Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Columbus enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 69°F (20°C). Winters average 51°F in January while summers reach 84°F in July. The area gets 330 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 45.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42. The city sits at an elevation of 223 feet.
Temperature
51°F Jan (11°C)84°F Jul (29°C)
Annual Average
68.8°F
27% above US avg
January Average
51°F (11°C)
July Average
84°F (29°C)
Sunny Days
330 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
223 ft (68 m)
Area
2.9 sq mi (7.5 km²)
Population Density
1,235/sq mi
Coordinates
29.7045°N, 96.5589°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Colorado County County
Nearest Airport
Wharton Regional (WHT) 39 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall45.0"
19% above US avg
Snowfall0.0"
Wettest Month (May)5.35"
Driest Month (Mar)2.52"
Air Quality
AQI Median
42.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
62.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability
83.9 / 100
Community Resilience
40.6 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Moderate
Hurricane
Relatively Moderate
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Low
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Low
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Low
Lightning
Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm
Relatively Low
Drought
Relatively High
Cold Wave
Relatively Moderate
Landslide
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
86 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M4.6.
Jan 30, 2025
18 km ENE of Falls City, Texas
M4.6
144 km
7 km
Sep 14, 2023
16 km ENE of Falls City, Texas
M4.1
146 km
8 km
Jan 31, 2025
19 km ENE of Falls City, Texas
M3.5
143 km
7 km
Apr 10, 2021
10 km SSE of Smiley, Texas
M3.4
117 km
5 km
Apr 17, 2024
21 km ENE of Falls City, Texas
M3.2
142 km
7 km
Feb 7, 2021
8 km ESE of Smiley, Texas
M3.2
110 km
6 km
Sep 11, 2023
17 km ENE of Falls City, Texas
M3.1
146 km
8 km
Apr 18, 2020
21 km ENE of Falls City, Texas
M3.1
141 km
5 km
Jan 3, 2025
20 km ENE of Falls City, Texas
M3.1
143 km
7 km
Feb 19, 2015
3 km N of Hallettsville, Texas
M3.1
45 km
5 km
May 14, 2019
1 km SSE of Smiley, Texas
M3.1
115 km
5 km
May 12, 2019
18 km N of Yorktown, Texas
M3.1
108 km
5 km
May 10, 2019
13 km SSE of Stockdale, Texas
M3.0
145 km
5 km
Jul 2, 2017
13 km NE of Falls City, Texas
M3.0
149 km
5 km
Sep 11, 2023
17 km ENE of Falls City, Texas
M3.0
146 km
8 km
Feb 3, 2019
13 km ESE of Smiley, Texas
M3.0
107 km
5 km
Mar 4, 2019
11 km SE of Cuero, Texas
M3.0
98 km
5 km
Jan 1, 2024
18 km S of Gonzales, Texas
M3.0
95 km
3 km
May 22, 2023
16 km S of Smiley, Texas
M2.9
124 km
5 km
Aug 18, 2023
3 km NNW of Nordheim, Texas
M2.9
134 km
4 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
12 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980.
Strongest on record: Category 4.
Year
Name
Category
Max Wind
Closest
2024
Beryl
Category 1
92 mph
70 km
2021
Nicholas
Category 1
75 mph
131 km
2020
Hanna
Category 1
81 mph
295 km
2017
Harvey
Category 4
132 mph
133 km
2008
Ike
Category 2
109 mph
147 km
2007
Humberto
Category 1
92 mph
198 km
2005
Rita
Category 3
115 mph
253 km
2003
Claudette
Category 1
92 mph
127 km
1989
Chantal
Category 1
81 mph
209 km
1989
Jerry
Category 1
86 mph
161 km
1986
Bonnie
Category 1
86 mph
219 km
1983
Alicia
Category 3
115 mph
102 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
506 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 11 fatalities, 241 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Mar 10, 2000
EF3
80 km
21.0 mi
0
Dec 24, 1975
EF3
76 km
1.0 mi
0
Sep 13, 1974
EF3
79 km
3.6 mi
0
Sep 20, 1967
EF3
40 km
2.0 mi
0
Sep 20, 1967
EF3
63 km
4.3 mi
0
Sep 20, 1967
EF3
34 km
19.9 mi
0
Sep 20, 1967
EF3
71 km
0.1 mi
0
Sep 20, 1967
EF3
34 km
19.9 mi
0
Mar 28, 1966
EF3
36 km
9.3 mi
0
Feb 9, 1966
EF3
82 km
2.0 mi
0
Sep 22, 1965
EF3
98 km
0.8 mi
0
Apr 19, 1965
EF3
61 km
0.2 mi
1
Nov 22, 1961
EF3
57 km
2.0 mi
0
Oct 14, 1957
EF3
71 km
1.0 mi
0
Mar 20, 1957
EF3
77 km
16.9 mi
0
Mar 20, 1957
EF3
68 km
7.2 mi
0
Dec 2, 1953
EF3
97 km
3.3 mi
0
Apr 28, 1953
EF3
68 km
0.5 mi
0
Jun 5, 1950
EF3
55 km
23.9 mi
0
May 3, 2019
EF2
45 km
2.4 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
13 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: BASTROP COUNTY COMPLEX (31,838 acres, 2011).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2011
BASTROP COUNTY COMPLEX
31,838
81 km
2011
RILEY ROAD
18,999
92 km
2011
DYER MILL
5,170
91 km
2011
DELHI
4,735
85 km
2015
HIDDEN PINES
3,807
73 km
2011
BAILEY
3,136
10 km
2011
LUTHERHILL
2,215
41 km
2009
REESE LANE
1,888
10 km
2017
SALEM RD
1,672
97 km
2011
GEORGE BUSH PARK
1,557
87 km
2009
WILDERNESS RIDGE
1,278
75 km
2009
EL TORRO
1,108
90 km
1998
PRAUSE PRAIRIE
1,027
26 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
51°F (11°C)
3.1 in
Coldest
February
54°F (12°C)
2.8 in
March
61°F (16°C)
2.5 in
Driest
April
68°F (20°C)
3.0 in
May
75°F (24°C)
5.4 in
Wettest
June
80°F (27°C)
4.2 in
July
84°F (29°C)
2.6 in
Warmest
August
83°F (28°C)
2.9 in
September
79°F (26°C)
4.8 in
October
70°F (21°C)
3.5 in
November
60°F (16°C)
3.5 in
December
53°F (12°C)
2.9 in
Columbus has a seasonal temperature swing of 32°F / from 51°F in January to 84°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 41.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.4") and March the driest (2.5").