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Weather & Climate in La Fayette, AL
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
La Fayette enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 79°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 56.5 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 846 feet.
Temperature
43°F Jan (6°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 61.2°F |
| 13% above US avg | |
| January Average | 43°F (6°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 304 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 846 ft (258 m) |
| Area | 8.9 sq mi (23.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 301/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 32.8994°N, 85.4008°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Chambers County County |
| Nearest Airport | Auburn University Regional (AUO) 20 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 47.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 79.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 41.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
17 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.6.
| Aug 19, 2004 | 8 km W of Brantleyville, Alabama | M3.6 | 150 km | 5 km |
| May 9, 2004 | 8 km WNW of Brantleyville, Alabama | M3.3 | 150 km | 5 km |
| Mar 20, 2004 | 11 km NW of Wilton, Alabama | M3.0 | 150 km | 0 km |
| Sep 13, 2011 | 1 km NNW of Leeds, Alabama | M3.0 | 130 km | 19 km |
| Feb 17, 1991 | 6 km N of Goldville, Alabama | M2.9 | 44 km | 1 km |
| Mar 28, 1991 | 5 km NNW of Westover, Alabama | M2.9 | 120 km | 28 km |
| Sep 14, 2011 | 0 km WNW of Trussville, Alabama | M2.6 | 138 km | 11 km |
| Apr 15, 2001 | 9 km E of Bon Air, Alabama | M2.6 | 88 km | 5 km |
| Apr 15, 2001 | 12 km SW of Talladega, Alabama | M2.6 | 91 km | 11 km |
| May 28, 2004 | 2 km WNW of Brantleyville, Alabama | M2.6 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Sep 14, 2011 | 4 km ESE of Trussville, Alabama | M2.5 | 133 km | 11 km |
| May 26, 2004 | 3 km NNW of Brantleyville, Alabama | M2.5 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Oct 11, 1999 | 5 km WSW of Highland Lake, Alabama | M2.5 | 146 km | 0 km |
| Mar 17, 2009 | 5 km W of Ragland, Alabama | M2.5 | 121 km | 8 km |
| Oct 6, 2003 | 11 km SW of Talladega, Alabama | M2.5 | 92 km | 0 km |
| Jan 4, 2008 | 14 km N of Hollins, Alabama | M2.5 | 77 km | 0 km |
| May 11, 1998 | 2 km SSE of Glencoe, Alabama | M2.5 | 125 km | 2 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
6 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 3.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2024 | Helene | Category 2 | 109 mph | 266 km |
| 2018 | Michael | Category 4 | 155 mph | 167 km |
| 2005 | Dennis | Category 3 | 121 mph | 294 km |
| 2004 | Ivan | Category 3 | 121 mph | 273 km |
| 1995 | Opal | Category 3 | 115 mph | 136 km |
| 1985 | Kate | Category 1 | 92 mph | 237 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
498 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 69 fatalities, 1,210 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 25, 2021 | EF4 | 44 km | 38.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 3, 2019 | EF4 | 51 km | 68.0 mi | 23 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 80 km | 44.2 mi | 7 |
| May 1, 1953 | EF4 | 61 km | 12.1 mi | 7 |
| Mar 26, 2023 | EF3 | 20 km | 21.5 mi | 0 |
| Jan 12, 2023 | EF3 | 91 km | 31.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF3 | 100 km | 16.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 29, 2014 | EF3 | 51 km | 11.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 82 km | 21.7 mi | 2 |
| Feb 26, 2008 | EF3 | 74 km | 7.2 mi | 0 |
| Jan 2, 2006 | EF3 | 93 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 18, 1996 | EF3 | 64 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 5, 1989 | EF3 | 68 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 3, 1983 | EF3 | 86 km | 4.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 1, 1981 | EF3 | 72 km | 0.1 mi | 2 |
| Nov 25, 1979 | EF3 | 98 km | 10.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 1976 | EF3 | 70 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Jan 26, 1974 | EF3 | 26 km | 21.3 mi | 1 |
| Apr 2, 1970 | EF3 | 74 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 19, 1970 | EF3 | 20 km | 2.0 mi | 2 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (13,987 acres, 2006).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 13,987 | 78 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 10,827 | 81 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 7,788 | 81 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 6,753 | 92 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 6,320 | 95 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 5,854 | 78 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 5,600 | 92 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 5,442 | 94 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 5,397 | 79 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 5,157 | 75 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 4,199 | 75 km |
| 2014 | HOUCK CREEK | 3,857 | 95 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 3,733 | 94 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 3,694 | 99 km |
| 2010 | UPPER SHOAL | 3,512 | 99 km |
| 2010 | WIREGRASS | 3,467 | 76 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 3,429 | 81 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 3,410 | 99 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 3,362 | 71 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 3,305 | 83 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 43°F (6°C) | 5.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 47°F (8°C) | 5.5 in | |
| March | 55°F (13°C) | 6.5 in | Wettest |
| April | 61°F (16°C) | 5.0 in | |
| May | 69°F (20°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 76°F (24°C) | 4.0 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 5.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 78°F (26°C) | 3.7 in | |
| September | 73°F (23°C) | 3.7 in | |
| October | 63°F (17°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| November | 54°F (12°C) | 4.2 in | |
| December | 47°F (8°C) | 5.4 in |
La Fayette has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 43°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 56.1 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.5") and October the driest (3.1").