Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Jamaica experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 75°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 36.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 1,040 feet.
Temperature
20°F Jan (-7°C)75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average
48.9°F
9% below US avg
January Average
20°F (-7°C)
July Average
75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days
275 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
1,040 ft (317 m)
Area
0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²)
Population Density
546/sq mi
Coordinates
41.8454°N, 94.3070°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Guthrie County County
Nearest Airport
Des Moines International (DSM) 39 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall36.1"
5% below US avg
Wettest Month (Jun)4.72"
Driest Month (Jan)0.83"
Air Quality
AQI Median
43.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Very Low
Risk Score
26.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability
10.6 / 100
Community Resilience
85.9 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
Hurricane
Very Low
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Very Low
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Low
Heat Wave
Very Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Low
Lightning
Very Low
Ice Storm
Relatively Low
Drought
Relatively High
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: M2.7.
Jun 30, 2021
4 km E of Rembrandt, Iowa
M2.7
127 km
10 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
711 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 22 fatalities, 337 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Jun 13, 1976
EF5
37 km
21.3 mi
0
Jun 27, 1953
EF5
55 km
0.1 mi
1
Mar 5, 2022
EF4
69 km
70.6 mi
6
Apr 8, 1999
EF4
91 km
56.0 mi
0
May 27, 1995
EF4
55 km
36.0 mi
0
May 27, 1995
EF4
87 km
57.0 mi
0
May 27, 1995
EF4
29 km
30.0 mi
0
May 24, 1989
EF4
59 km
66.0 mi
0
Sep 28, 1986
EF4
60 km
20.0 mi
0
Jun 28, 1979
EF4
91 km
14.9 mi
3
May 4, 1977
EF4
77 km
2.0 mi
0
Jun 18, 1974
EF4
58 km
15.3 mi
2
Jun 8, 1967
EF4
76 km
2.0 mi
0
May 5, 1965
EF4
52 km
9.9 mi
0
May 10, 1959
EF4
47 km
41.1 mi
0
Jun 9, 1954
EF4
59 km
9.9 mi
1
Jul 14, 2021
EF3
61 km
10.8 mi
0
Aug 20, 2019
EF3
92 km
5.4 mi
0
Apr 9, 2011
EF3
99 km
10.1 mi
0
Nov 12, 2005
EF3
41 km
17.6 mi
1
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: NEAL SMITH WUI 2016 1 (1,050 acres, 2016).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2016
NEAL SMITH WUI 2016 1
1,050
90 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
20°F (-7°C)
0.8 in
Coldest, Driest
February
25°F (-4°C)
0.9 in
March
37°F (3°C)
2.1 in
April
50°F (10°C)
3.1 in
May
61°F (16°C)
4.2 in
June
71°F (21°C)
4.7 in
Wettest
July
75°F (24°C)
3.8 in
Warmest
August
72°F (22°C)
4.0 in
September
64°F (18°C)
3.5 in
October
52°F (11°C)
2.5 in
November
36°F (2°C)
1.6 in
December
23°F (-5°C)
1.1 in
Jamaica has a seasonal temperature swing of 55°F / from 20°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 32.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.7") and January the driest (0.8").