Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Ray City enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 48°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 48.2 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 44. The city sits at an elevation of 190 feet.
Temperature
48°F Jan (9°C)80°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average
64.9°F
20% above US avg
January Average
48°F (9°C)
July Average
80°F (27°C)
Sunny Days
301 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
190 ft (58 m)
Area
1.2 sq mi (3.0 km²)
Population Density
788/sq mi
Coordinates
31.0728°N, 83.1901°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Lanier County County
Nearest Airport
Valdosta Regional (VLD) 21 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall48.2"
27% above US avg
Snowfall0.0"
Wettest Month (Jul)5.91"
Driest Month (Oct)2.24"
Air Quality
AQI Median
44.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Very Low
Risk Score
6.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability
54.7 / 100
Community Resilience
12.5 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
Hurricane
Relatively Low
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Very Low
Hail
Very Low
Strong Wind
Very Low
Heat Wave
Very Low
Winter Weather
Very Low
Lightning
Relatively Low
Ice Storm
Very Low
Drought
Relatively Low
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
Landslide
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
2 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M2.5.
Mar 4, 1996
9 km SW of Soperton, Georgia
M2.5
147 km
1 km
May 17, 1997
9 km SW of Soperton, Georgia
M2.5
147 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
12 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
27 km
2024
Debby
Category 1
81 mph
132 km
2023
Idalia
Category 4
132 mph
42 km
2018
Michael
Category 5
161 mph
133 km
2016
Matthew
Category 3
121 mph
247 km
2016
Hermine
Category 1
81 mph
116 km
2004
Charley
Category 1
86 mph
253 km
1998
Earl
Category 1
81 mph
264 km
1995
Erin
Category 1
81 mph
292 km
1985
Elena
Category 3
127 mph
260 km
1985
Kate
Category 2
98 mph
56 km
1985
Bob
Category 1
75 mph
256 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
399 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 29 fatalities, 279 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Jan 22, 2017
EF3
38 km
24.7 mi
11
Mar 3, 2012
EF3
9 km
10.5 mi
0
Feb 19, 2009
EF3
64 km
1.5 mi
0
Feb 13, 2000
EF3
96 km
15.0 mi
7
Apr 19, 1988
EF3
73 km
12.0 mi
4
Nov 18, 1968
EF3
85 km
0.5 mi
0
Nov 11, 1968
EF3
77 km
2.0 mi
0
Apr 8, 1957
EF3
87 km
14.7 mi
1
May 11, 1952
EF3
34 km
4.3 mi
0
Feb 4, 2024
EF2
34 km
7.3 mi
0
Jan 22, 2023
EF2
26 km
5.9 mi
0
Dec 15, 2022
EF2
76 km
2.0 mi
0
Apr 24, 2021
EF2
46 km
8.2 mi
0
Apr 20, 2020
EF2
86 km
8.7 mi
0
Dec 17, 2019
EF2
61 km
20.3 mi
0
Jan 22, 2017
EF2
78 km
18.7 mi
0
Dec 29, 2014
EF2
30 km
0.7 mi
0
Feb 18, 2009
EF2
90 km
10.4 mi
0
Feb 18, 2009
EF2
99 km
5.9 mi
0
Mar 1, 2007
EF2
73 km
2.9 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: BIG TURNAROUND COMPLEX (328,827 acres, 2007).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2007
BIG TURNAROUND COMPLEX
328,827
95 km
2007
BIG TURNAROUND COMPLEX (FLOYDS ISLAND PRAIRIE)
215,381
85 km
2017
WEST MIMS
166,737
98 km
2011
HONEY PRAIRIE
147,065
95 km
2011
CRAVENS HAMMOCK
142,688
88 km
2002
BLACKJACK BAY COMPLEX
107,076
94 km
1999
FRIENDLY
75,089
96 km
2007
SWEAT FARM ROAD
52,495
73 km
2012
COUNTY LINE
35,440
94 km
1985
UNNAMED
25,845
88 km
1990
SHORTS
21,413
84 km
2011
SESSOM COMMUNITY FIRE
20,916
75 km
2011
GA-19 (SAW FLY RD)
19,730
97 km
2011
SWEAT FARM AGAIN
19,698
65 km
2011
DURDIN PRAIRIE
19,487
99 km
1989
PIN HOOK
16,471
99 km
1999
HICKORY IS
14,656
82 km
2002
BAY CREEK
11,917
75 km
2011
ARABIA BAY
10,971
34 km
2011
RACEPOND
7,951
94 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
48°F (9°C)
3.7 in
Coldest
February
53°F (12°C)
4.5 in
March
60°F (16°C)
4.7 in
April
66°F (19°C)
3.4 in
May
73°F (23°C)
3.8 in
June
79°F (26°C)
4.5 in
July
80°F (27°C)
5.9 in
Wettest
August
80°F (27°C)
5.6 in
Warmest
September
77°F (25°C)
3.9 in
October
68°F (20°C)
2.2 in
Driest
November
59°F (15°C)
2.4 in
December
52°F (11°C)
2.8 in
Ray City has a seasonal temperature swing of 33°F / from 48°F in January to 80°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 47.5 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.9") and October the driest (2.2").