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Weather & Climate in Columbus, MS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Columbus enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. The area gets 304 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 58.5 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 181 feet.
Temperature
44°F Jan (7°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 63.5°F |
| 18% above US avg | |
| January Average | 44°F (7°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 304 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 181 ft (55 m) |
| Area | 22.9 sq mi (59.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 942/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 33.5082°N, 88.4071°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Lowndes County County |
| Nearest Airport | Golden Triangle Regional (GTR) 11 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 80.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 76.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 65.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
56 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.6.
| Aug 19, 2004 | 8 km W of Brantleyville, Alabama | M3.6 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Jun 30, 2015 | 12 km W of Union, Alabama | M3.5 | 66 km | 0 km |
| Jun 24, 1998 | 11 km W of Demopolis, Alabama | M3.4 | 120 km | 5 km |
| May 28, 1995 | 14 km WSW of Coker, Alabama | M3.4 | 64 km | 1 km |
| Apr 21, 2009 | 12 km S of Centreville, Alabama | M3.4 | 143 km | 13 km |
| May 9, 2004 | 8 km WNW of Brantleyville, Alabama | M3.3 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Jul 15, 1995 | 21 km SSW of Berry, Alabama | M3.3 | 69 km | 1 km |
| Jun 23, 1990 | 12 km E of Vernon, Alabama | M3.2 | 49 km | 1 km |
| Sep 2, 1990 | 12 km NW of Fayette, Alabama | M3.2 | 52 km | 1 km |
| Jun 28, 2008 | 7 km WNW of Brookwood, Alabama | M3.1 | 97 km | 5 km |
| Jun 23, 1990 | 8 km N of Belk, Alabama | M3.1 | 49 km | 6 km |
| Mar 12, 2015 | 14 km W of Union, Alabama | M3.1 | 68 km | 0 km |
| May 10, 2008 | 1 km SSE of Sherman, Mississippi | M3.1 | 102 km | 0 km |
| Feb 27, 2015 | 11 km WSW of Union, Alabama | M3.1 | 69 km | 0 km |
| Mar 20, 2004 | 11 km NW of Wilton, Alabama | M3.0 | 139 km | 0 km |
| May 4, 1994 | 12 km NNW of Addison, Alabama | M3.0 | 139 km | 5 km |
| Sep 11, 1992 | 5 km SSE of Riverview, Alabama | M3.0 | 92 km | 7 km |
| May 28, 2000 | 13 km S of Winfield, Alabama | M3.0 | 64 km | 5 km |
| May 4, 1994 | 2 km NNW of Addison, Alabama | M3.0 | 137 km | 19 km |
| May 21, 2002 | 7 km ESE of York, Alabama | M3.0 | 118 km | 27 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
4 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 1.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2020 | Zeta | Category 1 | — | 239 km |
| 2005 | Katrina | Category 1 | 92 mph | 202 km |
| 2004 | Ivan | Category 1 | 81 mph | 244 km |
| 1995 | Opal | Category 1 | 92 mph | 237 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
578 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 312 fatalities, 3,691 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF5 | 60 km | 37.1 mi | 23 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF5 | 71 km | 132.0 mi | 72 |
| Apr 8, 1998 | EF5 | 99 km | 30.3 mi | 32 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF5 | 44 km | 79.5 mi | 28 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 69 km | 80.7 mi | 64 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 36 km | 127.8 mi | 13 |
| Dec 16, 2000 | EF4 | 83 km | 18.0 mi | 11 |
| Feb 23, 1977 | EF4 | 94 km | 15.0 mi | 2 |
| Feb 23, 1975 | EF4 | 89 km | 14.4 mi | 1 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 33 km | 110.6 mi | 3 |
| Apr 29, 1963 | EF4 | 74 km | 4.7 mi | 3 |
| Mar 24, 2023 | EF3 | 50 km | 36.6 mi | 2 |
| Mar 25, 2021 | EF3 | 100 km | 11.1 mi | 0 |
| Feb 23, 2019 | EF3 | 4 km | 9.7 mi | 1 |
| Apr 28, 2014 | EF3 | 89 km | 31.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 87 km | 51.5 mi | 4 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 73 km | 23.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 65 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 72 km | 31.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 57 km | 22.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: MSNXR FY16 RX 1703B (3,633 acres, 2016).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2016 | MSNXR FY16 RX 1703B | 3,633 | 51 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 3,616 | 58 km |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 3,605 | 52 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 3,593 | 59 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 3,556 | 73 km |
| 1987 | 10 NOVEMBER | 3,301 | 51 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 3,053 | 57 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 2,893 | 99 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 2,887 | 69 km |
| 2020 | TOMBIGBEE COMP 54/55/56 | 2,846 | 57 km |
| 2006 | WITCHDCE W | 2,846 | 69 km |
| 2022 | TOMBIGBEE BB 54 55 56 | 2,736 | 57 km |
| 1995 | 16 | 2,482 | 50 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 2,393 | 52 km |
| 1996 | 8 | 2,384 | 51 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 2,300 | 57 km |
| 2007 | WITCHDANCE EAST | 2,285 | 67 km |
| 1994 | S BOUND | 2,260 | 47 km |
| 2021 | TOMBIGBEE CPT - 18/19/23/24 | 2,201 | 68 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,162 | 70 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 44°F (7°C) | 5.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 46°F (8°C) | 4.9 in | |
| March | 54°F (12°C) | 6.1 in | Wettest |
| April | 62°F (17°C) | 5.6 in | |
| May | 70°F (21°C) | 4.7 in | |
| June | 77°F (25°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 4.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 80°F (26°C) | 3.4 in | Driest |
| September | 74°F (23°C) | 3.7 in | |
| October | 63°F (17°C) | 3.6 in | |
| November | 53°F (12°C) | 4.8 in | |
| December | 45°F (7°C) | 5.5 in |
Columbus has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 44°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 56.3 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.1") and August the driest (3.4").