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Weather & Climate in Helena, AL
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Helena enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 45°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. The area gets 304 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 55.6 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 429 feet.
Temperature
45°F Jan (7°C)
82°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 64.0°F |
| 19% above US avg | |
| January Average | 45°F (7°C) |
| July Average | 82°F (28°C) |
| Sunny Days | 304 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 429 ft (131 m) |
| Area | 20.7 sq mi (53.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 961/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 33.2834°N, 86.8792°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Shelby County County |
| Nearest Airport | Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International (BHM) 21 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 90.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 16.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 74.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
65 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.6.
| Aug 19, 2004 | 8 km W of Brantleyville, Alabama | M3.6 | 12 km | 5 km |
| Jun 30, 2015 | 12 km W of Union, Alabama | M3.5 | 114 km | 0 km |
| Apr 21, 2009 | 12 km S of Centreville, Alabama | M3.4 | 54 km | 13 km |
| May 28, 1995 | 14 km WSW of Coker, Alabama | M3.4 | 89 km | 1 km |
| Jun 24, 1998 | 11 km W of Demopolis, Alabama | M3.4 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Jul 15, 1995 | 21 km SSW of Berry, Alabama | M3.3 | 76 km | 1 km |
| May 9, 2004 | 8 km WNW of Brantleyville, Alabama | M3.3 | 10 km | 5 km |
| May 6, 2010 | 11 km ENE of Whitesboro, Alabama | M3.2 | 132 km | 5 km |
| Sep 2, 1990 | 12 km NW of Fayette, Alabama | M3.2 | 111 km | 1 km |
| Jun 23, 1990 | 12 km E of Vernon, Alabama | M3.2 | 114 km | 1 km |
| Mar 12, 2015 | 14 km W of Union, Alabama | M3.1 | 116 km | 0 km |
| Jun 28, 2008 | 7 km WNW of Brookwood, Alabama | M3.1 | 48 km | 5 km |
| Jun 23, 1990 | 8 km N of Belk, Alabama | M3.1 | 110 km | 6 km |
| Feb 27, 2015 | 11 km WSW of Union, Alabama | M3.1 | 113 km | 0 km |
| May 28, 2000 | 3 km NE of Fayette, Alabama | M3.0 | 99 km | 0 km |
| May 28, 2000 | 13 km S of Winfield, Alabama | M3.0 | 105 km | 5 km |
| May 4, 1994 | 12 km NNW of Addison, Alabama | M3.0 | 118 km | 5 km |
| May 4, 2007 | 4 km SSW of Jasper, Alabama | M3.0 | 69 km | 5 km |
| Mar 20, 2004 | 11 km NW of Wilton, Alabama | M3.0 | 18 km | 0 km |
| Sep 11, 1992 | 5 km SSE of Riverview, Alabama | M3.0 | 59 km | 7 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
7 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2020 | Sally | Category 1 | — | 281 km |
| 2020 | Zeta | Category 1 | — | 283 km |
| 2018 | Michael | Category 3 | 92 mph | 299 km |
| 2005 | Dennis | Category 2 | — | 279 km |
| 2005 | Katrina | Category 1 | 92 mph | 282 km |
| 2004 | Ivan | Category 2 | 81 mph | 223 km |
| 1995 | Opal | Category 1 | 92 mph | 136 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
683 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 220 fatalities, 2,170 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 8, 1998 | EF5 | 46 km | 30.3 mi | 32 |
| Apr 4, 1977 | EF5 | 27 km | 14.7 mi | 22 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 98 km | 44.2 mi | 7 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 89 km | 46.9 mi | 6 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 53 km | 97.3 mi | 22 |
| Nov 24, 2001 | EF4 | 82 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
| Dec 16, 2000 | EF4 | 81 km | 18.0 mi | 11 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF4 | 83 km | 50.0 mi | 22 |
| Feb 23, 1975 | EF4 | 71 km | 14.4 mi | 1 |
| Mar 6, 1967 | EF4 | 54 km | 20.9 mi | 2 |
| Jan 24, 1964 | EF4 | 42 km | 3.3 mi | 10 |
| Mar 11, 1963 | EF4 | 69 km | 28.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 5, 1963 | EF4 | 13 km | 14.9 mi | 0 |
| Nov 18, 1957 | EF4 | 84 km | 26.1 mi | 3 |
| Nov 17, 1957 | EF4 | 74 km | 7.2 mi | 4 |
| Apr 15, 1956 | EF4 | 26 km | 21.3 mi | 25 |
| May 1, 1953 | EF4 | 89 km | 12.1 mi | 7 |
| Jan 12, 2023 | EF3 | 86 km | 82.3 mi | 7 |
| Mar 30, 2022 | EF3 | 64 km | 29.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 25, 2021 | EF3 | 75 km | 11.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (5,157 acres, 2017).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 5,157 | 72 km |
| 2024 | OAK COMPARTMENT 50/51 RX | 5,018 | 62 km |
| 2019 | OK C-49 | 4,745 | 59 km |
| 2022 | OK TORNADO UNIT | 4,504 | 63 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 4,279 | 58 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 4,199 | 88 km |
| 2022 | OK COMP 40/53 | 4,093 | 69 km |
| 2020 | OK PAYNE LAKE | 4,078 | 69 km |
| 2022 | OK C-1/2/3/4 COMBINED | 3,841 | 60 km |
| 2022 | OK COMP 50/51/52 | 3,786 | 66 km |
| 2024 | OAK COMP 16/17/18 RX | 3,579 | 64 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 3,507 | 59 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 3,482 | 60 km |
| 2021 | OK 234 | 3,482 | 59 km |
| 2010 | WIREGRASS | 3,467 | 69 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 3,414 | 62 km |
| 2022 | OK C-36/38/39 COMBINED | 3,373 | 69 km |
| 1998 | CHEAHA WILDERNESS | 3,299 | 97 km |
| 2021 | OK COMP 33 AND 43 | 3,164 | 63 km |
| 2021 | TL TYLER WEST | 3,148 | 77 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 45°F (7°C) | 5.8 in | Coldest |
| February | 46°F (8°C) | 5.3 in | |
| March | 54°F (12°C) | 6.7 in | Wettest |
| April | 61°F (16°C) | 5.2 in | |
| May | 69°F (21°C) | 4.6 in | |
| June | 76°F (24°C) | 4.4 in | |
| July | 82°F (28°C) | 5.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 in | |
| October | 62°F (17°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| November | 53°F (12°C) | 4.5 in | |
| December | 46°F (8°C) | 5.4 in |
Helena has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 45°F in January to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 58.1 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.7") and October the driest (3.1").