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Weather & Climate in Defiance, IA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Defiance experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area gets 275 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 34.3 inches. The area receives 30.5 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 1,269 feet.
Temperature
21°F Jan (-6°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 49.5°F |
| 8% below US avg | |
| January Average | 21°F (-6°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 275 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,269 ft (387 m) |
| Area | 0.4 sq mi (1.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 559/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.8250°N, 95.3401°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Shelby County County |
| Nearest Airport | Eppley Airfield (OMA) 46 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 22.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 87.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
2 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.5.
| Jul 16, 2004 | 6 km SSE of Riverton, Iowa | M3.5 | 134 km | 5 km |
| Jun 30, 2021 | 4 km E of Rembrandt, Iowa | M2.7 | 113 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
554 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 15 fatalities, 416 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 27, 1953 | EF5 | 68 km | 0.1 mi | 1 |
| Oct 4, 2013 | EF4 | 85 km | 24.7 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 1995 | EF4 | 57 km | 30.0 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 1995 | EF4 | 46 km | 36.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 26, 1976 | EF4 | 47 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 1975 | EF4 | 95 km | 8.0 mi | 3 |
| May 5, 1965 | EF4 | 89 km | 9.9 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1959 | EF4 | 69 km | 41.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1954 | EF4 | 72 km | 9.9 mi | 1 |
| Apr 26, 2024 | EF3 | 79 km | 13.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 2024 | EF3 | 78 km | 19.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 2024 | EF3 | 61 km | 40.3 mi | 1 |
| Jul 14, 2021 | EF3 | 67 km | 10.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 9, 2011 | EF3 | 54 km | 3.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 9, 2011 | EF3 | 59 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 9, 2011 | EF3 | 79 km | 29.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 2008 | EF3 | 65 km | 14.2 mi | 4 |
| May 16, 1999 | EF3 | 51 km | 7.5 mi | 2 |
| May 16, 1999 | EF3 | 51 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 5, 1994 | EF3 | 97 km | 1.8 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
2 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (4,195 acres, 2005).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 4,195 | 62 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 629 | 63 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21°F (-6°C) | 0.7 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.8 in | |
| March | 37°F (3°C) | 2.1 in | |
| April | 50°F (10°C) | 3.0 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 4.3 in | |
| June | 71°F (21°C) | 4.5 in | Wettest |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 3.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 3.7 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 4.0 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 2.6 in | |
| November | 36°F (2°C) | 1.5 in | |
| December | 24°F (-5°C) | 1.0 in |
Defiance has a seasonal temperature swing of 54°F / from 21°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 31.9 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.5") and January the driest (0.7").