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Weather & Climate in Decatur, AL
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Decatur enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 79°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 58.0 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 594 feet.
Temperature
42°F Jan (5°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 61.4°F |
| 14% above US avg | |
| January Average | 42°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 301 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 594 ft (181 m) |
| Area | 54.6 sq mi (141.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,058/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.5730°N, 86.9899°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Morgan County County |
| Nearest Airport | Pryor Field Regional (DCU) 6 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 88.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 60.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 47.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
77 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.6.
| Apr 29, 2003 | 8 km S of Valley Head, Alabama | M4.6 | 125 km | 20 km |
| Dec 8, 2001 | 5 km SW of Pleasant Groves, Alabama | M3.9 | 71 km | 0 km |
| May 9, 2004 | 8 km WNW of Brantleyville, Alabama | M3.3 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Jul 15, 1995 | 21 km SSW of Berry, Alabama | M3.3 | 137 km | 1 km |
| Sep 2, 1990 | 12 km NW of Fayette, Alabama | M3.2 | 125 km | 1 km |
| Apr 5, 1994 | 10 km N of Trenton, Georgia | M3.2 | 144 km | 24 km |
| Jun 23, 1990 | 12 km E of Vernon, Alabama | M3.2 | 128 km | 1 km |
| May 6, 2010 | 11 km ENE of Whitesboro, Alabama | M3.2 | 105 km | 5 km |
| Mar 21, 2001 | 7 km ESE of Trenton, Georgia | M3.2 | 145 km | 0 km |
| May 10, 2020 | 7 km SSE of Sewanee, Tennessee | M3.1 | 118 km | 8 km |
| Apr 29, 2003 | 7 km E of Fort Payne, Alabama | M3.1 | 125 km | 3 km |
| Jun 23, 1990 | 8 km N of Belk, Alabama | M3.1 | 129 km | 6 km |
| Jun 28, 2008 | 7 km WNW of Brookwood, Alabama | M3.1 | 149 km | 5 km |
| May 2, 2003 | 8 km S of Valley Head, Alabama | M3.1 | 127 km | 15 km |
| Sep 13, 2011 | 1 km NNW of Leeds, Alabama | M3.0 | 120 km | 19 km |
| May 4, 1994 | 2 km NNW of Addison, Alabama | M3.0 | 43 km | 19 km |
| May 4, 2007 | 4 km SSW of Jasper, Alabama | M3.0 | 91 km | 5 km |
| May 4, 1994 | 12 km NNW of Addison, Alabama | M3.0 | 38 km | 5 km |
| May 28, 2000 | 3 km NE of Fayette, Alabama | M3.0 | 122 km | 0 km |
| May 28, 2000 | 13 km S of Winfield, Alabama | M3.0 | 114 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
1 hurricane (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 1.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 1995 | Opal | Category 1 | — | 279 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
746 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 192 fatalities, 2,703 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF5 | 95 km | 36.6 mi | 25 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF5 | 46 km | 52.0 mi | 28 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF5 | 15 km | 83.3 mi | 16 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 55 km | 46.9 mi | 6 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 93 km | 47.0 mi | 14 |
| Feb 6, 2008 | EF4 | 34 km | 16.7 mi | 4 |
| Nov 24, 2001 | EF4 | 89 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1995 | EF4 | 29 km | 39.0 mi | 1 |
| May 18, 1995 | EF4 | 65 km | 29.0 mi | 3 |
| Nov 15, 1989 | EF4 | 32 km | 18.5 mi | 21 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 65 km | 27.5 mi | 11 |
| Mar 6, 1967 | EF4 | 99 km | 20.9 mi | 2 |
| Mar 11, 1963 | EF4 | 75 km | 28.0 mi | 2 |
| Nov 18, 1957 | EF4 | 79 km | 26.1 mi | 3 |
| Nov 17, 1957 | EF4 | 77 km | 7.2 mi | 4 |
| Apr 24, 1955 | EF4 | 25 km | 8.6 mi | 5 |
| Mar 22, 1952 | EF4 | 3 km | 21.6 mi | 4 |
| Feb 29, 1952 | EF4 | 74 km | 2.0 mi | 2 |
| Feb 13, 1952 | EF4 | 94 km | 12.7 mi | 3 |
| May 8, 2024 | EF3 | 28 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (3,112 acres, 2014).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 3,112 | 50 km |
| 2020 | BK OWL CREEK | 2,838 | 37 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 2,822 | 40 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,764 | 51 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 2,710 | 42 km |
| 2011 | GREEN TOWER | 2,653 | 34 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,602 | 44 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,442 | 46 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 2,394 | 98 km |
| 2015 | BIG TREE | 2,288 | 48 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 2,264 | 36 km |
| 2010 | BALLS MT. | 2,229 | 55 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 2,160 | 45 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 2,143 | 55 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,114 | 43 km |
| 2021 | BK LEOLA/WARREN | 2,007 | 35 km |
| 2024 | BNK MILL CREEK RX | 1,959 | 51 km |
| 2010 | STINSON GAP | 1,922 | 36 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 1,845 | 39 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 1,826 | 39 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 42°F (5°C) | 5.2 in | Coldest |
| February | 44°F (6°C) | 4.8 in | |
| March | 52°F (11°C) | 6.5 in | Wettest |
| April | 60°F (16°C) | 5.0 in | |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 5.0 in | |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 4.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 78°F (26°C) | 3.4 in | Driest |
| September | 72°F (22°C) | 4.2 in | |
| October | 61°F (16°C) | 3.4 in | |
| November | 51°F (11°C) | 4.7 in | |
| December | 43°F (6°C) | 5.8 in |
Decatur has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 42°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 56.9 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.5") and August the driest (3.4").