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Weather & Climate in Nelson, GA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Nelson enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (15°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 76°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 58.7 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 2.5 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 44. The city sits at an elevation of 1,227 feet.
Temperature
39°F Jan (4°C)
76°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 58.3°F |
| 8% above US avg | |
| January Average | 39°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 301 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,227 ft (374 m) |
| Area | 1.6 sq mi (4.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 630/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.3792°N, 84.3706°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Pickens County County |
| Nearest Airport | Richard B Russell Regional - J H Towers Field (RMG) 45 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 44.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 34.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 36.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 39.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
115 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.6.
| Apr 29, 2003 | 8 km S of Valley Head, Alabama | M4.6 | 116 km | 20 km |
| May 10, 2025 | 21 km SE of Greenback, Tennessee | M4.1 | 134 km | 25 km |
| Jul 5, 1995 | 12 km ESE of Tellico Plains, Tennessee | M3.7 | 108 km | 10 km |
| Jul 19, 1997 | 12 km E of Cohutta, Georgia | M3.5 | 75 km | 3 km |
| Mar 18, 1995 | 10 km SE of Dayton, Tennessee | M3.3 | 127 km | 26 km |
| Apr 11, 2006 | 5 km NE of Etowah, Tennessee | M3.3 | 110 km | 20 km |
| Mar 7, 2001 | 6 km NW of Decatur, Tennessee | M3.2 | 138 km | 7 km |
| May 10, 2006 | 3 km WNW of Madisonville, Tennessee | M3.2 | 128 km | 25 km |
| Mar 21, 2001 | 7 km ESE of Trenton, Georgia | M3.2 | 111 km | 0 km |
| Aug 1, 2009 | 8 km ENE of Ducktown, Tennessee | M3.2 | 76 km | 5 km |
| Apr 5, 1994 | 10 km N of Trenton, Georgia | M3.2 | 122 km | 24 km |
| May 6, 2010 | 11 km ENE of Whitesboro, Alabama | M3.2 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Mar 7, 2001 | 5 km WNW of Decatur, Tennessee | M3.2 | 135 km | 18 km |
| Jun 23, 2008 | 10 km ESE of Cohutta, Georgia | M3.1 | 74 km | 9 km |
| May 2, 2003 | 8 km S of Valley Head, Alabama | M3.1 | 114 km | 15 km |
| Jan 15, 1993 | 1 km N of Apison, Tennessee | M3.1 | 95 km | 8 km |
| Apr 29, 2003 | 7 km E of Fort Payne, Alabama | M3.1 | 117 km | 3 km |
| Oct 30, 1991 | 9 km NNE of Eton, Georgia | M3.1 | 66 km | 8 km |
| Nov 10, 1992 | 4 km ESE of Greenback, Tennessee | M3.0 | 142 km | 10 km |
| Nov 1, 2009 | 1 km ESE of South Cleveland, Tennessee | M3.0 | 95 km | 25 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
1 hurricane (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 1.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2018 | Michael | Category 1 | — | 257 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
430 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 103 fatalities, 1,904 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 92 km | 48.0 mi | 20 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF4 | 67 km | 49.0 mi | 3 |
| Nov 22, 1992 | EF4 | 58 km | 20.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 64 km | 29.5 mi | 9 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 64 km | 24.0 mi | 4 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 4 km | 17.7 mi | 6 |
| Nov 30, 2016 | EF3 | 88 km | 4.6 mi | 2 |
| Jan 30, 2013 | EF3 | 54 km | 21.8 mi | 1 |
| Dec 22, 2011 | EF3 | 59 km | 11.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 47 km | 23.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 51 km | 37.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 15, 2008 | EF3 | 75 km | 16.9 mi | 2 |
| Mar 20, 1998 | EF3 | 43 km | 4.0 mi | 12 |
| Mar 29, 1997 | EF3 | 98 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF3 | 54 km | 40.0 mi | 9 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF3 | 19 km | 44.0 mi | 3 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF3 | 38 km | 23.0 mi | 3 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF3 | 94 km | 21.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF3 | 94 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 21, 1993 | EF3 | 58 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ROUGH RIDGE (27,610 acres, 2016).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2016 | ROUGH RIDGE | 27,610 | 63 km |
| 2016 | BOTELER | 8,626 | 100 km |
| 2024 | RX - O63 CHESTNUT MTN | 4,570 | 73 km |
| 2021 | DUTCH CREEK | 3,845 | 76 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 3,298 | 35 km |
| 2019 | JACK DAVIS/DOGWOOD SPRINGS RX | 3,120 | 83 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,908 | 65 km |
| 2023 | SMITH MOUNTAIN | 2,807 | 84 km |
| 2024 | RX - O11 TOWEE O12 WILDCAT | 2,597 | 91 km |
| 2024 | RX - O33 ROCK CREEK_SEED ORCHARD | 2,445 | 87 km |
| 2018 | RUFF CREEK | 2,281 | 81 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 2,201 | 86 km |
| 2010 | BRAMLETT RIDGE | 2,200 | 86 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 2,199 | 70 km |
| 2023 | BRAMLETT RIDGE FY 23 | 2,172 | 86 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 2,133 | 86 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,087 | 97 km |
| 2023 | TRAIL RIDGE FY23 | 2,085 | 69 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 1,998 | 68 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,911 | 86 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 39°F (4°C) | 5.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 43°F (6°C) | 5.4 in | |
| March | 51°F (10°C) | 6.6 in | Wettest |
| April | 58°F (14°C) | 5.3 in | |
| May | 65°F (19°C) | 4.9 in | |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 76°F (24°C) | 5.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 4.3 in | |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 4.1 in | |
| October | 59°F (15°C) | 3.9 in | Driest |
| November | 50°F (10°C) | 4.5 in | |
| December | 42°F (6°C) | 5.2 in |
Nelson has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 39°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 59.2 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.6") and October the driest (3.9").