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Weather & Climate in Jefferson, GA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Jefferson enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. The area gets 301 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 52.4 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 844 feet.
Temperature
42°F Jan (6°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 61.2°F |
| 13% above US avg | |
| January Average | 42°F (6°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 301 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 844 ft (257 m) |
| Area | 22.0 sq mi (57.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 620/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.1362°N, 83.6022°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Jackson County County |
| Nearest Airport | Oconee County Regional (CEU) 55 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 44.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 41.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 60.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
52 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.1.
| Feb 15, 2014 | 12 km ENE of Parksville, South Carolina | M4.1 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Jul 5, 1995 | 12 km ESE of Tellico Plains, Tennessee | M3.7 | 143 km | 10 km |
| Jan 18, 2000 | 11 km SSE of Gray, Georgia | M3.5 | 136 km | 19 km |
| Mar 18, 2003 | 11 km S of Rayle, Georgia | M3.5 | 83 km | 5 km |
| Jul 19, 1997 | 12 km E of Cohutta, Georgia | M3.5 | 143 km | 3 km |
| Jan 3, 1992 | 4 km ENE of Willington, South Carolina | M3.4 | 110 km | 3 km |
| Dec 7, 2009 | 4 km WNW of Deepstep, Georgia | M3.2 | 135 km | 7 km |
| Aug 1, 2009 | 8 km ENE of Ducktown, Tennessee | M3.2 | 121 km | 5 km |
| Apr 4, 2009 | 15 km N of Milledgeville, Georgia | M3.1 | 109 km | 0 km |
| Oct 30, 1991 | 9 km NNE of Eton, Georgia | M3.1 | 133 km | 8 km |
| Jun 23, 2008 | 10 km ESE of Cohutta, Georgia | M3.1 | 143 km | 9 km |
| Aug 23, 2025 | 3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina | M3.0 | 140 km | 2 km |
| Feb 16, 2014 | 13 km WNW of Edgefield, South Carolina | M3.0 | 146 km | 7 km |
| Jan 21, 2022 | 16 km NNE of Eton, Georgia | M2.9 | 138 km | 15 km |
| Aug 23, 2025 | 3 km NNW of Coronaca, South Carolina | M2.9 | 138 km | 7 km |
| Sep 18, 1996 | 6 km E of Clarks Hill, South Carolina | M2.8 | 147 km | 14 km |
| Apr 26, 2013 | 9 km E of Lincolnton, Georgia | M2.8 | 120 km | 12 km |
| Dec 10, 2013 | 11 km SSE of Wildwood Lake, Tennessee | M2.8 | 146 km | 8 km |
| Jul 5, 1996 | 7 km WNW of Marble, North Carolina | M2.8 | 124 km | 5 km |
| Apr 6, 2017 | 6 km WSW of Sparta, Georgia | M2.7 | 110 km | 11 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
3 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 1.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2018 | Michael | Category 1 | 92 mph | 228 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 1 | — | 238 km |
| 1985 | Kate | Category 1 | 75 mph | 293 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
400 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 47 fatalities, 1,039 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 72 km | 17.7 mi | 6 |
| Mar 31, 1973 | EF4 | 95 km | 22.6 mi | 7 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF3 | 72 km | 16.7 mi | 1 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 67 km | 37.0 mi | 1 |
| Feb 18, 2009 | EF3 | 85 km | 19.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 20, 1998 | EF3 | 39 km | 4.0 mi | 12 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF3 | 65 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF3 | 62 km | 23.0 mi | 3 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF3 | 70 km | 44.0 mi | 3 |
| Nov 22, 1992 | EF3 | 57 km | 10.0 mi | 1 |
| Nov 15, 1989 | EF3 | 54 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 24, 1975 | EF3 | 95 km | 14.8 mi | 3 |
| Apr 8, 1974 | EF3 | 84 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 13, 1973 | EF3 | 31 km | 9.5 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 1973 | EF3 | 30 km | 18.7 mi | 1 |
| May 27, 1973 | EF3 | 95 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jan 10, 1972 | EF3 | 90 km | 6.3 mi | 1 |
| Apr 2, 1970 | EF3 | 54 km | 6.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 21, 1962 | EF3 | 75 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF2 | 70 km | 9.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ROCK MOUNTAIN (25,224 acres, 2016).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2016 | ROCK MOUNTAIN | 25,224 | 95 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 5,084 | 52 km |
| 2010 | COMPT 163 | 4,755 | 89 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 3,298 | 73 km |
| 2020 | CHAMBERS-GRAPE-HICKORY AP | 2,421 | 84 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 2,286 | 63 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 2,201 | 45 km |
| 2010 | BRAMLETT RIDGE | 2,200 | 79 km |
| 2023 | BRAMLETT RIDGE FY 23 | 2,172 | 79 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 2,133 | 79 km |
| 2023 | TRAIL RIDGE FY23 | 2,085 | 72 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 1,998 | 72 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,911 | 79 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,879 | 88 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 1,873 | 88 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,803 | 70 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 1,778 | 94 km |
| 2010 | COMPT 155 | 1,775 | 84 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 1,767 | 97 km |
| 2023 | SLICK SHOALS RX FY23 | 1,760 | 70 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 42°F (6°C) | 5.2 in | Coldest |
| February | 45°F (7°C) | 4.6 in | |
| March | 53°F (12°C) | 5.7 in | Wettest |
| April | 60°F (16°C) | 4.2 in | |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 4.3 in | |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 4.0 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 4.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 78°F (25°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 72°F (22°C) | 3.5 in | Driest |
| October | 61°F (16°C) | 3.7 in | |
| November | 52°F (11°C) | 3.8 in | |
| December | 45°F (7°C) | 4.3 in |
Jefferson has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 42°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 51.8 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.7") and September the driest (3.5").