Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sandersville enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 66°F (19°C). Winters average 47°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. The area gets 306 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 59.6 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 279 feet.
Temperature
47°F Jan (9°C)82°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average
65.5°F
21% above US avg
January Average
47°F (9°C)
July Average
82°F (28°C)
Sunny Days
306 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
279 ft (85 m)
Area
5.0 sq mi (12.9 km²)
Population Density
102/sq mi
Coordinates
31.7840°N, 89.0398°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Jones County County
Nearest Airport
Hattiesburg/Laurel Regional (PIB) 28 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall59.6"
57% above US avg
Snowfall0.0"
Wettest Month (Mar)6.26"
Driest Month (Oct)3.31"
Air Quality
AQI Median
43.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
80.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability
77.7 / 100
Community Resilience
40.5 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively High
Hurricane
Relatively Moderate
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Relatively Low
Flood
Relatively Low
Hail
Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind
Relatively High
Heat Wave
Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather
Relatively Moderate
Lightning
Relatively High
Ice Storm
Relatively Moderate
Drought
Relatively Low
Cold Wave
Relatively Moderate
Landslide
Relatively Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
16 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M3.7.
Jul 16, 1993
2 km SSW of Silas, Alabama
M3.7
66 km
5 km
Mar 25, 1996
11 km NNE of Quitman, Mississippi
M3.5
52 km
5 km
Jun 24, 1998
11 km W of Demopolis, Alabama
M3.4
130 km
5 km
Mar 22, 2005
9 km NNE of Coffeeville, Alabama
M3.3
93 km
5 km
May 3, 2015
7 km SSW of Canton, Mississippi
M3.2
130 km
5 km
Jun 29, 2015
6 km SSW of Canton, Mississippi
M3.2
130 km
5 km
May 16, 2008
10 km W of Coffeeville, Alabama
M3.1
79 km
5 km
May 3, 2015
8 km WSW of Canton, Mississippi
M3.0
134 km
5 km
Mar 15, 2025
5 km NNE of Magee, Mississippi
M3.0
64 km
10 km
May 21, 2002
7 km ESE of York, Alabama
M3.0
107 km
27 km
Aug 9, 2019
Mississippi
M2.8
125 km
5 km
May 7, 1998
9 km SSE of Bellamy, Alabama
M2.8
109 km
10 km
Aug 17, 2015
9 km N of Madison, Mississippi
M2.6
132 km
5 km
Mar 11, 2006
3 km NW of Epes, Alabama
M2.6
132 km
31 km
May 16, 2006
7 km ENE of Gainesville, Alabama
M2.5
149 km
21 km
Sep 5, 2000
2 km NNE of Sweet Water, Alabama
M2.5
117 km
0 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
15 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980.
Strongest on record: Category 4.
Year
Name
Category
Max Wind
Closest
2021
Ida
Category 4
150 mph
213 km
2020
Zeta
Category 3
115 mph
45 km
2020
Sally
Category 2
109 mph
190 km
2017
Nate
Category 1
86 mph
154 km
2012
Isaac
Category 1
81 mph
300 km
2005
Dennis
Category 4
127 mph
198 km
2005
Katrina
Category 3
127 mph
36 km
2004
Ivan
Category 3
121 mph
134 km
1998
Georges
Category 2
109 mph
132 km
1997
Danny
Category 1
81 mph
188 km
1995
Opal
Category 3
115 mph
230 km
1995
Erin
Category 2
98 mph
197 km
1992
Andrew
Category 4
138 mph
291 km
1988
Florence
Category 1
81 mph
278 km
1985
Elena
Category 3
127 mph
141 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
755 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 57 fatalities, 1,459 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Apr 12, 2020
EF4
77 km
67.4 mi
7
Feb 10, 2013
EF4
69 km
21.7 mi
0
Apr 27, 2011
EF4
52 km
122.0 mi
7
Nov 22, 1992
EF4
46 km
40.0 mi
0
Feb 28, 1987
EF4
37 km
35.0 mi
6
Mar 12, 1986
EF4
75 km
23.0 mi
0
Mar 26, 1976
EF4
93 km
18.5 mi
0
Dec 2, 1967
EF4
86 km
7.6 mi
2
May 1, 1953
EF4
81 km
0.1 mi
2
Jun 18, 2023
EF3
35 km
6.5 mi
1
Nov 30, 2022
EF3
71 km
19.0 mi
0
Mar 22, 2022
EF3
92 km
9.2 mi
0
Dec 16, 2019
EF3
67 km
5.8 mi
0
Dec 16, 2019
EF3
18 km
61.2 mi
0
Dec 16, 2019
EF3
60 km
18.6 mi
0
Jan 21, 2017
EF3
79 km
31.1 mi
4
Dec 23, 2014
EF3
97 km
12.5 mi
3
Apr 28, 2014
EF3
7 km
10.5 mi
0
Apr 28, 2014
EF3
76 km
4.3 mi
0
Apr 11, 2013
EF3
97 km
66.4 mi
1
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: WHITE DOG (12,306 acres, 2005).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2005
WHITE DOG
12,306
75 km
2008
UNNAMED
10,363
95 km
2013
UNNAMED
10,170
86 km
2014
UNNAMED
9,932
75 km
2010
DESOTO 0902
8,713
89 km
2015
UNNAMED
7,059
88 km
2014
UNNAMED
6,802
89 km
2005
UNNAMED
6,712
73 km
2000
COW PEN
6,502
75 km
2010
CRIPPLE CHINOOK
6,035
75 km
2005
UNNAMED
5,819
69 km
2018
UNNAMED
5,803
84 km
2008
UNNAMED
5,657
77 km
1987
MACHINE GUN
5,601
76 km
1990
PIERCES CREEK
5,544
76 km
2020
369 D
5,362
71 km
2005
UNNAMED
5,062
27 km
2013
UNNAMED
4,999
30 km
2018
UNNAMED
4,991
71 km
2014
UNNAMED
4,899
78 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
47°F (9°C)
5.9 in
Coldest
February
50°F (10°C)
4.9 in
March
58°F (14°C)
6.3 in
Wettest
April
64°F (18°C)
5.3 in
May
71°F (22°C)
4.9 in
June
78°F (26°C)
3.9 in
July
82°F (28°C)
5.4 in
Warmest
August
80°F (27°C)
4.1 in
September
76°F (24°C)
4.0 in
October
65°F (18°C)
3.3 in
Driest
November
56°F (13°C)
4.7 in
December
49°F (10°C)
5.5 in
Sandersville has a seasonal temperature swing of 35°F / from 47°F in January to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 58.2 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.3") and October the driest (3.3").