Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Dauphin Island enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 69°F (21°C). Winters average 52°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. The area gets 313 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 61.1 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 4 feet.
Temperature
52°F Jan (11°C)83°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average
69.2°F
28% above US avg
January Average
52°F (11°C)
July Average
83°F (28°C)
Sunny Days
313 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
4 ft (1 m)
Area
166.0 sq mi (429.8 km²)
Population Density
311/sq mi
Coordinates
30.2509°N, 88.1713°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Mobile County County
Nearest Airport
Trent Lott International (PGL) 26 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall61.1"
61% above US avg
Snowfall0.0"
Wettest Month (Aug)6.97"
Driest Month (Oct)3.58"
Air Quality
AQI Median
41.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively High
Risk Score
98.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability
53.9 / 100
Community Resilience
79.7 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively High
Hurricane
Very High
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Relatively Moderate
Flood
Relatively High
Hail
Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave
Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather
Relatively Moderate
Lightning
Very High
Ice Storm
Relatively Moderate
Drought
Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave
Relatively Moderate
Landslide
Relatively Low
Coastal Flood
Relatively High
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
16 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M4.8.
Oct 24, 1997
15 km NNW of Flomaton, Alabama
M4.8
125 km
10 km
Oct 26, 1997
11 km NNW of Flomaton, Alabama
M3.7
126 km
10 km
Feb 18, 2011
22 km SSE of Dauphin Island, Alabama
M3.5
25 km
5 km
Sep 30, 2003
10 km NNW of Atmore, Alabama
M3.3
115 km
5 km
May 23, 2025
105 km S of Gulf Shores, Alabama
M3.1
114 km
5 km
May 4, 1997
9 km ESE of Atmore, Alabama
M3.1
111 km
5 km
Mar 11, 2019
4 km N of Flomaton, Alabama
M3.1
123 km
5 km
Apr 11, 2019
6 km NNW of Pollard, Alabama
M3.1
131 km
10 km
Oct 28, 1997
11 km NNW of Flomaton, Alabama
M3.0
126 km
10 km
Oct 18, 1997
69 km SSW of Dauphin Island, Alabama
M2.9
68 km
1 km
Sep 25, 2003
14 km N of Atmore, Alabama
M2.9
118 km
0 km
Mar 7, 2019
2 km NW of Jay, Florida
M2.8
125 km
5 km
Mar 24, 2019
2 km ESE of Century, Florida
M2.7
119 km
5 km
Nov 10, 2012
16 km S of Dauphin Island, Alabama
M2.6
17 km
11 km
Apr 12, 2019
13 km NW of Flomaton, Alabama
M2.6
124 km
5 km
Apr 11, 2019
8 km NW of Pollard, Alabama
M2.5
129 km
8 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
22 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980.
Strongest on record: Category 5.
Year
Name
Category
Max Wind
Closest
2024
Francine
Category 2
104 mph
273 km
2021
Ida
Category 4
150 mph
225 km
2020
Zeta
Category 3
115 mph
146 km
2020
Sally
Category 2
109 mph
46 km
2018
Michael
Category 5
161 mph
228 km
2017
Nate
Category 1
92 mph
81 km
2012
Isaac
Category 1
81 mph
185 km
2009
Ida
Category 1
86 mph
201 km
2008
Gustav
Category 2
109 mph
254 km
2005
Dennis
Category 4
138 mph
103 km
2005
Katrina
Category 4
144 mph
137 km
2005
Cindy
Category 1
75 mph
220 km
2004
Ivan
Category 4
132 mph
27 km
1998
Georges
Category 2
109 mph
61 km
1998
Earl
Category 2
98 mph
163 km
1997
Danny
Category 1
81 mph
9 km
1995
Opal
Category 4
127 mph
88 km
1995
Erin
Category 2
98 mph
75 km
1992
Andrew
Category 4
144 mph
298 km
1988
Florence
Category 1
81 mph
159 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
477 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 9 fatalities, 452 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Feb 23, 2016
EF3
96 km
3.0 mi
0
Oct 13, 2001
EF3
51 km
1.0 mi
0
Nov 21, 1997
EF3
64 km
1.0 mi
0
Apr 25, 1982
EF3
4 km
1.5 mi
0
May 19, 1980
EF3
86 km
4.3 mi
0
May 19, 1980
EF3
98 km
10.6 mi
0
May 16, 1980
EF3
95 km
11.5 mi
0
Apr 13, 1980
EF3
90 km
15.9 mi
0
Mar 27, 1976
EF3
93 km
13.9 mi
0
Feb 7, 1971
EF3
97 km
1.0 mi
0
Nov 3, 1968
EF3
58 km
70.4 mi
0
Nov 3, 1968
EF3
88 km
2.0 mi
0
Oct 30, 1967
EF3
89 km
0.1 mi
0
Oct 30, 1967
EF3
88 km
2.0 mi
4
Apr 18, 1966
EF3
72 km
23.8 mi
0
May 5, 1956
EF3
93 km
1.0 mi
0
Apr 18, 1950
EF3
47 km
14.0 mi
0
Jun 19, 2023
EF2
43 km
2.4 mi
0
Jun 15, 2023
EF2
88 km
8.6 mi
0
Jan 12, 2023
EF2
86 km
11.7 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: UNNAMED (7,660 acres, 2013).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2013
UNNAMED
7,660
80 km
2005
UNNAMED
7,388
88 km
2005
UNNAMED
7,334
97 km
2010
DESOTO 1057
7,148
81 km
1993
UNNAMED
6,744
49 km
2010
DESOTO 1064
5,695
77 km
2014
UNNAMED
5,230
89 km
2008
UNNAMED
5,097
78 km
2008
UNNAMED
5,061
88 km
2010
DESOTO 1051
4,864
94 km
2010
DESOTO 0865
4,494
92 km
2016
GRAND BATURE
3,898
28 km
2009
UNNAMED
3,794
20 km
2010
DESOTO 1053
3,726
85 km
2020
DE SOTO - BB 9370
3,719
79 km
2014
UNNAMED
3,646
81 km
2010
DESOTO 1052
3,428
93 km
2008
UNNAMED
3,325
85 km
2010
DESOTO 1063
3,103
86 km
2007
BAYOU LB
3,066
21 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
52°F (11°C)
5.9 in
Coldest
February
55°F (13°C)
5.5 in
March
61°F (16°C)
5.9 in
April
67°F (19°C)
4.1 in
May
74°F (23°C)
4.9 in
June
80°F (27°C)
5.2 in
July
83°F (28°C)
6.6 in
Warmest
August
82°F (28°C)
7.0 in
Wettest
September
79°F (26°C)
5.7 in
October
70°F (21°C)
3.6 in
Driest
November
62°F (17°C)
4.8 in
December
56°F (13°C)
5.1 in
Dauphin Island has a seasonal temperature swing of 31°F / from 52°F in January to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 64.2 inches, with August being the wettest month (7.0") and October the driest (3.6").