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Weather & Climate in Sanford, AL
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sanford enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 69°F (20°C). Winters average 52°F in January while summers reach 84°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 59.1 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 296 feet.
Temperature
52°F Jan (11°C)
84°F Jul (29°C)
| Annual Average | 68.8°F |
| 27% above US avg | |
| January Average | 52°F (11°C) |
| July Average | 84°F (29°C) |
| Sunny Days | 306 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 296 ft (90 m) |
| Area | 4.2 sq mi (10.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 55/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 31.2988°N, 86.3988°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Covington County County |
| Nearest Airport | Dothan Regional (DHN) 56 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
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 | 92 km | 10 km |
| Oct 26, 1997 | 11 km NNW of Flomaton, Alabama | M3.7 | 89 km | 10 km |
| Sep 30, 2003 | 10 km NNW of Atmore, Alabama | M3.3 | 109 km | 5 km |
| May 4, 1997 | 9 km ESE of Atmore, Alabama | M3.1 | 101 km | 5 km |
| Mar 11, 2019 | 4 km N of Flomaton, Alabama | M3.1 | 88 km | 5 km |
| Apr 11, 2019 | 6 km NNW of Pollard, Alabama | M3.1 | 80 km | 10 km |
| Oct 28, 1997 | 11 km NNW of Flomaton, Alabama | M3.0 | 89 km | 10 km |
| Sep 25, 2003 | 14 km N of Atmore, Alabama | M2.9 | 108 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 | 92 km | 5 km |
| Sep 5, 2000 | 1 km ENE of Monroeville, Alabama | M2.5 | 90 km | 3 km |
| Apr 11, 2019 | 8 km NW of Pollard, Alabama | M2.5 | 83 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 | 282 km |
| 2020 | Sally | Category 2 | 109 mph | 110 km |
| 2020 | Zeta | Category 1 | — | 238 km |
| 2018 | Michael | Category 5 | 161 mph | 147 km |
| 2017 | Nate | Category 1 | 86 mph | 268 km |
| 2016 | Hermine | Category 1 | 81 mph | 255 km |
| 2005 | Dennis | Category 4 | 127 mph | 102 km |
| 2005 | Katrina | Category 1 | — | 292 km |
| 2004 | Ivan | Category 3 | 127 mph | 124 km |
| 1998 | Earl | Category 2 | 98 mph | 149 km |
| 1998 | Georges | Category 2 | 109 mph | 251 km |
| 1997 | Danny | Category 1 | 81 mph | 175 km |
| 1995 | Opal | Category 3 | 127 mph | 51 km |
| 1995 | Erin | Category 2 | 98 mph | 131 km |
| 1985 | Elena | Category 3 | 127 mph | 198 km |
| 1985 | Kate | Category 2 | 98 mph | 173 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
584 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 23 fatalities, 528 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 1, 2007 | EF4 | 46 km | 10.3 mi | 9 |
| Apr 23, 1971 | EF4 | 88 km | 25.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 18, 1969 | EF4 | 63 km | 52.4 mi | 2 |
| Nov 25, 1986 | EF3 | 45 km | 44.0 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 1983 | EF3 | 45 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 19, 1974 | EF3 | 68 km | 11.3 mi | 0 |
| Dec 19, 1974 | EF3 | 81 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 30, 1973 | EF3 | 73 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 29, 1973 | EF3 | 48 km | 11.6 mi | 0 |
| Dec 29, 1973 | EF3 | 100 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 1971 | EF3 | 26 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 3, 1971 | EF3 | 72 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 2, 1971 | EF3 | 59 km | 23.8 mi | 0 |
| Dec 10, 1967 | EF3 | 80 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Dec 10, 1961 | EF3 | 65 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 3, 1956 | EF3 | 36 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 2024 | EF2 | 78 km | 24.2 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 2024 | EF2 | 80 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 9, 2024 | EF2 | 92 km | 34.8 mi | 1 |
| Jan 22, 2023 | EF2 | 99 km | 0.8 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 | 99 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 9,706 | 65 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 9,046 | 25 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 7,660 | 80 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 5,692 | 67 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 5,616 | 68 km |
| 2013 | LOW KEY | 5,554 | 98 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 5,525 | 46 km |
| 2012 | UNNAMED | 4,627 | 57 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 4,577 | 53 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 4,523 | 54 km |
| 2011 | UNNAMED | 4,486 | 76 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 4,397 | 54 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 4,235 | 64 km |
| 2012 | UNNAMED | 4,231 | 77 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 4,200 | 86 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 4,141 | 75 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 4,119 | 76 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 4,106 | 100 km |
| 2011 | UNNAMED | 4,032 | 68 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 52°F (11°C) | 5.2 in | |
| February | 51°F (11°C) | 5.6 in | |
| March | 58°F (15°C) | 6.5 in | Wettest |
| April | 64°F (18°C) | 4.2 in | |
| May | 72°F (22°C) | 4.5 in | |
| June | 78°F (25°C) | 5.3 in | |
| July | 84°F (29°C) | 6.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 80°F (27°C) | 5.2 in | |
| September | 76°F (24°C) | 4.4 in | |
| October | 66°F (19°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| November | 57°F (14°C) | 4.1 in | |
| December | 51°F (10°C) | 5.1 in | Coldest |
Sanford has a seasonal temperature swing of 33°F / from 51°F in December to 84°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 59.2 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.5") and October the driest (3.1").