All Countries
Weather & Climate in Helen, GA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Helen enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area gets 302 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 72.7 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.5 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 44. The city sits at an elevation of 1,815 feet.
Temperature
39°F Jan (4°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 57.4°F |
| 6% above US avg | |
| January Average | 39°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 302 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,815 ft (553 m) |
| Area | 2.2 sq mi (5.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 225/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.7084°N, 83.7276°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | White County County |
| Nearest Airport | Oconee County Regional (CEU) 48 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 44.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 45.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 40.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 23.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
135 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.1.
| May 10, 2025 | 21 km SE of Greenback, Tennessee | M4.1 | 96 km | 25 km |
| Jul 5, 1995 | 12 km ESE of Tellico Plains, Tennessee | M3.7 | 80 km | 10 km |
| Jun 17, 1998 | 9 km SSE of Coalfield, Tennessee | M3.6 | 150 km | 11 km |
| Jul 19, 1997 | 12 km E of Cohutta, Georgia | M3.5 | 103 km | 3 km |
| Mar 18, 2003 | 11 km S of Rayle, Georgia | M3.5 | 137 km | 5 km |
| Jun 16, 2006 | 9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina | M3.4 | 101 km | 1 km |
| Jan 3, 1992 | 4 km ENE of Willington, South Carolina | M3.4 | 145 km | 3 km |
| Mar 18, 1995 | 10 km SE of Dayton, Tennessee | M3.3 | 136 km | 26 km |
| Apr 11, 2006 | 5 km NE of Etowah, Tennessee | M3.3 | 100 km | 20 km |
| Aug 31, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Friendsville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 124 km | 14 km |
| Apr 20, 2010 | 4 km SW of Maryville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 116 km | 2 km |
| Jun 4, 2023 | 4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina | M3.2 | 124 km | 0 km |
| May 10, 2006 | 3 km WNW of Madisonville, Tennessee | M3.2 | 110 km | 25 km |
| Jul 26, 2001 | 11 km S of New Market, Tennessee | M3.2 | 145 km | 17 km |
| Mar 7, 2001 | 6 km NW of Decatur, Tennessee | M3.2 | 139 km | 7 km |
| Mar 7, 2001 | 5 km WNW of Decatur, Tennessee | M3.2 | 137 km | 18 km |
| Jul 26, 2001 | 11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee | M3.2 | 141 km | 14 km |
| Aug 1, 2009 | 8 km ENE of Ducktown, Tennessee | M3.2 | 65 km | 5 km |
| Jan 15, 1993 | 1 km N of Apison, Tennessee | M3.1 | 124 km | 8 km |
| Jun 23, 2008 | 10 km ESE of Cohutta, Georgia | M3.1 | 105 km | 9 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
2 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 1.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2018 | Michael | Category 1 | — | 291 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 1 | — | 240 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
344 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 36 fatalities, 681 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 96 km | 14.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 67 km | 17.7 mi | 6 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 59 km | 24.0 mi | 4 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF3 | 60 km | 16.7 mi | 1 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 20 km | 37.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 20, 1998 | EF3 | 40 km | 4.0 mi | 12 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF3 | 51 km | 44.0 mi | 3 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF3 | 32 km | 23.0 mi | 3 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF3 | 28 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 22, 1992 | EF3 | 24 km | 10.0 mi | 1 |
| Nov 15, 1989 | EF3 | 15 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1974 | EF3 | 95 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 13, 1973 | EF3 | 47 km | 9.5 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 1973 | EF3 | 94 km | 18.7 mi | 1 |
| Apr 2, 1970 | EF3 | 67 km | 6.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 21, 1962 | EF3 | 87 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 23, 2022 | EF2 | 84 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| Oct 8, 2017 | EF2 | 89 km | 8.4 mi | 0 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF2 | 90 km | 14.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF2 | 65 km | 21.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ROUGH RIDGE (27,610 acres, 2016).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2016 | ROUGH RIDGE | 27,610 | 82 km |
| 2016 | ROCK MOUNTAIN | 25,224 | 37 km |
| 2016 | TELLICO | 14,172 | 67 km |
| 2016 | BOTELER | 8,626 | 40 km |
| 2024 | RX - T26 BRUSHY RIDGE | 8,324 | 79 km |
| 2016 | PINNACLE MOUNTAIN | 7,869 | 100 km |
| 2016 | MAPLE SPRINGS | 7,696 | 78 km |
| 2001 | SHARP | 6,039 | 92 km |
| 2024 | RX - T10 MILLER RIDGE | 5,154 | 88 km |
| 2024 | RX - O63 CHESTNUT MTN | 4,570 | 85 km |
| 2013 | BEAVER DAM | 4,336 | 71 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 3,888 | 87 km |
| 2021 | DUTCH CREEK | 3,845 | 86 km |
| 2019 | COW CAMP | 3,786 | 87 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 3,298 | 39 km |
| 2016 | CAMP BRANCH | 3,234 | 55 km |
| 2023 | PANTHER KNOB | 3,170 | 49 km |
| 2019 | JACK DAVIS/DOGWOOD SPRINGS RX | 3,120 | 55 km |
| 2010 | COW CAMP-A | 2,953 | 87 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 2,933 | 94 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 39°F (4°C) | 6.3 in | Coldest |
| February | 40°F (5°C) | 5.9 in | |
| March | 48°F (9°C) | 7.1 in | Wettest |
| April | 55°F (13°C) | 5.2 in | |
| May | 62°F (17°C) | 5.8 in | |
| June | 69°F (20°C) | 5.1 in | |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 5.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 5.2 in | |
| September | 66°F (19°C) | 5.0 in | |
| October | 56°F (14°C) | 4.6 in | Driest |
| November | 48°F (9°C) | 5.5 in | |
| December | 40°F (5°C) | 5.8 in |
Helen has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 39°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 67.0 inches, with March being the wettest month (7.1") and October the driest (4.6").