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Weather & Climate in Cornelia, GA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Cornelia enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (15°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. The area gets 301 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 58.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 44. The city sits at an elevation of 1,476 feet.
Temperature
40°F Jan (4°C)
76°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 58.4°F |
| 8% above US avg | |
| January Average | 40°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 301 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,476 ft (450 m) |
| Area | 4.0 sq mi (10.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,160/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.5166°N, 83.5315°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Habersham County County |
| Nearest Airport | Oconee County Regional (CEU) 38 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 44.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 38.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 39.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 23.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
99 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.1.
| May 10, 2025 | 21 km SE of Greenback, Tennessee | M4.1 | 122 km | 25 km |
| Jul 5, 1995 | 12 km ESE of Tellico Plains, Tennessee | M3.7 | 108 km | 10 km |
| Jul 19, 1997 | 12 km E of Cohutta, Georgia | M3.5 | 127 km | 3 km |
| Mar 18, 2003 | 11 km S of Rayle, Georgia | M3.5 | 109 km | 5 km |
| Jan 3, 1992 | 4 km ENE of Willington, South Carolina | M3.4 | 118 km | 3 km |
| Jun 16, 2006 | 9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina | M3.4 | 115 km | 1 km |
| Apr 11, 2006 | 5 km NE of Etowah, Tennessee | M3.3 | 128 km | 20 km |
| Apr 20, 2010 | 4 km SW of Maryville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 141 km | 2 km |
| Jun 4, 2023 | 4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina | M3.2 | 133 km | 0 km |
| May 10, 2006 | 3 km WNW of Madisonville, Tennessee | M3.2 | 138 km | 25 km |
| Aug 1, 2009 | 8 km ENE of Ducktown, Tennessee | M3.2 | 92 km | 5 km |
| Apr 4, 2009 | 15 km N of Milledgeville, Georgia | M3.1 | 148 km | 0 km |
| Jun 23, 2008 | 10 km ESE of Cohutta, Georgia | M3.1 | 128 km | 9 km |
| Jan 15, 1993 | 1 km N of Apison, Tennessee | M3.1 | 148 km | 8 km |
| Oct 30, 1991 | 9 km NNE of Eton, Georgia | M3.1 | 116 km | 8 km |
| Aug 23, 2025 | 3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina | M3.0 | 134 km | 2 km |
| Sep 24, 1991 | 6 km NE of Greenback, Tennessee | M3.0 | 142 km | 13 km |
| Nov 10, 1992 | 4 km ESE of Greenback, Tennessee | M3.0 | 137 km | 10 km |
| Nov 1, 2009 | 1 km ESE of South Cleveland, Tennessee | M3.0 | 139 km | 25 km |
| Jan 21, 2022 | 16 km NNE of Eton, Georgia | M2.9 | 119 km | 15 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
2 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 1.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2018 | Michael | Category 1 | — | 271 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 2 | 98 mph | 224 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
375 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 38 fatalities, 696 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 85 km | 24.0 mi | 4 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 75 km | 17.7 mi | 6 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF3 | 43 km | 16.7 mi | 1 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 41 km | 37.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 20, 1998 | EF3 | 37 km | 4.0 mi | 12 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF3 | 46 km | 23.0 mi | 3 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF3 | 63 km | 44.0 mi | 3 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF3 | 23 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 22, 1992 | EF3 | 37 km | 10.0 mi | 1 |
| Nov 15, 1989 | EF3 | 13 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1974 | EF3 | 72 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 13, 1973 | EF3 | 39 km | 9.5 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 1973 | EF3 | 73 km | 18.7 mi | 1 |
| Apr 2, 1970 | EF3 | 68 km | 6.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 21, 1962 | EF3 | 90 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 23, 2022 | EF2 | 75 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| May 3, 2021 | EF2 | 86 km | 29.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF2 | 94 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 8, 2017 | EF2 | 76 km | 8.4 mi | 0 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF2 | 93 km | 21.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ROCK MOUNTAIN (25,224 acres, 2016).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2016 | ROCK MOUNTAIN | 25,224 | 53 km |
| 2016 | TELLICO | 14,172 | 87 km |
| 2016 | BOTELER | 8,626 | 63 km |
| 2016 | PINNACLE MOUNTAIN | 7,869 | 95 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 5,084 | 87 km |
| 2013 | BEAVER DAM | 4,336 | 99 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 3,298 | 57 km |
| 2016 | CAMP BRANCH | 3,234 | 74 km |
| 2023 | PANTHER KNOB | 3,170 | 68 km |
| 2019 | JACK DAVIS/DOGWOOD SPRINGS RX | 3,120 | 82 km |
| 2020 | CHAMBERS-GRAPE-HICKORY AP | 2,421 | 45 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 2,201 | 8 km |
| 2010 | BRAMLETT RIDGE | 2,200 | 37 km |
| 2023 | BRAMLETT RIDGE FY 23 | 2,172 | 37 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 2,133 | 37 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,087 | 72 km |
| 2023 | TRAIL RIDGE FY23 | 2,085 | 36 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 1,998 | 37 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,911 | 37 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 1,855 | 72 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40°F (4°C) | 6.1 in | Coldest |
| February | 43°F (6°C) | 5.4 in | |
| March | 50°F (10°C) | 6.5 in | Wettest |
| April | 58°F (14°C) | 4.7 in | |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 5.2 in | |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 4.7 in | |
| July | 76°F (25°C) | 5.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 4.9 in | |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 4.6 in | |
| October | 59°F (15°C) | 4.5 in | Driest |
| November | 50°F (10°C) | 4.9 in | |
| December | 42°F (6°C) | 5.3 in |
Cornelia has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 40°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 61.8 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.5") and October the driest (4.5").