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Weather & Climate in Ideal, GA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Ideal enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 47°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 53.4 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 44. The city sits at an elevation of 402 feet.
Temperature
47°F Jan (8°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 64.2°F |
| 19% above US avg | |
| January Average | 47°F (8°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 304 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 402 ft (123 m) |
| Area | 1.2 sq mi (3.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 568/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 32.3729°N, 84.1890°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Macon County County |
| Nearest Airport | Middle Georgia Regional (MCN) 38 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 44.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 32.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 97.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 9.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
9 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.5.
| Jan 18, 2000 | 11 km SSE of Gray, Georgia | M3.5 | 91 km | 19 km |
| Dec 7, 2009 | 4 km WNW of Deepstep, Georgia | M3.2 | 132 km | 7 km |
| Apr 4, 2009 | 15 km N of Milledgeville, Georgia | M3.1 | 131 km | 0 km |
| Apr 6, 2017 | 6 km WSW of Sparta, Georgia | M2.7 | 146 km | 11 km |
| Jul 4, 2012 | 11 km NNE of Deepstep, Georgia | M2.7 | 144 km | 10 km |
| Sep 12, 2022 | 13 km NE of Jackson, Georgia | M2.5 | 116 km | 1 km |
| Apr 6, 2017 | 6 km WSW of Sparta, Georgia | M2.5 | 146 km | 10 km |
| Mar 4, 1996 | 9 km SW of Soperton, Georgia | M2.5 | 143 km | 1 km |
| May 17, 1997 | 9 km SW of Soperton, Georgia | M2.5 | 143 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
8 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 5.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2024 | Helene | Category 4 | 138 mph | 146 km |
| 2024 | Debby | Category 1 | 81 mph | 285 km |
| 2023 | Idalia | Category 3 | 115 mph | 210 km |
| 2018 | Michael | Category 5 | 161 mph | 41 km |
| 2016 | Hermine | Category 1 | 81 mph | 231 km |
| 1998 | Earl | Category 1 | 81 mph | 291 km |
| 1995 | Opal | Category 3 | 115 mph | 220 km |
| 1985 | Kate | Category 2 | 98 mph | 117 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
488 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 56 fatalities, 1,020 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 30, 1953 | EF4 | 61 km | 1.0 mi | 18 |
| Jan 12, 2023 | EF3 | 92 km | 31.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 5, 2022 | EF3 | 58 km | 3.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF3 | 55 km | 16.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF3 | 75 km | 5.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 29, 2014 | EF3 | 99 km | 11.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 96 km | 21.7 mi | 2 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 70 km | 30.8 mi | 2 |
| Mar 1, 2007 | EF3 | 61 km | 43.2 mi | 2 |
| Mar 1, 2007 | EF3 | 46 km | 9.7 mi | 0 |
| Jan 2, 2006 | EF3 | 90 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 1999 | EF3 | 41 km | 14.5 mi | 0 |
| Feb 18, 1975 | EF3 | 31 km | 9.7 mi | 2 |
| Apr 23, 1971 | EF3 | 79 km | 13.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 23, 1971 | EF3 | 43 km | 13.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 25, 1964 | EF3 | 43 km | 0.1 mi | 2 |
| Mar 31, 1961 | EF3 | 79 km | 8.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 31, 1961 | EF3 | 45 km | 1.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 13, 1954 | EF3 | 79 km | 7.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 13, 1954 | EF3 | 24 km | 49.5 mi | 5 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (5,397 acres, 2004).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 5,397 | 52 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 3,808 | 99 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 3,429 | 63 km |
| 2007 | 14A-14B-15A-16E-17E | 3,397 | 94 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 3,210 | 64 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 2,992 | 46 km |
| 2006 | 10 A 11 E 11 W RX BURN | 2,969 | 98 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 2,754 | 71 km |
| 1988 | COMP 10 | 2,588 | 97 km |
| 2010 | COMPT 2 | 2,505 | 89 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 2,501 | 53 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 2,487 | 67 km |
| 1999 | COMP 1312 | 2,401 | 97 km |
| 2018 | COMPARTMENT 4 5 6 7 8 | 2,386 | 89 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 2,294 | 100 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 2,201 | 52 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 2,198 | 50 km |
| 2009 | 30 | 2,195 | 88 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 2,063 | 78 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 2,027 | 56 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 47°F (8°C) | 4.8 in | Coldest |
| February | 49°F (9°C) | 4.7 in | |
| March | 57°F (14°C) | 5.0 in | Wettest |
| April | 63°F (17°C) | 3.7 in | |
| May | 71°F (21°C) | 3.5 in | |
| June | 77°F (25°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 4.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 4.3 in | |
| September | 75°F (24°C) | 3.0 in | |
| October | 65°F (18°C) | 2.2 in | Driest |
| November | 56°F (13°C) | 3.2 in | |
| December | 49°F (9°C) | 4.3 in |
Ideal has a seasonal temperature swing of 34°F / from 47°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.5 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.0") and October the driest (2.2").