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Weather & Climate in Dayton, IA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Dayton experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 260 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 35.3 inches. The area receives 31.7 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 1,128 feet.
Temperature
18°F Jan (-8°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 47.8°F |
| 11% below US avg | |
| January Average | 18°F (-8°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 260 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,128 ft (344 m) |
| Area | 0.9 sq mi (2.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 928/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 42.2622°N, 94.0711°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Webster County County |
| Nearest Airport | Fort Dodge Regional (FOD) 21 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 60.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 21.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 83.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1 earthquake (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M2.7.
| Jun 30, 2021 | 4 km E of Rembrandt, Iowa | M2.7 | 105 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
683 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 34 fatalities, 1,007 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 13, 1976 | EF5 | 41 km | 21.3 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 1968 | EF5 | 96 km | 62.1 mi | 13 |
| Oct 14, 1966 | EF5 | 69 km | 9.7 mi | 6 |
| Apr 9, 2011 | EF4 | 83 km | 3.2 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 1995 | EF4 | 72 km | 36.0 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 1995 | EF4 | 72 km | 30.0 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 1989 | EF4 | 74 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1989 | EF4 | 21 km | 66.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 28, 1986 | EF4 | 69 km | 20.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 1979 | EF4 | 60 km | 14.9 mi | 3 |
| May 4, 1977 | EF4 | 31 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1974 | EF4 | 70 km | 15.3 mi | 2 |
| Jun 8, 1967 | EF4 | 30 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1965 | EF4 | 33 km | 9.9 mi | 0 |
| Aug 29, 1964 | EF4 | 74 km | 15.8 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1959 | EF4 | 97 km | 41.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1954 | EF4 | 53 km | 9.9 mi | 1 |
| Jul 14, 2021 | EF3 | 59 km | 10.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 19, 2018 | EF3 | 88 km | 8.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 2013 | EF3 | 76 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: NEAL SMITH WUI 2016 1 (1,050 acres, 2016).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2016 | NEAL SMITH WUI 2016 1 | 1,050 | 100 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 18°F (-8°C) | 0.8 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 23°F (-5°C) | 0.9 in | |
| March | 35°F (2°C) | 2.1 in | |
| April | 49°F (9°C) | 3.2 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 4.2 in | |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 4.9 in | Wettest |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 4.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 71°F (22°C) | 4.1 in | |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 3.4 in | |
| October | 51°F (11°C) | 2.6 in | |
| November | 36°F (2°C) | 1.7 in | |
| December | 22°F (-6°C) | 1.2 in |
Dayton has a seasonal temperature swing of 55°F / from 18°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 33.0 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.9") and January the driest (0.8").