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Weather & Climate in Lester, AL
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Lester enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 41°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 58.5 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 813 feet.
Temperature
41°F Jan (5°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 61.0°F |
| 13% above US avg | |
| January Average | 41°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 301 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 813 ft (248 m) |
| Area | 1.8 sq mi (4.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 68/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.9828°N, 87.1555°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Lauderdale County County |
| Nearest Airport | Pryor Field Regional (DCU) 26 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 85.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 46.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 61.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| 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 Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
42 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.6.
| Apr 29, 2003 | 8 km S of Valley Head, Alabama | M4.6 | 150 km | 20 km |
| Dec 8, 2001 | 5 km SW of Pleasant Groves, Alabama | M3.9 | 90 km | 0 km |
| May 6, 2010 | 11 km ENE of Whitesboro, Alabama | M3.2 | 142 km | 5 km |
| May 10, 2020 | 7 km SSE of Sewanee, Tennessee | M3.1 | 116 km | 8 km |
| May 28, 2000 | 13 km S of Winfield, Alabama | M3.0 | 144 km | 5 km |
| May 4, 1994 | 2 km NNW of Addison, Alabama | M3.0 | 85 km | 19 km |
| May 4, 1994 | 12 km NNW of Addison, Alabama | M3.0 | 77 km | 5 km |
| May 4, 2007 | 4 km SSW of Jasper, Alabama | M3.0 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Jan 2, 2000 | 4 km SW of Lester, Alabama | M2.9 | 3 km | 13 km |
| Jan 2, 2000 | 4 km SW of Lester, Alabama | M2.9 | 4 km | 10 km |
| Jan 5, 2012 | 11 km NW of Oakman, Alabama | M2.9 | 137 km | 8 km |
| Jun 25, 2020 | 4 km NNW of Berry, Alabama | M2.9 | 150 km | 1 km |
| Oct 3, 1993 | 3 km SW of Oakman, Alabama | M2.8 | 146 km | 10 km |
| May 13, 1999 | 7 km NW of Elkmont, Alabama | M2.8 | 11 km | 10 km |
| May 13, 1999 | 11 km S of Pulaski, Tennessee | M2.8 | 17 km | 20 km |
| Sep 20, 1990 | 6 km N of Elkmont, Alabama | M2.8 | 18 km | 4 km |
| May 10, 2020 | 7 km SSE of Sewanee, Tennessee | M2.8 | 117 km | 6 km |
| Jan 16, 2019 | 5 km SSE of Wartrace, Tennessee | M2.8 | 95 km | 7 km |
| Oct 20, 2017 | 5 km ENE of Hollywood, Alabama | M2.7 | 116 km | 5 km |
| Mar 11, 2006 | 17 km E of Olivet, Tennessee | M2.7 | 82 km | 2 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
608 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 144 fatalities, 2,426 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 16, 1998 | EF5 | 83 km | 69.4 mi | 3 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF5 | 33 km | 83.3 mi | 16 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF5 | 64 km | 52.0 mi | 28 |
| Apr 10, 2009 | EF4 | 91 km | 23.3 mi | 2 |
| Feb 6, 2008 | EF4 | 66 km | 16.7 mi | 4 |
| May 5, 1999 | EF4 | 95 km | 6.0 mi | 3 |
| May 18, 1995 | EF4 | 21 km | 39.0 mi | 1 |
| May 18, 1995 | EF4 | 30 km | 29.0 mi | 3 |
| Nov 15, 1989 | EF4 | 59 km | 18.5 mi | 21 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 60 km | 27.5 mi | 11 |
| Apr 24, 1955 | EF4 | 71 km | 8.6 mi | 5 |
| Mar 22, 1952 | EF4 | 45 km | 21.6 mi | 4 |
| Feb 29, 1952 | EF4 | 56 km | 2.0 mi | 2 |
| Feb 13, 1952 | EF4 | 82 km | 12.7 mi | 3 |
| May 8, 2024 | EF3 | 28 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2024 | EF3 | 71 km | 11.5 mi | 1 |
| Apr 1, 2023 | EF3 | 53 km | 12.0 mi | 1 |
| Nov 29, 2016 | EF3 | 61 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| Dec 23, 2015 | EF3 | 76 km | 48.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2014 | EF3 | 55 km | 26.8 mi | 2 |
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 | 82 km |
| 2020 | BK OWL CREEK | 2,838 | 73 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 2,822 | 77 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,764 | 87 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 2,710 | 83 km |
| 2011 | GREEN TOWER | 2,653 | 75 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,602 | 84 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,442 | 79 km |
| 2015 | BIG TREE | 2,288 | 77 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 2,264 | 70 km |
| 2010 | BALLS MT. | 2,229 | 84 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 2,160 | 85 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 2,143 | 84 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,114 | 83 km |
| 2021 | BK LEOLA/WARREN | 2,007 | 69 km |
| 2024 | BNK MILL CREEK RX | 1,959 | 87 km |
| 2010 | STINSON GAP | 1,922 | 69 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 1,845 | 72 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 1,826 | 72 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 1,819 | 80 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 41°F (5°C) | 4.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 42°F (6°C) | 4.7 in | |
| March | 51°F (11°C) | 6.5 in | Wettest |
| April | 59°F (15°C) | 4.8 in | |
| May | 67°F (19°C) | 5.2 in | |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 4.2 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 4.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 3.4 in | Driest |
| September | 71°F (22°C) | 4.1 in | |
| October | 60°F (15°C) | 3.6 in | |
| November | 50°F (10°C) | 4.8 in | |
| December | 42°F (6°C) | 5.8 in |
Lester has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 41°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 56.7 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.5") and August the driest (3.4").