Weather & Climate in Muscle Shoals, AL

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Muscle Shoals enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 80°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 58.0 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 525 feet.

Temperature

40°F Jan (5°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)

Annual Average	60.7°F
	12% above US avg
January Average	40°F (5°C)
July Average	80°F (27°C)
Sunny Days	301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	525 ft (160 m)
Area	15.6 sq mi (40.3 km²)
Population Density	988/sq mi
Coordinates	34.7427°N, 87.6338°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Colbert County County
Nearest Airport	Northwest Alabama Regional (MSL) 1 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 58.0"

53% above US avg

Wettest Month (Mar) 6.22"

Driest Month (Aug) 3.27"

Air Quality

AQI Median	41.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	80.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability	69.8 / 100
Community Resilience	68.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
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 Low
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
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: M3.9.

Dec 8, 2001	5 km SW of Pleasant Groves, Alabama	M3.9	128 km	0 km
Jul 15, 1995	21 km SSW of Berry, Alabama	M3.3	141 km	1 km
Jun 23, 1990	12 km E of Vernon, Alabama	M3.2	113 km	1 km
Sep 2, 1990	12 km NW of Fayette, Alabama	M3.2	113 km	1 km
May 10, 2008	1 km SSE of Sherman, Mississippi	M3.1	118 km	0 km
Jun 23, 1990	8 km N of Belk, Alabama	M3.1	117 km	6 km
May 4, 2007	4 km SSW of Jasper, Alabama	M3.0	110 km	5 km
May 4, 1994	2 km NNW of Addison, Alabama	M3.0	71 km	19 km
May 4, 1994	12 km NNW of Addison, Alabama	M3.0	61 km	5 km
May 28, 2000	3 km NE of Fayette, Alabama	M3.0	116 km	0 km
May 28, 2000	13 km S of Winfield, Alabama	M3.0	105 km	5 km
Jan 5, 2012	11 km NW of Oakman, Alabama	M2.9	108 km	8 km
Jan 2, 2000	4 km SW of Lester, Alabama	M2.9	48 km	10 km
Jan 2, 2000	4 km SW of Lester, Alabama	M2.9	48 km	13 km
Jun 25, 2020	4 km NNW of Berry, Alabama	M2.9	117 km	1 km
Sep 20, 1990	6 km N of Elkmont, Alabama	M2.8	67 km	4 km
May 13, 1999	7 km NW of Elkmont, Alabama	M2.8	61 km	10 km
May 13, 1999	11 km S of Pulaski, Tennessee	M2.8	68 km	20 km
Jun 7, 2005	21 km WNW of Rock Creek, Alabama	M2.8	138 km	5 km
Oct 3, 1993	3 km SW of Oakman, Alabama	M2.8	119 km	10 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

621 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 195 fatalities, 2,029 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Apr 27, 2011	EF5	85 km	132.0 mi	72
Apr 16, 1998	EF5	64 km	69.4 mi	3
Apr 3, 1974	EF5	54 km	83.3 mi	16
Apr 3, 1974	EF5	33 km	52.0 mi	28
Apr 27, 2011	EF4	94 km	46.9 mi	6
Feb 6, 2008	EF4	49 km	16.7 mi	4
Feb 5, 2008	EF4	84 km	16.2 mi	3
May 5, 1999	EF4	96 km	6.0 mi	3
May 18, 1995	EF4	32 km	29.0 mi	3
May 18, 1995	EF4	56 km	39.0 mi	1
Nov 15, 1989	EF4	91 km	18.5 mi	21
Apr 24, 1955	EF4	69 km	8.6 mi	5
Mar 22, 1952	EF4	60 km	21.6 mi	4
May 8, 2024	EF3	38 km	3.8 mi	0
Nov 29, 2016	EF3	60 km	6.2 mi	0
Dec 23, 2015	EF3	53 km	48.4 mi	0
Apr 28, 2014	EF3	37 km	15.6 mi	2
Mar 2, 2012	EF3	62 km	34.0 mi	0
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	84 km	31.8 mi	0
Apr 11, 2008	EF3	62 km	10.3 mi	0

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	56 km
2020	BK OWL CREEK	2,838	57 km
2014	UNNAMED	2,822	60 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,764	65 km
2019	UNNAMED	2,710	68 km
2011	GREEN TOWER	2,653	63 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,602	69 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,442	56 km
2015	BIG TREE	2,288	50 km
2018	UNNAMED	2,264	52 km
2010	BALLS MT.	2,229	54 km
2015	UNNAMED	2,160	68 km
2014	UNNAMED	2,143	54 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,114	67 km
2021	BK LEOLA/WARREN	2,007	52 km
2024	BNK MILL CREEK RX	1,959	66 km
2010	STINSON GAP	1,922	51 km
2013	UNNAMED	1,845	52 km
2018	UNNAMED	1,826	52 km
2019	UNNAMED	1,819	62 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	40°F (5°C)	5.0 in	Coldest
February	43°F (6°C)	4.6 in
March	52°F (11°C)	6.2 in	Wettest
April	60°F (16°C)	4.8 in
May	68°F (20°C)	5.3 in
June	76°F (24°C)	4.4 in
July	80°F (27°C)	4.5 in	Warmest
August	78°F (26°C)	3.3 in	Driest
September	72°F (22°C)	4.3 in
October	61°F (16°C)	3.4 in
November	51°F (11°C)	4.9 in
December	43°F (6°C)	5.7 in

Muscle Shoals has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 40°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 56.4 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.2") and August the driest (3.3").

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