Weather & Climate in Moscow, IA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Moscow experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 38.3 inches. The area receives 29.4 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. 74% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 640 feet.
Temperature
22°F Jan (-5°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 50.1°F |
| 7% below US avg | |
| January Average | 22°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 640 ft (195 m) |
| Area | 1.2 sq mi (3.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 415/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.5707°N, 91.0743°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Muscatine County County |
| Nearest Airport | Quad Cities International (MLI) 31 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 73.5% |
| Unhealthy Days | 0 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 57.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 36.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 86.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1 earthquake (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.5.
| Sep 2, 1999 | 8 km W of Amboy, Illinois | M3.5 | 137 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
663 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 6 fatalities, 292 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF4 | 85 km | 19.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF4 | 79 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 29, 1981 | EF4 | 94 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 12, 1974 | EF4 | 93 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 12, 1974 | EF4 | 94 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 11, 1965 | EF4 | 33 km | 91.5 mi | 1 |
| Apr 30, 1954 | EF4 | 81 km | 80.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 2007 | EF3 | 35 km | 15.8 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2004 | EF3 | 82 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 1998 | EF3 | 64 km | 47.0 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 1995 | EF3 | 17 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 19, 1993 | EF3 | 88 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 1992 | EF3 | 68 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF3 | 66 km | 15.5 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1988 | EF3 | 32 km | 32.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 1978 | EF3 | 42 km | 6.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1974 | EF3 | 81 km | 10.6 mi | 1 |
| Jun 14, 1974 | EF3 | 40 km | 48.6 mi | 0 |
| May 13, 1974 | EF3 | 40 km | 3.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 12, 1971 | EF3 | 89 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
6 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNIT 3 (1,206 acres, 1999).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1999 | UNIT 3 | 1,206 | 51 km |
| 2002 | HSB 03 2 | 1,130 | 51 km |
| 2000 | DESTRUST A | 756 | 50 km |
| 2011 | ACE AUTO | 676 | 90 km |
| 2006 | HSB 003 | 674 | 52 km |
| 2004 | HSB 009 | 608 | 50 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22°F (-5°C) | 1.4 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.6 in | |
| March | 38°F (3°C) | 2.4 in | |
| April | 50°F (10°C) | 3.6 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 4.9 in | |
| June | 71°F (21°C) | 5.4 in | Wettest |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 4.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 4.0 in | |
| September | 65°F (19°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 53°F (12°C) | 2.9 in | |
| November | 40°F (4°C) | 2.2 in | |
| December | 28°F (-2°C) | 2.0 in |
Moscow has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 22°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 38.3 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.4") and January the driest (1.4").