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Weather & Climate in Mount Sterling, IA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Mount Sterling experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 75°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 39.7 inches. The area receives 23.0 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 652 feet.
Temperature
23°F Jan (-5°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 50.6°F |
| 6% below US avg | |
| January Average | 23°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 275 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 652 ft (199 m) |
| Area | 0.4 sq mi (1.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 100/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.6185°N, 91.9354°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Van Buren County County |
| Nearest Airport | Ottumwa Regional (OTM) 43 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 33.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 71.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 39.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Very 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: M2.9.
| Feb 8, 2004 | 6 km SSW of Stoutsville, Missouri | M2.9 | 125 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
403 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 12 fatalities, 235 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF4 | 77 km | 19.9 mi | 0 |
| May 13, 1995 | EF4 | 53 km | 50.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 20, 1973 | EF4 | 89 km | 3.8 mi | 1 |
| Jan 24, 1967 | EF4 | 56 km | 25.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF3 | 60 km | 26.1 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 2019 | EF3 | 8 km | 7.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 2007 | EF3 | 96 km | 15.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1999 | EF3 | 51 km | 7.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1999 | EF3 | 43 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 1998 | EF3 | 76 km | 47.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 1974 | EF3 | 85 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 1974 | EF3 | 55 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 30, 1973 | EF3 | 95 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 1, 1973 | EF3 | 28 km | 3.6 mi | 2 |
| Apr 20, 1973 | EF3 | 23 km | 9.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1967 | EF3 | 42 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 1967 | EF3 | 17 km | 19.4 mi | 2 |
| Jan 24, 1967 | EF3 | 52 km | 4.3 mi | 1 |
| Jan 24, 1967 | EF3 | 31 km | 25.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 20, 1965 | EF3 | 82 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
5 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNIT 3 (1,206 acres, 1999).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1999 | UNIT 3 | 1,206 | 90 km |
| 2002 | HSB 03 2 | 1,130 | 89 km |
| 2000 | DESTRUST A | 756 | 90 km |
| 2006 | HSB 003 | 674 | 89 km |
| 2004 | HSB 009 | 608 | 90 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23°F (-5°C) | 1.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.1 in | Driest |
| March | 40°F (4°C) | 2.7 in | |
| April | 52°F (11°C) | 3.6 in | |
| May | 62°F (17°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 71°F (22°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 4.6 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 66°F (19°C) | 4.5 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 3.1 in | |
| November | 41°F (5°C) | 2.4 in | |
| December | 28°F (-2°C) | 1.9 in |
Mount Sterling has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 23°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 37.3 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.6") and February the driest (1.1").