All Countries
Weather & Climate in Fairfield, IA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Fairfield experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 74°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 38.4 inches. The area receives 21.7 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 776 feet.
Temperature
22°F Jan (-6°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 49.7°F |
| 8% below US avg | |
| January Average | 22°F (-6°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 275 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 776 ft (237 m) |
| Area | 6.4 sq mi (16.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,428/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.0064°N, 91.9666°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Jefferson County County |
| Nearest Airport | Ottumwa Regional (OTM) 26 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 27.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 62.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 50.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Tornado History
482 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 12 fatalities, 309 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF4 | 34 km | 19.9 mi | 0 |
| May 13, 1995 | EF4 | 73 km | 50.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 12, 1974 | EF4 | 85 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 24, 1967 | EF4 | 83 km | 25.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF3 | 31 km | 26.1 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 2019 | EF3 | 38 km | 7.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 19, 2018 | EF3 | 96 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 2015 | EF3 | 98 km | 11.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 2007 | EF3 | 71 km | 15.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1999 | EF3 | 85 km | 7.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1999 | EF3 | 48 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 1998 | EF3 | 36 km | 47.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 1974 | EF3 | 92 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| May 1, 1973 | EF3 | 68 km | 3.6 mi | 2 |
| Apr 20, 1973 | EF3 | 65 km | 9.5 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1971 | EF3 | 100 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1967 | EF3 | 3 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 1967 | EF3 | 36 km | 19.4 mi | 2 |
| Jan 24, 1967 | EF3 | 66 km | 4.3 mi | 1 |
| Jan 24, 1967 | EF3 | 18 km | 25.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
8 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNIT 3 (1,206 acres, 1999).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1999 | UNIT 3 | 1,206 | 74 km |
| 2002 | HSB 03 2 | 1,130 | 74 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 939 | 99 km |
| 2010 | FOLEY | 786 | 97 km |
| 2000 | DESTRUST A | 756 | 74 km |
| 2011 | ACE AUTO | 676 | 92 km |
| 2006 | HSB 003 | 674 | 74 km |
| 2004 | HSB 009 | 608 | 74 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22°F (-6°C) | 1.2 in | Coldest |
| February | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.1 in | Driest |
| March | 39°F (4°C) | 2.4 in | |
| April | 51°F (11°C) | 3.5 in | |
| May | 62°F (17°C) | 4.5 in | |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 4.0 in | |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 4.5 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 4.2 in | |
| September | 65°F (19°C) | 4.2 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 2.9 in | |
| November | 39°F (4°C) | 2.4 in | |
| December | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.7 in |
Fairfield has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 22°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 36.5 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.5") and February the driest (1.1").