Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Paxton enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 68°F (20°C). Winters average 51°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. The area gets 313 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 64.6 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 315 feet.
Temperature
51°F Jan (11°C)82°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average
67.5°F
25% above US avg
January Average
51°F (11°C)
July Average
82°F (28°C)
Sunny Days
313 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
315 ft (96 m)
Area
4.0 sq mi (10.4 km²)
Population Density
167/sq mi
Coordinates
30.9726°N, 86.3118°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Walton County County
Nearest Airport
Northwest Florida Beaches International (ECP) 52 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall64.6"
70% above US avg
Snowfall0.0"
Wettest Month (Jul)6.77"
Driest Month (Oct)3.31"
Air Quality
AQI Median
41.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Moderate
Risk Score
88.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability
51.7 / 100
Community Resilience
60.7 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Moderate
Hurricane
Relatively High
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Relatively Low
Flood
Relatively Low
Hail
Very Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Low
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Very Low
Lightning
Relatively High
Ice Storm
Very Low
Drought
Very Low
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
Landslide
Very Low
Coastal Flood
Relatively Moderate
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
13 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M4.8.
Oct 24, 1997
15 km NNW of Flomaton, Alabama
M4.8
99 km
10 km
Oct 26, 1997
11 km NNW of Flomaton, Alabama
M3.7
95 km
10 km
Sep 30, 2003
10 km NNW of Atmore, Alabama
M3.3
116 km
5 km
May 4, 1997
9 km ESE of Atmore, Alabama
M3.1
104 km
5 km
Mar 11, 2019
4 km N of Flomaton, Alabama
M3.1
92 km
5 km
Apr 11, 2019
6 km NNW of Pollard, Alabama
M3.1
85 km
10 km
Oct 28, 1997
11 km NNW of Flomaton, Alabama
M3.0
95 km
10 km
Sep 25, 2003
14 km N of Atmore, Alabama
M2.9
117 km
0 km
Mar 7, 2019
2 km NW of Jay, Florida
M2.8
82 km
5 km
Mar 24, 2019
2 km ESE of Century, Florida
M2.7
88 km
5 km
Apr 12, 2019
13 km NW of Flomaton, Alabama
M2.6
99 km
5 km
Sep 5, 2000
1 km ENE of Monroeville, Alabama
M2.5
114 km
3 km
Apr 11, 2019
8 km NW of Pollard, Alabama
M2.5
88 km
8 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
16 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
269 km
2023
Idalia
Category 4
132 mph
286 km
2020
Sally
Category 2
109 mph
106 km
2020
Zeta
Category 1
—
251 km
2018
Michael
Category 5
161 mph
123 km
2017
Nate
Category 1
86 mph
265 km
2016
Hermine
Category 1
81 mph
233 km
2005
Dennis
Category 4
138 mph
96 km
2004
Ivan
Category 4
127 mph
140 km
1998
Earl
Category 2
98 mph
113 km
1998
Georges
Category 2
109 mph
251 km
1997
Danny
Category 1
81 mph
165 km
1995
Opal
Category 3
127 mph
47 km
1995
Erin
Category 2
98 mph
108 km
1985
Elena
Category 3
127 mph
166 km
1985
Kate
Category 2
109 mph
139 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
638 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 42 fatalities, 707 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Mar 1, 2007
EF4
51 km
10.3 mi
9
Apr 18, 1969
EF4
100 km
52.4 mi
2
Mar 31, 2022
EF3
85 km
12.1 mi
2
Nov 25, 1986
EF3
58 km
44.0 mi
0
May 16, 1983
EF3
58 km
1.5 mi
0
Dec 19, 1974
EF3
93 km
11.3 mi
0
Dec 30, 1973
EF3
82 km
1.5 mi
0
Dec 29, 1973
EF3
55 km
11.6 mi
0
Sep 17, 1971
EF3
52 km
0.3 mi
0
Mar 3, 1971
EF3
95 km
2.0 mi
0
Mar 2, 1971
EF3
85 km
23.8 mi
0
Dec 10, 1967
EF3
43 km
0.1 mi
0
Dec 25, 1964
EF3
69 km
12.8 mi
0
Mar 31, 1962
EF3
85 km
6.9 mi
17
Dec 10, 1961
EF3
72 km
0.2 mi
0
May 3, 1956
EF3
73 km
3.8 mi
0
May 10, 2024
EF2
77 km
24.0 mi
0
Jan 9, 2024
EF2
71 km
34.8 mi
1
Jan 22, 2023
EF2
62 km
0.8 mi
0
Jun 19, 2021
EF2
72 km
22.0 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: UNNAMED (10,557 acres, 2006).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2006
UNNAMED
10,557
73 km
2006
UNNAMED
9,706
61 km
2013
UNNAMED
9,046
31 km
2008
UNNAMED
7,660
46 km
2010
UNNAMED
5,692
62 km
2007
UNNAMED
5,616
53 km
2013
LOW KEY
5,554
72 km
2013
UNNAMED
5,525
45 km
2012
UNNAMED
4,627
49 km
2009
UNNAMED
4,577
48 km
2007
UNNAMED
4,523
40 km
2011
UNNAMED
4,486
57 km
2008
UNNAMED
4,397
43 km
2010
UNNAMED
4,235
27 km
2012
UNNAMED
4,231
49 km
2008
UNNAMED
4,200
57 km
2009
UNNAMED
4,141
38 km
2010
UNNAMED
4,119
56 km
1998
UNNAMED
4,106
74 km
2011
UNNAMED
4,032
32 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
51°F (11°C)
5.2 in
Coldest
February
52°F (11°C)
5.5 in
March
59°F (15°C)
6.3 in
April
65°F (18°C)
3.9 in
May
72°F (22°C)
4.5 in
June
78°F (26°C)
5.9 in
July
82°F (28°C)
6.8 in
Warmest, Wettest
August
80°F (27°C)
6.0 in
September
77°F (25°C)
5.2 in
October
67°F (19°C)
3.3 in
Driest
November
58°F (14°C)
4.2 in
December
52°F (11°C)
4.7 in
Paxton has a seasonal temperature swing of 32°F / from 51°F in January to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 61.5 inches, with July being the wettest month (6.8") and October the driest (3.3").