Weather & Climate in Leighton, AL

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Leighton enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 82°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 54.2 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 570 feet.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 82°F Jul (28°C)

Annual Average	62.9°F
	16% above US avg
January Average	43°F (6°C)
July Average	82°F (28°C)
Sunny Days	301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	570 ft (174 m)
Area	1.0 sq mi (2.5 km²)
Population Density	329/sq mi
Coordinates	34.6937°N, 87.5243°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Colbert County County
Nearest Airport	Northwest Alabama Regional (MSL) 6 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 54.2"

43% above US avg

Wettest Month (Mar) 6.22"

Driest Month (Aug) 3.27"

Air Quality

AQI Median	41.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	80.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability	69.8 / 100
Community Resilience	68.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Hurricane	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Relatively Moderate
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Relatively High
Heat Wave	Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively High
Ice Storm	Relatively Low
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
Landslide	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

44 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.9.

Dec 8, 2001	5 km SW of Pleasant Groves, Alabama	M3.9	118 km	0 km
Jul 15, 1995	21 km SSW of Berry, Alabama	M3.3	136 km	1 km
Jun 23, 1990	12 km E of Vernon, Alabama	M3.2	111 km	1 km
Sep 2, 1990	12 km NW of Fayette, Alabama	M3.2	111 km	1 km
May 10, 2008	1 km SSE of Sherman, Mississippi	M3.1	126 km	0 km
Jun 23, 1990	8 km N of Belk, Alabama	M3.1	115 km	6 km
May 4, 2007	4 km SSW of Jasper, Alabama	M3.0	102 km	5 km
May 4, 1994	2 km NNW of Addison, Alabama	M3.0	61 km	19 km
May 4, 1994	12 km NNW of Addison, Alabama	M3.0	51 km	5 km
May 28, 2000	3 km NE of Fayette, Alabama	M3.0	113 km	0 km
May 28, 2000	13 km S of Winfield, Alabama	M3.0	102 km	5 km
Jan 5, 2012	11 km NW of Oakman, Alabama	M2.9	101 km	8 km
Jan 2, 2000	4 km SW of Lester, Alabama	M2.9	43 km	10 km
Jan 2, 2000	4 km SW of Lester, Alabama	M2.9	43 km	13 km
Jun 25, 2020	4 km NNW of Berry, Alabama	M2.9	112 km	1 km
Sep 20, 1990	6 km N of Elkmont, Alabama	M2.8	61 km	4 km
May 13, 1999	7 km NW of Elkmont, Alabama	M2.8	55 km	10 km
May 13, 1999	11 km S of Pulaski, Tennessee	M2.8	63 km	20 km
Jun 7, 2005	21 km WNW of Rock Creek, Alabama	M2.8	131 km	5 km
Oct 3, 1993	3 km SW of Oakman, Alabama	M2.8	113 km	10 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

674 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 218 fatalities, 2,469 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Apr 27, 2011	EF5	87 km	132.0 mi	72
Apr 16, 1998	EF5	74 km	69.4 mi	3
Apr 3, 1974	EF5	25 km	52.0 mi	28
Apr 3, 1974	EF5	43 km	83.3 mi	16
Apr 27, 2011	EF4	83 km	46.9 mi	6
Feb 6, 2008	EF4	39 km	16.7 mi	4
Feb 5, 2008	EF4	95 km	16.2 mi	3
May 18, 1995	EF4	34 km	29.0 mi	3
May 18, 1995	EF4	48 km	39.0 mi	1
Nov 15, 1989	EF4	80 km	18.5 mi	21
Apr 3, 1974	EF4	100 km	27.5 mi	11
Nov 17, 1957	EF4	94 km	7.2 mi	4
Apr 24, 1955	EF4	58 km	8.6 mi	5
Mar 22, 1952	EF4	49 km	21.6 mi	4
Feb 29, 1952	EF4	100 km	2.0 mi	2
May 8, 2024	EF3	28 km	3.8 mi	0
Apr 1, 2023	EF3	92 km	12.0 mi	1
Nov 29, 2016	EF3	49 km	6.2 mi	0
Dec 23, 2015	EF3	64 km	48.4 mi	0
Apr 28, 2014	EF3	97 km	8.9 mi	0

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	48 km
2020	BK OWL CREEK	2,838	47 km
2014	UNNAMED	2,822	50 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,764	56 km
2019	UNNAMED	2,710	58 km
2011	GREEN TOWER	2,653	53 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,602	59 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,442	47 km
2015	BIG TREE	2,288	42 km
2018	UNNAMED	2,264	42 km
2010	BALLS MT.	2,229	47 km
2015	UNNAMED	2,160	59 km
2014	UNNAMED	2,143	47 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,114	58 km
2021	BK LEOLA/WARREN	2,007	42 km
2024	BNK MILL CREEK RX	1,959	57 km
2010	STINSON GAP	1,922	41 km
2013	UNNAMED	1,845	42 km
2018	UNNAMED	1,826	42 km
2019	UNNAMED	1,819	52 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	43°F (6°C)	5.0 in
February	43°F (6°C)	4.6 in
March	52°F (11°C)	6.2 in	Wettest
April	60°F (16°C)	4.8 in
May	68°F (20°C)	5.3 in
June	76°F (24°C)	4.4 in
July	82°F (28°C)	4.5 in	Warmest
August	78°F (26°C)	3.3 in	Driest
September	72°F (22°C)	4.3 in
October	61°F (16°C)	3.4 in
November	51°F (11°C)	4.9 in
December	43°F (6°C)	5.7 in	Coldest

Leighton has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 43°F in December to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 56.4 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.2") and August the driest (3.3").

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