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Weather & Climate in Cottondale, FL
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Cottondale enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 68°F (20°C). Winters average 52°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. The area gets 306 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 51.1 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 142 feet.
Temperature
52°F Jan (11°C)
83°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 68.3°F |
| 26% above US avg | |
| January Average | 52°F (11°C) |
| July Average | 83°F (28°C) |
| Sunny Days | 306 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 142 ft (43 m) |
| Area | 3.5 sq mi (9.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 273/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 30.7897°N, 85.3660°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Jackson County County |
| Nearest Airport | Dothan Regional (DHN) 37 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 75.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 78.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 26.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Hurricane History
14 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 5.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2024 | Helene | Category 4 | 138 mph | 178 km |
| 2024 | Debby | Category 1 | 81 mph | 213 km |
| 2023 | Idalia | Category 4 | 132 mph | 196 km |
| 2020 | Sally | Category 2 | 109 mph | 194 km |
| 2018 | Michael | Category 5 | 161 mph | 50 km |
| 2016 | Hermine | Category 1 | 81 mph | 142 km |
| 2005 | Dennis | Category 4 | 138 mph | 172 km |
| 2004 | Ivan | Category 4 | 127 mph | 232 km |
| 1998 | Earl | Category 2 | 98 mph | 83 km |
| 1997 | Danny | Category 1 | 81 mph | 246 km |
| 1995 | Opal | Category 4 | 127 mph | 139 km |
| 1995 | Erin | Category 2 | 98 mph | 162 km |
| 1985 | Elena | Category 3 | 127 mph | 163 km |
| 1985 | Kate | Category 2 | 109 mph | 70 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
612 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 38 fatalities, 676 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 1, 2007 | EF4 | 76 km | 10.3 mi | 9 |
| Jan 9, 2024 | EF3 | 81 km | 5.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 31, 2022 | EF3 | 22 km | 12.1 mi | 2 |
| Mar 22, 2005 | EF3 | 52 km | 18.0 mi | 1 |
| Nov 25, 1986 | EF3 | 85 km | 44.0 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 1983 | EF3 | 85 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 30, 1973 | EF3 | 78 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 29, 1973 | EF3 | 78 km | 11.6 mi | 0 |
| Dec 29, 1973 | EF3 | 62 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 13, 1972 | EF3 | 90 km | 16.8 mi | 0 |
| Dec 28, 1968 | EF3 | 71 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 10, 1967 | EF3 | 82 km | 7.1 mi | 1 |
| Dec 10, 1967 | EF3 | 83 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 2024 | EF2 | 92 km | 24.8 mi | 2 |
| May 10, 2024 | EF2 | 74 km | 24.2 mi | 0 |
| Jan 9, 2024 | EF2 | 67 km | 12.9 mi | 0 |
| Jan 9, 2024 | EF2 | 89 km | 21.7 mi | 0 |
| Jan 9, 2024 | EF2 | 16 km | 16.3 mi | 0 |
| Jan 9, 2024 | EF2 | 75 km | 0.9 mi | 0 |
| Jan 9, 2024 | EF2 | 22 km | 34.8 mi | 1 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BERTHA SWAMP RD (23,036 acres, 2022).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2022 | BERTHA SWAMP RD | 23,036 | 61 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 11,539 | 95 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 11,445 | 87 km |
| 2021 | BU 83/84/85 | 10,582 | 97 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 10,132 | 97 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 9,352 | 94 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 8,688 | 98 km |
| 2011 | UNNAMED | 8,424 | 75 km |
| 2014 | BURN UNIT 057 | 8,381 | 94 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 8,237 | 93 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 8,120 | 94 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 8,108 | 92 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 8,012 | 92 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 7,968 | 86 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 7,683 | 91 km |
| 2020 | VILAS | 7,663 | 79 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 7,619 | 94 km |
| 2024 | ANF BU 241 242 RX 0202 | 7,573 | 89 km |
| 2018 | FIREBREAK 56 (23) | 7,530 | 90 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 7,430 | 84 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 52°F (11°C) | 5.2 in | Coldest |
| February | 53°F (12°C) | 5.1 in | |
| March | 60°F (15°C) | 5.4 in | |
| April | 65°F (19°C) | 3.7 in | |
| May | 73°F (23°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 79°F (26°C) | 5.7 in | |
| July | 83°F (28°C) | 7.0 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 80°F (27°C) | 5.8 in | |
| September | 77°F (25°C) | 4.6 in | |
| October | 68°F (20°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| November | 59°F (15°C) | 3.5 in | |
| December | 52°F (11°C) | 4.5 in |
Cottondale has a seasonal temperature swing of 31°F / from 52°F in January to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 57.5 inches, with July being the wettest month (7.0") and October the driest (3.0").