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Weather & Climate in Ottumwa, IA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Ottumwa 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 37.0 inches. The area receives 23.6 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 647 feet.
Temperature
23°F Jan (-5°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 50.7°F |
| 6% below US avg | |
| January Average | 23°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 275 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 647 ft (197 m) |
| Area | 16.5 sq mi (42.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,579/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.0223°N, 92.4233°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Wapello County County |
| Nearest Airport | Ottumwa Regional (OTM) 6 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 65.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 43.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 70.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| 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 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Tornado History
486 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 12 fatalities, 216 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF4 | 46 km | 19.9 mi | 0 |
| Aug 12, 1974 | EF4 | 83 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 24, 1967 | EF4 | 70 km | 25.7 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1959 | EF4 | 71 km | 17.2 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1953 | EF4 | 78 km | 6.4 mi | 0 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF3 | 9 km | 26.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 5, 2022 | EF3 | 81 km | 11.3 mi | 1 |
| Aug 20, 2019 | EF3 | 96 km | 5.4 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 2019 | EF3 | 53 km | 7.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 19, 2018 | EF3 | 65 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 2015 | EF3 | 60 km | 11.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1999 | EF3 | 30 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1999 | EF3 | 92 km | 39.0 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 1998 | EF3 | 65 km | 47.0 mi | 0 |
| May 1, 1973 | EF3 | 89 km | 3.6 mi | 2 |
| Apr 20, 1973 | EF3 | 73 km | 9.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1967 | EF3 | 42 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 1967 | EF3 | 45 km | 19.4 mi | 2 |
| Jan 24, 1967 | EF3 | 33 km | 25.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 14, 1966 | EF3 | 80 km | 29.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
5 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: NEAL SMITH WUI 2016 1 (1,050 acres, 2016).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2016 | NEAL SMITH WUI 2016 1 | 1,050 | 95 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 939 | 95 km |
| 2010 | FOLEY | 786 | 94 km |
| 2011 | ACE AUTO | 676 | 93 km |
| 2011 | IRCP WUI ROFAE #2 FY11 | 510 | 97 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23°F (-5°C) | 1.1 in | Coldest |
| February | 28°F (-3°C) | 0.9 in | Driest |
| March | 39°F (4°C) | 2.4 in | |
| April | 51°F (11°C) | 3.6 in | |
| May | 62°F (17°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 4.7 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 4.1 in | |
| September | 65°F (19°C) | 4.3 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 2.6 in | |
| November | 39°F (4°C) | 2.2 in | |
| December | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.4 in |
Ottumwa has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 23°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 35.3 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.7") and February the driest (0.9").