
| 1992 | Andrew | Category 4 | 138 mph | 198 km |
| 1988 | Florence | Category 1 | 81 mph | 221 km |
| 1985 | Elena | Category 3 | 121 mph | 62 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
845 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 79 fatalities, 1,868 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 19, 2020 | EF4 | 25 km | 53.8 mi | 1 |
| Apr 12, 2020 | EF4 | 33 km | 21.2 mi | 4 |
| Apr 12, 2020 | EF4 | 24 km | 67.4 mi | 7 |
| Feb 10, 2013 | EF4 | 34 km | 21.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 91 km | 122.0 mi | 7 |
| Nov 22, 1992 | EF4 | 72 km | 40.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 21, 1992 | EF4 | 88 km | 128.0 mi | 12 |
| Feb 28, 1987 | EF4 | 61 km | 35.0 mi | 6 |
| Apr 18, 1978 | EF4 | 43 km | 19.1 mi | 4 |
| Mar 29, 1976 | EF4 | 97 km | 126.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 26, 1976 | EF4 | 61 km | 18.5 mi | 0 |
| Jan 10, 1975 | EF4 | 68 km | 56.5 mi | 9 |
| Dec 28, 2024 | EF3 | 99 km | 26.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 2023 | EF3 | 99 km | 6.5 mi | 1 |
| Apr 12, 2020 | EF3 | 30 km | 83.2 mi | 0 |
| Dec 16, 2019 | EF3 | 77 km | 61.2 mi | 0 |
| Dec 16, 2019 | EF3 | 61 km | 18.6 mi | 0 |
| Dec 16, 2019 | EF3 | 28 km | 5.8 mi | 0 |
| Jan 21, 2017 | EF3 | 34 km | 31.1 mi | 4 |
| Dec 23, 2014 | EF3 | 3 km | 12.5 mi | 3 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WHITE DOG (12,306 acres, 2005).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2005 | WHITE DOG | 12,306 | 68 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 10,363 | 100 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 10,170 | 92 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 9,932 | 69 km |
| 2010 | DESOTO 0902 | 8,713 | 98 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 7,059 | 94 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 6,802 | 98 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 6,712 | 85 km |
| 2000 | COW PEN | 6,502 | 67 km |
| 2010 | CRIPPLE CHINOOK | 6,035 | 71 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 5,819 | 74 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 5,803 | 89 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 5,657 | 89 km |
| 1987 | MACHINE GUN | 5,601 | 69 km |
| 1990 | PIERCES CREEK | 5,544 | 71 km |
| 2020 | 369 D | 5,362 | 69 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 5,062 | 94 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 4,999 | 91 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 4,991 | 73 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 4,899 | 85 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 49°F (9°C) | 6.5 in | Coldest, Wettest |
| February | 52°F (11°C) | 5.5 in | |
| March | 59°F (15°C) | 6.5 in | |
| April | 65°F (18°C) | 5.8 in | |
| May | 73°F (23°C) | 5.6 in | |
| June | 79°F (26°C) | 4.7 in | |
| July | 82°F (28°C) | 5.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 81°F (27°C) | 4.7 in | |
| September | 76°F (25°C) | 4.1 in | |
| October | 66°F (19°C) | 3.6 in | Driest |
| November | 57°F (14°C) | 4.8 in | |
| December | 51°F (10°C) | 5.9 in |
Columbia has a seasonal temperature swing of 33°F / from 49°F in January to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 63.3 inches, with January being the wettest month (6.5") and October the driest (3.6").