Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
River Falls 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 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 60.3 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 244 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
313 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
244 ft (74 m)
Area
7.1 sq mi (18.4 km²)
Population Density
78/sq mi
Coordinates
31.3524°N, 86.5446°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Covington County County
Nearest Airport
Dothan Regional (DHN) 65 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall60.3"
59% above US avg
Snowfall0.3"
Wettest Month (Mar)6.77"
Driest Month (Oct)2.91"
Air Quality
AQI Median
41.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Moderate
Risk Score
82.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability
86.7 / 100
Community Resilience
40.4 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Moderate
Hurricane
Relatively High
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Low
Hail
Very Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Low
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Low
Lightning
Relatively High
Ice Storm
Relatively Low
Drought
Relatively Low
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
Landslide
Very Low
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
80 km
10 km
Oct 26, 1997
11 km NNW of Flomaton, Alabama
M3.7
77 km
10 km
Sep 30, 2003
10 km NNW of Atmore, Alabama
M3.3
96 km
5 km
May 4, 1997
9 km ESE of Atmore, Alabama
M3.1
90 km
5 km
Mar 11, 2019
4 km N of Flomaton, Alabama
M3.1
77 km
5 km
Apr 11, 2019
6 km NNW of Pollard, Alabama
M3.1
69 km
10 km
Oct 28, 1997
11 km NNW of Flomaton, Alabama
M3.0
77 km
10 km
Sep 25, 2003
14 km N of Atmore, Alabama
M2.9
95 km
0 km
Mar 7, 2019
2 km NW of Jay, Florida
M2.8
73 km
5 km
Mar 24, 2019
2 km ESE of Century, Florida
M2.7
79 km
5 km
Apr 12, 2019
13 km NW of Flomaton, Alabama
M2.6
81 km
5 km
Sep 5, 2000
1 km ENE of Monroeville, Alabama
M2.5
75 km
3 km
Apr 11, 2019
8 km NW of Pollard, Alabama
M2.5
72 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
296 km
2020
Sally
Category 2
109 mph
102 km
2020
Zeta
Category 1
—
224 km
2018
Michael
Category 5
161 mph
161 km
2017
Nate
Category 1
86 mph
257 km
2016
Hermine
Category 1
81 mph
270 km
2005
Dennis
Category 4
127 mph
95 km
2005
Katrina
Category 4
127 mph
277 km
2004
Ivan
Category 3
127 mph
110 km
1998
Earl
Category 2
98 mph
161 km
1998
Georges
Category 2
109 mph
240 km
1997
Danny
Category 1
81 mph
167 km
1995
Opal
Category 3
127 mph
46 km
1995
Erin
Category 2
98 mph
124 km
1985
Elena
Category 3
127 mph
198 km
1985
Kate
Category 2
98 mph
186 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
539 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 39 fatalities, 644 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Mar 1, 2007
EF4
60 km
10.3 mi
9
Apr 23, 1971
EF4
74 km
25.4 mi
0
Apr 18, 1969
EF4
54 km
52.4 mi
2
Feb 15, 2016
EF3
96 km
16.5 mi
0
Nov 25, 1986
EF3
58 km
44.0 mi
0
May 16, 1983
EF3
58 km
1.5 mi
0
Apr 18, 1978
EF3
88 km
10.5 mi
0
Dec 19, 1974
EF3
75 km
11.3 mi
0
Dec 19, 1974
EF3
84 km
0.5 mi
0
Dec 30, 1973
EF3
86 km
1.5 mi
0
Dec 29, 1973
EF3
61 km
11.6 mi
0
Dec 20, 1971
EF3
93 km
1.0 mi
0
Sep 17, 1971
EF3
36 km
0.3 mi
0
Mar 3, 1971
EF3
80 km
2.0 mi
0
Mar 2, 1971
EF3
66 km
23.8 mi
0
Dec 10, 1967
EF3
90 km
0.1 mi
0
Mar 31, 1962
EF3
97 km
6.9 mi
17
Dec 10, 1961
EF3
55 km
0.2 mi
0
May 3, 1956
EF3
28 km
3.8 mi
0
May 10, 2024
EF2
72 km
24.0 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: UNNAMED (9,706 acres, 2006).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2006
UNNAMED
9,706
59 km
2013
UNNAMED
9,046
25 km
2008
UNNAMED
7,660
85 km
2010
UNNAMED
5,692
60 km
2007
UNNAMED
5,616
66 km
2013
LOW KEY
5,554
99 km
2013
UNNAMED
5,525
41 km
2012
UNNAMED
4,627
53 km
2009
UNNAMED
4,577
48 km
2007
UNNAMED
4,523
53 km
2011
UNNAMED
4,486
75 km
2008
UNNAMED
4,397
52 km
2010
UNNAMED
4,235
74 km
2012
UNNAMED
4,231
80 km
2008
UNNAMED
4,200
90 km
2009
UNNAMED
4,141
83 km
2010
UNNAMED
4,119
75 km
2011
UNNAMED
4,032
76 km
2017
UNNAMED
3,967
45 km
2010
UNNAMED
3,921
86 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
48°F (9°C)
5.4 in
Coldest
February
51°F (10°C)
5.7 in
March
58°F (14°C)
6.8 in
Wettest
April
64°F (18°C)
4.4 in
May
71°F (22°C)
4.6 in
June
78°F (25°C)
5.2 in
July
80°F (27°C)
6.0 in
Warmest
August
80°F (26°C)
5.0 in
September
76°F (24°C)
4.3 in
October
66°F (19°C)
2.9 in
Driest
November
57°F (14°C)
4.3 in
December
50°F (10°C)
5.3 in
River Falls has a seasonal temperature swing of 33°F / from 48°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 59.8 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.8") and October the driest (2.9").