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Weather & Climate in Fort Payne, AL
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Fort Payne enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 80°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 1,403 feet.
Temperature
42°F Jan (5°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 62.2°F |
| 15% above US avg | |
| January Average | 42°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 301 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,403 ft (428 m) |
| Area | 55.8 sq mi (144.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 264/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.4573°N, 85.6894°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | DeKalb County County |
| Nearest Airport | Richard B Russell Regional - J H Towers Field (RMG) 31 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 80.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 74.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 13.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
111 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 | 7 km | 20 km |
| Dec 8, 2001 | 5 km SW of Pleasant Groves, Alabama | M3.9 | 57 km | 0 km |
| Jul 19, 1997 | 12 km E of Cohutta, Georgia | M3.5 | 97 km | 3 km |
| Apr 11, 2006 | 5 km NE of Etowah, Tennessee | M3.3 | 149 km | 20 km |
| Mar 18, 1995 | 10 km SE of Dayton, Tennessee | M3.3 | 127 km | 26 km |
| Mar 21, 2001 | 7 km ESE of Trenton, Georgia | M3.2 | 49 km | 0 km |
| Apr 5, 1994 | 10 km N of Trenton, Georgia | M3.2 | 60 km | 24 km |
| Mar 7, 2001 | 6 km NW of Decatur, Tennessee | M3.2 | 144 km | 7 km |
| Mar 7, 2001 | 5 km WNW of Decatur, Tennessee | M3.2 | 142 km | 18 km |
| Aug 1, 2009 | 8 km ENE of Ducktown, Tennessee | M3.2 | 144 km | 5 km |
| May 6, 2010 | 11 km ENE of Whitesboro, Alabama | M3.2 | 38 km | 5 km |
| May 10, 2020 | 7 km SSE of Sewanee, Tennessee | M3.1 | 78 km | 8 km |
| May 2, 2003 | 8 km S of Valley Head, Alabama | M3.1 | 9 km | 15 km |
| Oct 30, 1991 | 9 km NNE of Eton, Georgia | M3.1 | 102 km | 8 km |
| Jan 15, 1993 | 1 km N of Apison, Tennessee | M3.1 | 89 km | 8 km |
| Apr 29, 2003 | 7 km E of Fort Payne, Alabama | M3.1 | 5 km | 3 km |
| Jun 23, 2008 | 10 km ESE of Cohutta, Georgia | M3.1 | 93 km | 9 km |
| Sep 13, 2011 | 1 km NNW of Leeds, Alabama | M3.0 | 128 km | 19 km |
| Nov 1, 2009 | 1 km ESE of South Cleveland, Tennessee | M3.0 | 107 km | 25 km |
| May 4, 1994 | 2 km NNW of Addison, Alabama | M3.0 | 141 km | 19 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 | — | 273 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
562 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 197 fatalities, 2,439 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF5 | 28 km | 36.6 mi | 25 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 43 km | 30.2 mi | 1 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 32 km | 47.0 mi | 14 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 66 km | 48.0 mi | 20 |
| Apr 24, 2010 | EF4 | 13 km | 16.6 mi | 0 |
| Feb 6, 2008 | EF4 | 27 km | 10.9 mi | 1 |
| Nov 24, 2001 | EF4 | 91 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF4 | 71 km | 49.0 mi | 3 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF4 | 92 km | 50.0 mi | 22 |
| Nov 15, 1989 | EF4 | 91 km | 18.5 mi | 21 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 96 km | 27.5 mi | 11 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 59 km | 29.5 mi | 9 |
| May 19, 1973 | EF4 | 6 km | 5.4 mi | 0 |
| Nov 18, 1957 | EF4 | 93 km | 26.1 mi | 3 |
| Feb 13, 1952 | EF4 | 100 km | 12.7 mi | 3 |
| May 8, 2024 | EF3 | 26 km | 12.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 1, 2023 | EF3 | 99 km | 12.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 25, 2021 | EF3 | 92 km | 38.2 mi | 6 |
| Apr 12, 2020 | EF3 | 67 km | 19.3 mi | 2 |
| Mar 19, 2018 | EF3 | 72 km | 35.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (7,740 acres, 2014).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 7,740 | 74 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 6,320 | 81 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 5,844 | 72 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 4,213 | 95 km |
| 2014 | HOUCK CREEK | 3,857 | 81 km |
| 2022 | SC 540C/CHOCCOLOCCO | 3,750 | 70 km |
| 2020 | SC WEST END C AND D | 3,538 | 73 km |
| 2010 | UPPER SHOAL | 3,512 | 76 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 3,410 | 76 km |
| 2018 | HOUCK CREEK | 3,188 | 80 km |
| 2007 | PENTECOST | 3,095 | 48 km |
| 2010 | BANKHEAD I | 3,027 | 85 km |
| 2024 | AL-MLR UNITS 2/3 RX | 2,836 | 81 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,777 | 85 km |
| 1987 | STATEC0045 | 2,669 | 14 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 2,642 | 87 km |
| 2010 | ML 0301 RX BURN | 2,631 | 81 km |
| 2019 | 540C | 2,622 | 72 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,611 | 73 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 2,584 | 80 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 42°F (5°C) | 5.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 43°F (6°C) | 5.3 in | |
| March | 50°F (10°C) | 6.6 in | Wettest |
| April | 58°F (14°C) | 5.2 in | |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 4.8 in | |
| June | 73°F (23°C) | 4.0 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 4.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 76°F (25°C) | 3.6 in | |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 4.5 in | |
| October | 59°F (15°C) | 3.4 in | Driest |
| November | 50°F (10°C) | 4.6 in | |
| December | 42°F (6°C) | 5.6 in |
Fort Payne has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 42°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 58.0 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.6") and October the driest (3.4").