Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Hickory enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 45°F in January while summers reach 80°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 58.2 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 327 feet.
Temperature
45°F Jan (7°C)80°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average
63.2°F
17% above US avg
January Average
45°F (7°C)
July Average
80°F (26°C)
Sunny Days
304 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
327 ft (100 m)
Area
0.9 sq mi (2.4 km²)
Population Density
502/sq mi
Coordinates
32.3167°N, 89.0217°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Newton County County
Nearest Airport
Hattiesburg/Laurel Regional (PIB) 62 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall58.2"
53% above US avg
Wettest Month (Mar)6.50"
Driest Month (Oct)3.35"
Air Quality
AQI Median
43.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
52.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability
94.4 / 100
Community Resilience
32.2 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Moderate
Hurricane
Relatively Low
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Low
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Low
Lightning
Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm
Relatively Low
Drought
Relatively Low
Cold Wave
Relatively Moderate
Landslide
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
29 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M3.7.
Jul 16, 1993
2 km SSW of Silas, Alabama
M3.7
90 km
5 km
Jun 30, 2015
12 km W of Union, Alabama
M3.5
118 km
0 km
Mar 25, 1996
11 km NNE of Quitman, Mississippi
M3.5
39 km
5 km
May 28, 1995
14 km WSW of Coker, Alabama
M3.4
148 km
1 km
Jun 24, 1998
11 km W of Demopolis, Alabama
M3.4
102 km
5 km
Mar 22, 2005
9 km NNE of Coffeeville, Alabama
M3.3
105 km
5 km
May 3, 2015
7 km SSW of Canton, Mississippi
M3.2
103 km
5 km
Jun 29, 2015
6 km SSW of Canton, Mississippi
M3.2
103 km
5 km
Mar 12, 2015
14 km W of Union, Alabama
M3.1
115 km
0 km
May 16, 2008
10 km W of Coffeeville, Alabama
M3.1
98 km
5 km
Feb 27, 2015
11 km WSW of Union, Alabama
M3.1
117 km
0 km
May 21, 2002
7 km ESE of York, Alabama
M3.0
77 km
27 km
Mar 15, 2025
5 km NNE of Magee, Mississippi
M3.0
78 km
10 km
May 3, 2015
8 km WSW of Canton, Mississippi
M3.0
107 km
5 km
May 7, 1998
9 km SSE of Bellamy, Alabama
M2.8
86 km
10 km
Aug 9, 2019
Mississippi
M2.8
97 km
5 km
Feb 19, 2015
14 km W of Union, Alabama
M2.8
116 km
0 km
Aug 13, 2015
9 km WSW of Union, Alabama
M2.7
118 km
1 km
Feb 19, 2015
13 km W of Union, Alabama
M2.7
119 km
0 km
Jun 6, 2015
9 km W of Union, Alabama
M2.7
120 km
1 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
12 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980.
Strongest on record: Category 3.
Year
Name
Category
Max Wind
Closest
2021
Ida
Category 3
121 mph
255 km
2020
Sally
Category 2
109 mph
228 km
2020
Zeta
Category 2
98 mph
103 km
2017
Nate
Category 1
75 mph
213 km
2005
Dennis
Category 3
127 mph
235 km
2005
Katrina
Category 3
121 mph
58 km
2004
Ivan
Category 3
121 mph
161 km
1998
Georges
Category 2
104 mph
191 km
1997
Danny
Category 1
81 mph
238 km
1995
Opal
Category 3
115 mph
239 km
1995
Erin
Category 2
98 mph
239 km
1985
Elena
Category 3
121 mph
194 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
759 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 68 fatalities, 1,228 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Apr 27, 2011
EF5
54 km
28.3 mi
3
Apr 28, 2014
EF4
73 km
33.4 mi
10
Apr 27, 2011
EF4
56 km
122.0 mi
7
Nov 22, 1992
EF4
70 km
40.0 mi
0
Feb 28, 1987
EF4
93 km
35.0 mi
6
Mar 12, 1986
EF4
26 km
23.0 mi
0
Feb 23, 1977
EF4
81 km
15.0 mi
2
Dec 2, 1967
EF4
45 km
7.6 mi
2
May 1, 1953
EF4
61 km
0.1 mi
2
Jun 18, 2023
EF3
42 km
6.5 mi
1
Mar 22, 2022
EF3
34 km
9.2 mi
0
Dec 16, 2019
EF3
85 km
18.6 mi
0
Dec 16, 2019
EF3
73 km
61.2 mi
0
Apr 28, 2014
EF3
41 km
4.3 mi
0
Apr 28, 2014
EF3
64 km
10.5 mi
0
Apr 11, 2013
EF3
39 km
66.4 mi
1
Oct 17, 2012
EF3
43 km
14.4 mi
0
Apr 27, 2011
EF3
15 km
10.3 mi
0
Apr 27, 2011
EF3
66 km
8.9 mi
0
Apr 27, 2011
EF3
97 km
72.1 mi
7
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: UNNAMED (5,062 acres, 2005).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2005
UNNAMED
5,062
84 km
2013
UNNAMED
4,999
87 km
2021
CHICKASAWHAY - CPT 398 399
4,697
88 km
2014
BIEN 75-78
4,658
48 km
2021
BIENVILLE - CPT 38-39-40
4,545
56 km
2005
UNNAMED
4,500
85 km
2018
UNNAMED
4,245
88 km
2014
UNNAMED
4,189
98 km
2010
CPT 341
4,101
81 km
2005
UNNAMED
4,097
95 km
2018
UNNAMED
4,007
55 km
2021
UNNAMED
3,956
84 km
2005
UNNAMED
3,794
84 km
2010
COMP 222-223-224
3,745
49 km
2005
UNNAMED
3,556
94 km
2017
UNNAMED
3,547
66 km
2010
CPT 393
3,474
85 km
2010
CPT 343
3,474
80 km
2022
UNNAMED
3,432
98 km
2020
UNNAMED
3,345
96 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
45°F (7°C)
5.4 in
Coldest
February
49°F (9°C)
5.4 in
March
56°F (13°C)
6.5 in
Wettest
April
63°F (17°C)
5.6 in
May
70°F (21°C)
4.4 in
June
77°F (25°C)
3.6 in
July
80°F (26°C)
5.1 in
Warmest
August
80°F (26°C)
4.0 in
September
75°F (24°C)
3.7 in
October
64°F (18°C)
3.4 in
Driest
November
55°F (13°C)
4.6 in
December
48°F (9°C)
5.9 in
Hickory has a seasonal temperature swing of 34°F / from 45°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 57.5 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.5") and October the driest (3.4").