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Weather & Climate in Highland Lake, AL
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Highland Lake enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 81°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 57.4 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 960 feet.
Temperature
43°F Jan (6°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 62.3°F |
| 15% above US avg | |
| January Average | 43°F (6°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 304 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 960 ft (293 m) |
| Area | 2.0 sq mi (5.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 317/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 33.8946°N, 86.4226°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Blount County County |
| Nearest Airport | Northeast Alabama Regional (GAD) 20 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 68.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 69.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 15.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
91 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 | 99 km | 20 km |
| Dec 8, 2001 | 5 km SW of Pleasant Groves, Alabama | M3.9 | 92 km | 0 km |
| Aug 19, 2004 | 8 km W of Brantleyville, Alabama | M3.6 | 92 km | 5 km |
| Apr 21, 2009 | 12 km S of Centreville, Alabama | M3.4 | 134 km | 13 km |
| Jul 15, 1995 | 21 km SSW of Berry, Alabama | M3.3 | 124 km | 1 km |
| May 9, 2004 | 8 km WNW of Brantleyville, Alabama | M3.3 | 89 km | 5 km |
| Sep 2, 1990 | 12 km NW of Fayette, Alabama | M3.2 | 140 km | 1 km |
| Apr 5, 1994 | 10 km N of Trenton, Georgia | M3.2 | 147 km | 24 km |
| Mar 21, 2001 | 7 km ESE of Trenton, Georgia | M3.2 | 139 km | 0 km |
| May 6, 2010 | 11 km ENE of Whitesboro, Alabama | M3.2 | 55 km | 5 km |
| Jun 23, 1990 | 12 km E of Vernon, Alabama | M3.2 | 144 km | 1 km |
| May 10, 2020 | 7 km SSE of Sewanee, Tennessee | M3.1 | 147 km | 8 km |
| May 2, 2003 | 8 km S of Valley Head, Alabama | M3.1 | 100 km | 15 km |
| Apr 29, 2003 | 7 km E of Fort Payne, Alabama | M3.1 | 94 km | 3 km |
| Jun 28, 2008 | 7 km WNW of Brookwood, Alabama | M3.1 | 113 km | 5 km |
| Jun 23, 1990 | 8 km N of Belk, Alabama | M3.1 | 142 km | 6 km |
| Sep 11, 1992 | 5 km SSE of Riverview, Alabama | M3.0 | 128 km | 7 km |
| Sep 13, 2011 | 1 km NNW of Leeds, Alabama | M3.0 | 39 km | 19 km |
| May 4, 2007 | 4 km SSW of Jasper, Alabama | M3.0 | 82 km | 5 km |
| May 28, 2000 | 3 km NE of Fayette, Alabama | M3.0 | 130 km | 0 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 | — | 200 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
719 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 255 fatalities, 2,949 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF5 | 69 km | 36.6 mi | 25 |
| Apr 4, 1977 | EF5 | 63 km | 14.7 mi | 22 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 58 km | 46.9 mi | 6 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 90 km | 47.0 mi | 14 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 28 km | 97.3 mi | 22 |
| Apr 24, 2010 | EF4 | 82 km | 16.6 mi | 0 |
| Feb 6, 2008 | EF4 | 98 km | 16.7 mi | 4 |
| Nov 24, 2001 | EF4 | 3 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF4 | 32 km | 50.0 mi | 22 |
| Nov 15, 1989 | EF4 | 87 km | 18.5 mi | 21 |
| May 19, 1973 | EF4 | 89 km | 5.4 mi | 0 |
| Mar 6, 1967 | EF4 | 72 km | 20.9 mi | 2 |
| Jan 24, 1964 | EF4 | 64 km | 3.3 mi | 10 |
| Mar 11, 1963 | EF4 | 44 km | 28.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 5, 1963 | EF4 | 77 km | 14.9 mi | 0 |
| Nov 18, 1957 | EF4 | 13 km | 26.1 mi | 3 |
| Nov 17, 1957 | EF4 | 70 km | 7.2 mi | 4 |
| Apr 15, 1956 | EF4 | 67 km | 21.3 mi | 25 |
| Apr 24, 1955 | EF4 | 77 km | 8.6 mi | 5 |
| May 1, 1953 | EF4 | 88 km | 12.1 mi | 7 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (7,740 acres, 2014).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 7,740 | 78 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 6,320 | 83 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 5,844 | 84 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 5,157 | 81 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 4,199 | 71 km |
| 2014 | HOUCK CREEK | 3,857 | 81 km |
| 2022 | SC 540C/CHOCCOLOCCO | 3,750 | 81 km |
| 2020 | SC WEST END C AND D | 3,538 | 76 km |
| 2010 | UPPER SHOAL | 3,512 | 83 km |
| 2010 | WIREGRASS | 3,467 | 83 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 3,410 | 79 km |
| 1998 | CHEAHA WILDERNESS | 3,299 | 75 km |
| 2018 | HOUCK CREEK | 3,188 | 79 km |
| 2021 | TL TYLER WEST | 3,148 | 70 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 3,112 | 99 km |
| 2007 | PENTECOST | 3,095 | 70 km |
| 2010 | BANKHEAD I | 3,027 | 78 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,871 | 73 km |
| 2020 | BK OWL CREEK | 2,838 | 92 km |
| 2024 | AL-MLR UNITS 2/3 RX | 2,836 | 65 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 43°F (6°C) | 5.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 44°F (7°C) | 5.1 in | |
| March | 52°F (11°C) | 6.6 in | Wettest |
| April | 59°F (15°C) | 5.4 in | |
| May | 67°F (19°C) | 4.8 in | |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 4.0 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 5.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 3.5 in | |
| September | 71°F (22°C) | 4.4 in | |
| October | 60°F (16°C) | 3.2 in | Driest |
| November | 51°F (10°C) | 4.5 in | |
| December | 43°F (6°C) | 5.2 in |
Highland Lake has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 43°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 57.7 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.6") and October the driest (3.2").