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Weather & Climate in Opelika, AL
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Opelika enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. The area gets 304 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 55.2 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 814 feet.
Temperature
44°F Jan (7°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 62.3°F |
| 15% above US avg | |
| January Average | 44°F (7°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 304 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 814 ft (248 m) |
| Area | 61.5 sq mi (159.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 520/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 32.6607°N, 85.3789°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Lee County County |
| Nearest Airport | Auburn University Regional (AUO) 4 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 79.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 42.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 52.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
8 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.0.
| Sep 13, 2011 | 1 km NNW of Leeds, Alabama | M3.0 | 148 km | 19 km |
| Mar 28, 1991 | 5 km NNW of Westover, Alabama | M2.9 | 136 km | 28 km |
| Feb 17, 1991 | 6 km N of Goldville, Alabama | M2.9 | 65 km | 1 km |
| Apr 15, 2001 | 9 km E of Bon Air, Alabama | M2.6 | 105 km | 5 km |
| Apr 15, 2001 | 12 km SW of Talladega, Alabama | M2.6 | 110 km | 11 km |
| Mar 17, 2009 | 5 km W of Ragland, Alabama | M2.5 | 143 km | 8 km |
| Oct 6, 2003 | 11 km SW of Talladega, Alabama | M2.5 | 111 km | 0 km |
| Jan 4, 2008 | 14 km N of Hollins, Alabama | M2.5 | 95 km | 0 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
9 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 5.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2024 | Helene | Category 4 | 138 mph | 248 km |
| 2020 | Sally | Category 2 | 109 mph | 282 km |
| 2018 | Michael | Category 5 | 161 mph | 152 km |
| 2016 | Hermine | Category 1 | 81 mph | 293 km |
| 2005 | Dennis | Category 3 | 121 mph | 275 km |
| 2004 | Ivan | Category 3 | 121 mph | 260 km |
| 1998 | Earl | Category 1 | 81 mph | 286 km |
| 1995 | Opal | Category 3 | 115 mph | 122 km |
| 1985 | Kate | Category 2 | 98 mph | 219 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
483 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 69 fatalities, 1,186 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 25, 2021 | EF4 | 68 km | 38.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 3, 2019 | EF4 | 26 km | 68.0 mi | 23 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 76 km | 44.2 mi | 7 |
| May 1, 1953 | EF4 | 81 km | 12.1 mi | 7 |
| Mar 26, 2023 | EF3 | 32 km | 21.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF3 | 100 km | 16.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 29, 2014 | EF3 | 26 km | 11.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 93 km | 21.7 mi | 2 |
| Mar 18, 1996 | EF3 | 60 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 5, 1989 | EF3 | 86 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 1, 1981 | EF3 | 46 km | 0.1 mi | 2 |
| Nov 25, 1979 | EF3 | 87 km | 10.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 1976 | EF3 | 65 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Dec 19, 1974 | EF3 | 98 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jan 26, 1974 | EF3 | 53 km | 21.3 mi | 1 |
| Apr 2, 1970 | EF3 | 92 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 19, 1970 | EF3 | 25 km | 2.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 31, 1961 | EF3 | 42 km | 8.2 mi | 0 |
| Dec 5, 1954 | EF3 | 4 km | 51.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 13, 1954 | EF3 | 96 km | 49.5 mi | 5 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (13,987 acres, 2006).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 13,987 | 53 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 10,827 | 54 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 7,788 | 54 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 6,753 | 65 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 5,854 | 52 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 5,600 | 66 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 5,442 | 69 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 5,397 | 64 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 5,157 | 92 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 4,199 | 97 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 3,733 | 69 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 3,694 | 74 km |
| 2010 | WIREGRASS | 3,467 | 92 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 3,429 | 61 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 3,362 | 45 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 3,305 | 56 km |
| 1998 | CHEAHA WILDERNESS | 3,299 | 95 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 3,267 | 61 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 3,210 | 65 km |
| 2021 | TL TYLER WEST | 3,148 | 99 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 44°F (7°C) | 5.2 in | Coldest |
| February | 48°F (9°C) | 5.5 in | |
| March | 56°F (13°C) | 6.7 in | Wettest |
| April | 62°F (17°C) | 5.1 in | |
| May | 70°F (21°C) | 3.8 in | |
| June | 77°F (25°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 5.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 75°F (24°C) | 3.8 in | |
| October | 64°F (18°C) | 2.9 in | Driest |
| November | 55°F (13°C) | 4.3 in | |
| December | 48°F (9°C) | 5.3 in |
Opelika has a seasonal temperature swing of 35°F / from 44°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 56.3 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.7") and October the driest (2.9").