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Weather & Climate in Huntsville, AL
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Huntsville enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. The area gets 294 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 49.3 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 640 feet.
Temperature
48°F Jan (9°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 62.8°F |
| 16% above US avg | |
| January Average | 48°F (9°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 294 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 640 ft (195 m) |
| Area | 225.2 sq mi (583.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 972/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.6977°N, 86.6767°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Madison County County |
| Nearest Airport | Huntsville International-Carl T Jones Field (HSV) 7 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 94.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 26.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 83.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Very High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
83 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 | 41 km | 0 km |
| May 6, 2010 | 11 km ENE of Whitesboro, Alabama | M3.2 | 88 km | 5 km |
| Apr 5, 1994 | 10 km N of Trenton, Georgia | M3.2 | 112 km | 24 km |
| Mar 21, 2001 | 7 km ESE of Trenton, Georgia | M3.2 | 114 km | 0 km |
| May 10, 2020 | 7 km SSE of Sewanee, Tennessee | M3.1 | 87 km | 8 km |
| Apr 29, 2003 | 7 km E of Fort Payne, Alabama | M3.1 | 99 km | 3 km |
| May 2, 2003 | 8 km S of Valley Head, Alabama | M3.1 | 101 km | 15 km |
| May 28, 2000 | 13 km S of Winfield, Alabama | M3.0 | 144 km | 5 km |
| May 4, 1994 | 2 km NNW of Addison, Alabama | M3.0 | 71 km | 19 km |
| May 4, 1994 | 12 km NNW of Addison, Alabama | M3.0 | 68 km | 5 km |
| May 4, 2007 | 4 km SSW of Jasper, Alabama | M3.0 | 115 km | 5 km |
| Sep 13, 2011 | 1 km NNW of Leeds, Alabama | M3.0 | 127 km | 19 km |
| May 19, 1997 | 9 km NNW of Trion, Georgia | M2.9 | 121 km | 3 km |
| Mar 28, 1991 | 5 km NNW of Westover, Alabama | M2.9 | 145 km | 28 km |
| Aug 7, 2006 | 8 km NNE of Trenton, Georgia | M2.9 | 114 km | 14 km |
| Jan 2, 2000 | 4 km SW of Lester, Alabama | M2.9 | 55 km | 10 km |
| Jan 5, 2012 | 11 km NW of Oakman, Alabama | M2.9 | 126 km | 8 km |
| Sep 19, 1990 | 6 km NNW of Menlo, Georgia | M2.9 | 110 km | 6 km |
| Jan 2, 2000 | 4 km SW of Lester, Alabama | M2.9 | 54 km | 13 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 | — | 289 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
772 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 197 fatalities, 2,760 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF5 | 73 km | 36.6 mi | 25 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF5 | 78 km | 52.0 mi | 28 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF5 | 34 km | 83.3 mi | 16 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 76 km | 46.9 mi | 6 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 64 km | 47.0 mi | 14 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 71 km | 30.2 mi | 1 |
| Apr 24, 2010 | EF4 | 97 km | 16.6 mi | 0 |
| Feb 6, 2008 | EF4 | 77 km | 10.9 mi | 1 |
| Feb 6, 2008 | EF4 | 65 km | 16.7 mi | 4 |
| Nov 24, 2001 | EF4 | 89 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1995 | EF4 | 81 km | 29.0 mi | 3 |
| May 18, 1995 | EF4 | 36 km | 39.0 mi | 1 |
| Nov 15, 1989 | EF4 | 6 km | 18.5 mi | 21 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 37 km | 27.5 mi | 11 |
| May 19, 1973 | EF4 | 89 km | 5.4 mi | 0 |
| Mar 11, 1963 | EF4 | 91 km | 28.0 mi | 2 |
| Nov 18, 1957 | EF4 | 81 km | 26.1 mi | 3 |
| Nov 17, 1957 | EF4 | 100 km | 7.2 mi | 4 |
| Apr 24, 1955 | EF4 | 52 km | 8.6 mi | 5 |
| Mar 22, 1952 | EF4 | 32 km | 21.6 mi | 4 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (3,112 acres, 2014).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 3,112 | 81 km |
| 2020 | BK OWL CREEK | 2,838 | 68 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 2,822 | 70 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,764 | 80 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 2,710 | 71 km |
| 2011 | GREEN TOWER | 2,653 | 63 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,602 | 72 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,442 | 77 km |
| 2015 | BIG TREE | 2,288 | 80 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 2,264 | 68 km |
| 2010 | BALLS MT. | 2,229 | 87 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 2,160 | 73 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 2,143 | 86 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,114 | 72 km |
| 2021 | BK LEOLA/WARREN | 2,007 | 66 km |
| 2024 | BNK MILL CREEK RX | 1,959 | 80 km |
| 2010 | STINSON GAP | 1,922 | 68 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 1,845 | 70 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 1,826 | 70 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 1,819 | 73 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 48°F (9°C) | 5.1 in | |
| February | 43°F (6°C) | 4.8 in | |
| March | 51°F (11°C) | 6.6 in | Wettest |
| April | 60°F (15°C) | 4.9 in | |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 5.1 in | |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 4.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 78°F (25°C) | 3.4 in | Driest |
| September | 72°F (22°C) | 4.1 in | |
| October | 61°F (16°C) | 3.4 in | |
| November | 50°F (10°C) | 4.8 in | |
| December | 43°F (6°C) | 5.8 in | Coldest |
Huntsville has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 43°F in December to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 57.0 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.6") and August the driest (3.4").