Weather & Climate in Riverdale, GA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Riverdale enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 45°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 50.4 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 2.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 45. 56% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 896 feet.
Temperature
45°F Jan (7°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 63.6°F |
| 18% above US avg | |
| January Average | 45°F (7°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 896 ft (273 m) |
| Area | 4.4 sq mi (11.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 3,386/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 33.5639°N, 84.4110°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Clayton County County |
| Nearest Airport | Hartsfield - Jackson Atlanta International (ATL) 5 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 45.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 55.9% |
| Unhealthy Days | 2 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 86.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 42.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 8.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
26 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.5.
| Jan 18, 2000 | 11 km SSE of Gray, Georgia | M3.5 | 113 km | 19 km |
| Mar 18, 2003 | 11 km S of Rayle, Georgia | M3.5 | 142 km | 5 km |
| Dec 7, 2009 | 4 km WNW of Deepstep, Georgia | M3.2 | 143 km | 7 km |
| Apr 29, 2003 | 7 km E of Fort Payne, Alabama | M3.1 | 150 km | 3 km |
| Apr 4, 2009 | 15 km N of Milledgeville, Georgia | M3.1 | 119 km | 0 km |
| Feb 17, 1991 | 6 km N of Goldville, Alabama | M2.9 | 135 km | 1 km |
| Sep 19, 1990 | 6 km NNW of Menlo, Georgia | M2.9 | 147 km | 6 km |
| May 19, 1997 | 9 km NNW of Trion, Georgia | M2.9 | 146 km | 3 km |
| Apr 6, 2017 | 6 km WSW of Sparta, Georgia | M2.7 | 132 km | 11 km |
| Sep 14, 2000 | 3 km SSW of LaFayette, Georgia | M2.7 | 148 km | 0 km |
| Jun 18, 1998 | 8 km E of LaFayette, Georgia | M2.7 | 147 km | 3 km |
| Jul 4, 2012 | 11 km NNE of Deepstep, Georgia | M2.7 | 146 km | 10 km |
| Apr 23, 1993 | 14 km E of Mount Zion, Georgia | M2.7 | 146 km | 0 km |
| Feb 7, 2007 | 7 km N of Trion, Georgia | M2.6 | 142 km | 11 km |
| Feb 25, 2025 | 8 km N of Menlo, Georgia | M2.6 | 148 km | 10 km |
| Jun 2, 2017 | 7 km NW of Broomtown, Alabama | M2.6 | 143 km | 13 km |
| Sep 12, 2022 | 13 km NE of Jackson, Georgia | M2.5 | 55 km | 1 km |
| Jul 6, 2020 | 5 km S of Tunnel Hill, Georgia | M2.5 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Apr 6, 2017 | 6 km WSW of Sparta, Georgia | M2.5 | 131 km | 10 km |
| May 18, 2015 | 0 km NNW of Crawfordville, Georgia | M2.5 | 140 km | 1 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
4 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 3.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2024 | Helene | Category 1 | 92 mph | 273 km |
| 2018 | Michael | Category 3 | 92 mph | 170 km |
| 1995 | Opal | Category 1 | 92 mph | 254 km |
| 1985 | Kate | Category 1 | 75 mph | 245 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
493 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 52 fatalities, 1,240 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 25, 2021 | EF4 | 80 km | 38.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF4 | 85 km | 49.0 mi | 3 |
| Nov 22, 1992 | EF4 | 46 km | 20.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 22, 1992 | EF4 | 99 km | 32.0 mi | 5 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 90 km | 17.7 mi | 6 |
| Jan 12, 2023 | EF3 | 45 km | 31.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF3 | 69 km | 5.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF3 | 80 km | 16.6 mi | 0 |
| Jan 30, 2013 | EF3 | 100 km | 21.8 mi | 1 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF3 | 89 km | 29.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 47 km | 21.7 mi | 2 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 64 km | 30.8 mi | 2 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 89 km | 23.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 15, 2008 | EF3 | 87 km | 16.9 mi | 2 |
| Feb 26, 2008 | EF3 | 82 km | 7.2 mi | 0 |
| Jan 2, 2006 | EF3 | 46 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF3 | 96 km | 40.0 mi | 9 |
| Feb 21, 1993 | EF3 | 99 km | 9.0 mi | 1 |
| Feb 21, 1993 | EF3 | 49 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 29, 1991 | EF3 | 37 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: COMPT 163 (4,755 acres, 2010).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2010 | COMPT 163 | 4,755 | 93 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 3,808 | 86 km |
| 2007 | 14A-14B-15A-16E-17E | 3,397 | 82 km |
| 2006 | 10 A 11 E 11 W RX BURN | 2,969 | 83 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 2,753 | 96 km |
| 1988 | COMP 10 | 2,588 | 82 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 2,574 | 94 km |
| 2010 | COMPT 2 | 2,505 | 86 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 2,433 | 89 km |
| 2010 | COMPT 120 | 2,412 | 81 km |
| 1999 | COMP 1312 | 2,401 | 82 km |
| 2018 | COMPARTMENT 4 5 6 7 8 | 2,386 | 89 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 2,294 | 75 km |
| 2009 | 30 | 2,195 | 91 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 2,143 | 96 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 2,101 | 94 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,077 | 77 km |
| 2019 | COMPARTMENT 107 | 2,058 | 67 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 2,047 | 67 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 1,974 | 96 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 45°F (7°C) | 4.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 49°F (9°C) | 4.6 in | |
| March | 56°F (13°C) | 4.7 in | |
| April | 63°F (17°C) | 3.8 in | |
| May | 71°F (22°C) | 3.6 in | |
| June | 78°F (26°C) | 4.5 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 4.8 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 80°F (27°C) | 4.3 in | |
| September | 75°F (24°C) | 3.8 in | |
| October | 65°F (18°C) | 3.3 in | Driest |
| November | 54°F (12°C) | 4.0 in | |
| December | 47°F (9°C) | 4.6 in |
Riverdale has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 45°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 50.4 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.8") and October the driest (3.3").