Weather & Climate in Cottonwood, AL
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Cottonwood 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. Annual precipitation totals 57.6 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 152 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) |
Geography
| Elevation | 152 ft (46 m) |
| Area | 5.8 sq mi (15.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 189/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 31.0540°N, 85.2996°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Houston County County |
| Nearest Airport | Dothan Regional (DHN) 20 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 87.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 72.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 76.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively 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 | 174 km |
| 2024 | Debby | Category 1 | 81 mph | 223 km |
| 2023 | Idalia | Category 4 | 132 mph | 207 km |
| 2020 | Sally | Category 2 | 109 mph | 202 km |
| 2018 | Michael | Category 5 | 161 mph | 39 km |
| 2016 | Hermine | Category 1 | 81 mph | 150 km |
| 2005 | Dennis | Category 4 | 138 mph | 187 km |
| 2004 | Ivan | Category 4 | 127 mph | 232 km |
| 1998 | Earl | Category 2 | 98 mph | 113 km |
| 1997 | Danny | Category 1 | 81 mph | 259 km |
| 1995 | Opal | Category 3 | 127 mph | 143 km |
| 1995 | Erin | Category 2 | 98 mph | 185 km |
| 1985 | Elena | Category 3 | 127 mph | 193 km |
| 1985 | Kate | Category 2 | 98 mph | 90 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
577 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 56 fatalities, 1,005 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 1, 2007 | EF4 | 64 km | 10.3 mi | 9 |
| Mar 31, 2022 | EF3 | 51 km | 12.1 mi | 2 |
| Mar 22, 2005 | EF3 | 36 km | 18.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 20, 2003 | EF3 | 99 km | 25.0 mi | 6 |
| Feb 13, 2000 | EF3 | 99 km | 9.2 mi | 11 |
| Nov 25, 1986 | EF3 | 70 km | 44.0 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 1983 | EF3 | 70 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 19, 1974 | EF3 | 92 km | 11.3 mi | 0 |
| Dec 30, 1973 | EF3 | 55 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 29, 1973 | EF3 | 33 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 29, 1973 | EF3 | 64 km | 11.6 mi | 0 |
| Jan 13, 1972 | EF3 | 62 km | 16.8 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 1971 | EF3 | 92 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 3, 1971 | EF3 | 89 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 2, 1971 | EF3 | 94 km | 23.8 mi | 0 |
| Dec 28, 1968 | EF3 | 72 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 10, 1967 | EF3 | 100 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 2024 | EF2 | 84 km | 24.2 mi | 0 |
| Jan 9, 2024 | EF2 | 96 km | 12.9 mi | 0 |
| Jan 9, 2024 | EF2 | 34 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 | 91 km |
| 2011 | UNNAMED | 8,424 | 98 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 7,252 | 99 km |
| 2022 | ANF BU 2/BU 9 RX 0128 | 7,208 | 96 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 6,185 | 95 km |
| 2017 | BU 9 | 5,996 | 97 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 5,917 | 98 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 5,383 | 97 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 5,364 | 94 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 5,311 | 97 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 5,207 | 97 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 5,003 | 98 km |
| 2014 | BURN UNIT 8 | 4,937 | 94 km |
| 2013 | BURN UNIT 17 | 4,878 | 97 km |
| 2013 | BURN UNIT 11 | 4,851 | 98 km |
| 2021 | BU 11 | 4,763 | 98 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 4,734 | 97 km |
| 2024 | ANF BU 11 RX 0321 | 4,672 | 98 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 4,602 | 98 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 4,562 | 97 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 52°F (11°C) | 4.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 55°F (13°C) | 5.0 in | |
| March | 62°F (16°C) | 5.0 in | |
| April | 68°F (20°C) | 4.8 in | |
| May | 76°F (24°C) | 3.7 in | |
| June | 81°F (27°C) | 5.4 in | |
| July | 83°F (28°C) | 6.2 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 82°F (28°C) | 5.4 in | |
| September | 79°F (26°C) | 4.5 in | |
| October | 70°F (21°C) | 3.3 in | Driest |
| November | 60°F (15°C) | 4.0 in | |
| December | 54°F (12°C) | 5.3 in |
Cottonwood has a seasonal temperature swing of 31°F / from 52°F in January to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 57.6 inches, with July being the wettest month (6.2") and October the driest (3.3").