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Weather & Climate in Maxwell, IA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Maxwell experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 74°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 35.1 inches. The area receives 28.7 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 895 feet.
Temperature
19°F Jan (-7°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 48.6°F |
| 10% below US avg | |
| January Average | 19°F (-7°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 275 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 895 ft (273 m) |
| Area | 1.1 sq mi (2.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 724/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.8914°N, 93.3961°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Polk County County |
| Nearest Airport | Des Moines International (DSM) 31 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 92.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 17.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 91.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Very High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Tornado History
730 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 27 fatalities, 464 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 25, 2008 | EF5 | 85 km | 41.0 mi | 9 |
| Jun 13, 1976 | EF5 | 40 km | 21.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 5, 2022 | EF4 | 99 km | 70.6 mi | 6 |
| May 30, 1989 | EF4 | 47 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1989 | EF4 | 51 km | 66.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 28, 1986 | EF4 | 23 km | 20.0 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 1977 | EF4 | 94 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1974 | EF4 | 26 km | 15.3 mi | 2 |
| Jun 8, 1967 | EF4 | 95 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1965 | EF4 | 100 km | 9.9 mi | 0 |
| Aug 20, 2019 | EF3 | 71 km | 5.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 19, 2018 | EF3 | 61 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 19, 2018 | EF3 | 37 km | 8.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 2015 | EF3 | 84 km | 11.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 12, 2005 | EF3 | 64 km | 17.6 mi | 1 |
| Apr 8, 1999 | EF3 | 92 km | 39.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 22, 1991 | EF3 | 19 km | 43.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 1990 | EF3 | 84 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF3 | 14 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 16, 1978 | EF3 | 20 km | 31.8 mi | 6 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
4 wildfires (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 | 36 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 939 | 94 km |
| 2010 | FOLEY | 786 | 97 km |
| 2011 | IRCP WUI ROFAE #2 FY11 | 510 | 88 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19°F (-7°C) | 0.8 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 24°F (-4°C) | 1.0 in | |
| March | 36°F (2°C) | 2.2 in | |
| April | 49°F (10°C) | 3.4 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 4.3 in | |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 4.9 in | Wettest |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 4.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 4.2 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 2.6 in | |
| November | 36°F (2°C) | 1.8 in | |
| December | 23°F (-5°C) | 1.2 in |
Maxwell has a seasonal temperature swing of 55°F / from 19°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 34.0 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.9") and January the driest (0.8").