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Weather & Climate in Houghton, IA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Houghton experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. The area gets 275 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 39.2 inches. The area receives 26.6 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 719 feet.
Temperature
24°F Jan (-4°C)
76°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 51.7°F |
| 4% below US avg | |
| January Average | 24°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 275 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 719 ft (219 m) |
| Area | 0.3 sq mi (0.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 290/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.7837°N, 91.6100°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Lee County County |
| Nearest Airport | Southeast Iowa Regional (BRL) 25 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 63.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 43.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 84.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1 earthquake (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M2.9.
| Feb 8, 2004 | 6 km SSW of Stoutsville, Missouri | M2.9 | 145 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
481 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 13 fatalities, 273 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF4 | 68 km | 19.9 mi | 0 |
| May 13, 1995 | EF4 | 34 km | 50.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 24, 1967 | EF4 | 89 km | 25.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF3 | 68 km | 26.1 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 2019 | EF3 | 35 km | 7.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 2007 | EF3 | 65 km | 15.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1999 | EF3 | 68 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1999 | EF3 | 50 km | 7.5 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 1998 | EF3 | 56 km | 47.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 1978 | EF3 | 88 km | 6.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 1974 | EF3 | 58 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 30, 1973 | EF3 | 84 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 1, 1973 | EF3 | 42 km | 3.6 mi | 2 |
| Apr 20, 1973 | EF3 | 54 km | 9.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1967 | EF3 | 36 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 1967 | EF3 | 42 km | 19.4 mi | 2 |
| Jan 24, 1967 | EF3 | 28 km | 4.3 mi | 1 |
| Jan 24, 1967 | EF3 | 41 km | 25.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 20, 1965 | EF3 | 78 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 25, 1965 | EF3 | 28 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
5 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNIT 3 (1,206 acres, 1999).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1999 | UNIT 3 | 1,206 | 57 km |
| 2002 | HSB 03 2 | 1,130 | 57 km |
| 2000 | DESTRUST A | 756 | 57 km |
| 2006 | HSB 003 | 674 | 56 km |
| 2004 | HSB 009 | 608 | 57 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24°F (-4°C) | 1.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 28°F (-2°C) | 1.2 in | Driest |
| March | 40°F (4°C) | 2.8 in | |
| April | 52°F (11°C) | 3.5 in | |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 4.2 in | |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 4.0 in | |
| July | 76°F (24°C) | 4.5 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 66°F (19°C) | 4.4 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 2.9 in | |
| November | 40°F (4°C) | 2.5 in | |
| December | 28°F (-2°C) | 1.9 in |
Houghton has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 24°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 37.2 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.5") and February the driest (1.2").