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Weather & Climate in McRae-Helena, GA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
McRae-Helena enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 66°F (19°C). Winters average 49°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. The area gets 308 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 47.0 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 249 feet.
Temperature
49°F Jan (9°C)
82°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 65.8°F |
| 22% above US avg | |
| January Average | 49°F (9°C) |
| July Average | 82°F (28°C) |
| Sunny Days | 308 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 249 ft (76 m) |
| Area | 6.4 sq mi (16.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 925/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 32.0636°N, 82.8969°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Wheeler County County |
| Nearest Airport | Vidalia Regional (VDI) 32 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 44.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 6.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 90.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 6.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
12 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.9.
| Jun 18, 2022 | 7 km E of Stillmore, Georgia | M3.9 | 83 km | 1 km |
| Jul 13, 2003 | 6 km N of Cobbtown, Georgia | M3.6 | 77 km | 5 km |
| Jan 18, 2000 | 11 km SSE of Gray, Georgia | M3.5 | 109 km | 19 km |
| Dec 7, 2009 | 4 km WNW of Deepstep, Georgia | M3.2 | 108 km | 7 km |
| Apr 4, 2009 | 15 km N of Milledgeville, Georgia | M3.1 | 131 km | 0 km |
| Apr 6, 2017 | 6 km WSW of Sparta, Georgia | M2.7 | 134 km | 11 km |
| Jul 4, 2012 | 11 km NNE of Deepstep, Georgia | M2.7 | 117 km | 10 km |
| Apr 23, 1993 | 14 km E of Mount Zion, Georgia | M2.7 | 146 km | 0 km |
| May 3, 2011 | 6 km WNW of Mitchell, Georgia | M2.6 | 131 km | 28 km |
| Apr 6, 2017 | 6 km WSW of Sparta, Georgia | M2.5 | 134 km | 10 km |
| Mar 4, 1996 | 9 km SW of Soperton, Georgia | M2.5 | 36 km | 1 km |
| May 17, 1997 | 9 km SW of Soperton, Georgia | M2.5 | 36 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
10 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 4.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2024 | Helene | Category 4 | 138 mph | 93 km |
| 2024 | Debby | Category 1 | 81 mph | 245 km |
| 2023 | Idalia | Category 3 | 115 mph | 130 km |
| 2018 | Michael | Category 5 | 161 mph | 95 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 3 | 115 mph | 223 km |
| 2016 | Hermine | Category 1 | 81 mph | 222 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 86 mph | 273 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 4 | 138 mph | 291 km |
| 1985 | Kate | Category 2 | 98 mph | 85 km |
| 1985 | Bob | Category 1 | 75 mph | 226 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
400 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 33 fatalities, 537 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 30, 1953 | EF4 | 89 km | 1.0 mi | 18 |
| Apr 5, 2022 | EF3 | 85 km | 3.9 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 2008 | EF3 | 66 km | 7.3 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 2008 | EF3 | 43 km | 7.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 31, 1961 | EF3 | 81 km | 1.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 8, 1957 | EF3 | 29 km | 14.7 mi | 1 |
| Apr 30, 1953 | EF3 | 83 km | 2.0 mi | 1 |
| May 11, 1952 | EF3 | 84 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 5, 2022 | EF2 | 94 km | 5.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 24, 2021 | EF2 | 69 km | 8.2 mi | 0 |
| Dec 17, 2019 | EF2 | 73 km | 20.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 5, 2017 | EF2 | 31 km | 20.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 2017 | EF2 | 99 km | 3.3 mi | 0 |
| Jan 21, 2017 | EF2 | 98 km | 12.9 mi | 0 |
| Feb 21, 2014 | EF2 | 57 km | 17.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 5, 2011 | EF2 | 47 km | 3.1 mi | 1 |
| Dec 2, 2009 | EF2 | 87 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 2008 | EF2 | 63 km | 13.8 mi | 2 |
| May 11, 2008 | EF2 | 79 km | 7.5 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 2008 | EF2 | 53 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: SESSOM COMMUNITY FIRE (20,916 acres, 2011).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2011 | SESSOM COMMUNITY FIRE | 20,916 | 81 km |
| 2007 | ROUNDABOUT SWAMP FIRE | 5,791 | 87 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 3,116 | 87 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 2,881 | 99 km |
| 2007 | DREGGERS FIRE | 1,918 | 98 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 1,859 | 87 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 1,613 | 80 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 1,591 | 81 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 1,490 | 65 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 1,304 | 54 km |
| 2011 | MOSLEY ROAD | 1,201 | 54 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 1,024 | 49 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 1,008 | 90 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 847 | 49 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 818 | 60 km |
| 2014 | HERON ROAD FIRE | 768 | 68 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 623 | 75 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 601 | 77 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 598 | 81 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 582 | 88 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 49°F (9°C) | 4.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 51°F (11°C) | 4.3 in | |
| March | 58°F (15°C) | 4.6 in | |
| April | 65°F (18°C) | 3.3 in | |
| May | 72°F (22°C) | 3.4 in | |
| June | 78°F (26°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 82°F (28°C) | 4.9 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 80°F (27°C) | 4.7 in | |
| September | 76°F (24°C) | 3.0 in | |
| October | 66°F (19°C) | 2.2 in | Driest |
| November | 57°F (14°C) | 2.8 in | |
| December | 51°F (10°C) | 3.7 in |
McRae-Helena has a seasonal temperature swing of 33°F / from 49°F in January to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 45.4 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.9") and October the driest (2.2").