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Weather & Climate in Highland Lakes, AL
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Highland Lakes 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 860 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 | 860 ft (262 m) |
| Area | 3.8 sq mi (9.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,513/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 33.3976°N, 86.6479°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Shelby County County |
| Nearest Airport | Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International (BHM) 13 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
64 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 | 37 km | 5 km |
| Jun 30, 2015 | 12 km W of Union, Alabama | M3.5 | 138 km | 0 km |
| May 28, 1995 | 14 km WSW of Coker, Alabama | M3.4 | 112 km | 1 km |
| Apr 21, 2009 | 12 km S of Centreville, Alabama | M3.4 | 75 km | 13 km |
| Jul 15, 1995 | 21 km SSW of Berry, Alabama | M3.3 | 95 km | 1 km |
| May 9, 2004 | 8 km WNW of Brantleyville, Alabama | M3.3 | 34 km | 5 km |
| May 6, 2010 | 11 km ENE of Whitesboro, Alabama | M3.2 | 109 km | 5 km |
| Jun 23, 1990 | 12 km E of Vernon, Alabama | M3.2 | 129 km | 1 km |
| Sep 2, 1990 | 12 km NW of Fayette, Alabama | M3.2 | 125 km | 1 km |
| Mar 12, 2015 | 14 km W of Union, Alabama | M3.1 | 140 km | 0 km |
| Apr 29, 2003 | 7 km E of Fort Payne, Alabama | M3.1 | 149 km | 3 km |
| Jun 23, 1990 | 8 km N of Belk, Alabama | M3.1 | 126 km | 6 km |
| Jun 28, 2008 | 7 km WNW of Brookwood, Alabama | M3.1 | 71 km | 5 km |
| Feb 27, 2015 | 11 km WSW of Union, Alabama | M3.1 | 138 km | 0 km |
| Sep 13, 2011 | 1 km NNW of Leeds, Alabama | M3.0 | 20 km | 19 km |
| May 28, 2000 | 3 km NE of Fayette, Alabama | M3.0 | 113 km | 0 km |
| May 28, 2000 | 13 km S of Winfield, Alabama | M3.0 | 118 km | 5 km |
| May 4, 1994 | 12 km NNW of Addison, Alabama | M3.0 | 114 km | 5 km |
| Sep 11, 1992 | 5 km SSE of Riverview, Alabama | M3.0 | 83 km | 7 km |
| May 4, 1994 | 2 km NNW of Addison, Alabama | M3.0 | 105 km | 19 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
5 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2020 | Sally | Category 1 | — | 297 km |
| 2018 | Michael | Category 3 | 92 mph | 292 km |
| 2005 | Dennis | Category 2 | — | 295 km |
| 2004 | Ivan | Category 2 | 81 mph | 243 km |
| 1995 | Opal | Category 1 | 92 mph | 145 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
669 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 216 fatalities, 2,293 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 8, 1998 | EF5 | 65 km | 30.3 mi | 32 |
| Apr 4, 1977 | EF5 | 30 km | 14.7 mi | 22 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 32 km | 97.3 mi | 22 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 97 km | 44.2 mi | 7 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 83 km | 46.9 mi | 6 |
| Nov 24, 2001 | EF4 | 62 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF4 | 58 km | 50.0 mi | 22 |
| Feb 23, 1975 | EF4 | 95 km | 14.4 mi | 1 |
| Mar 6, 1967 | EF4 | 59 km | 20.9 mi | 2 |
| Jan 24, 1964 | EF4 | 22 km | 3.3 mi | 10 |
| Mar 11, 1963 | EF4 | 61 km | 28.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 5, 1963 | EF4 | 30 km | 14.9 mi | 0 |
| Nov 18, 1957 | EF4 | 66 km | 26.1 mi | 3 |
| Nov 17, 1957 | EF4 | 75 km | 7.2 mi | 4 |
| Apr 15, 1956 | EF4 | 32 km | 21.3 mi | 25 |
| May 1, 1953 | EF4 | 70 km | 12.1 mi | 7 |
| Jan 12, 2023 | EF3 | 98 km | 82.3 mi | 7 |
| Mar 30, 2022 | EF3 | 85 km | 29.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 25, 2021 | EF3 | 58 km | 50.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 25, 2021 | EF3 | 61 km | 38.2 mi | 6 |
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 | 54 km |
| 2024 | OAK COMPARTMENT 50/51 RX | 5,018 | 87 km |
| 2019 | OK C-49 | 4,745 | 84 km |
| 2022 | OK TORNADO UNIT | 4,504 | 88 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 4,279 | 77 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 4,199 | 65 km |
| 2022 | OK COMP 40/53 | 4,093 | 93 km |
| 2020 | OK PAYNE LAKE | 4,078 | 93 km |
| 2022 | OK C-1/2/3/4 COMBINED | 3,841 | 85 km |
| 2022 | OK COMP 50/51/52 | 3,786 | 91 km |
| 2024 | OAK COMP 16/17/18 RX | 3,579 | 88 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 3,507 | 78 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 3,482 | 78 km |
| 2021 | OK 234 | 3,482 | 83 km |
| 2010 | WIREGRASS | 3,467 | 53 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 3,414 | 86 km |
| 2022 | OK C-36/38/39 COMBINED | 3,373 | 94 km |
| 1998 | CHEAHA WILDERNESS | 3,299 | 74 km |
| 2021 | OK COMP 33 AND 43 | 3,164 | 88 km |
| 2021 | TL TYLER WEST | 3,148 | 56 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 45°F (7°C) | 5.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 46°F (8°C) | 4.9 in | |
| March | 54°F (12°C) | 6.7 in | Wettest |
| April | 61°F (16°C) | 5.1 in | |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 4.7 in | |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 82°F (28°C) | 5.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 78°F (26°C) | 3.8 in | |
| September | 73°F (23°C) | 4.0 in | |
| October | 62°F (17°C) | 3.2 in | Driest |
| November | 53°F (11°C) | 4.5 in | |
| December | 45°F (7°C) | 4.9 in |
Highland Lakes has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 45°F in January to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 56.7 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.7") and October the driest (3.2").