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Weather & Climate in Section, AL
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Section enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (16°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 78°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 55.1 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 1,321 feet.
Temperature
40°F Jan (5°C)
78°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 59.9°F |
| 11% above US avg | |
| January Average | 40°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 78°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 301 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,321 ft (403 m) |
| Area | 4.6 sq mi (11.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 218/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.5816°N, 85.9849°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Jackson County County |
| Nearest Airport | Northeast Alabama Regional (GAD) 42 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 79.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 77.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 27.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
109 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.6.
| Apr 29, 2003 | 8 km S of Valley Head, Alabama | M4.6 | 34 km | 20 km |
| Dec 8, 2001 | 5 km SW of Pleasant Groves, Alabama | M3.9 | 27 km | 0 km |
| Jun 19, 2007 | 10 km ENE of Spencer, Tennessee | M3.5 | 146 km | 1 km |
| Jul 19, 1997 | 12 km E of Cohutta, Georgia | M3.5 | 115 km | 3 km |
| Mar 18, 1995 | 10 km SE of Dayton, Tennessee | M3.3 | 133 km | 26 km |
| May 6, 2010 | 11 km ENE of Whitesboro, Alabama | M3.2 | 44 km | 5 km |
| Mar 21, 2001 | 7 km ESE of Trenton, Georgia | M3.2 | 58 km | 0 km |
| Mar 7, 2001 | 6 km NW of Decatur, Tennessee | M3.2 | 149 km | 7 km |
| Mar 7, 2001 | 5 km WNW of Decatur, Tennessee | M3.2 | 148 km | 18 km |
| Apr 5, 1994 | 10 km N of Trenton, Georgia | M3.2 | 62 km | 24 km |
| May 10, 2020 | 7 km SSE of Sewanee, Tennessee | M3.1 | 63 km | 8 km |
| May 2, 2003 | 8 km S of Valley Head, Alabama | M3.1 | 36 km | 15 km |
| Jun 23, 2008 | 10 km ESE of Cohutta, Georgia | M3.1 | 111 km | 9 km |
| Oct 30, 1991 | 9 km NNE of Eton, Georgia | M3.1 | 122 km | 8 km |
| Jan 15, 1993 | 1 km N of Apison, Tennessee | M3.1 | 101 km | 8 km |
| Apr 29, 2003 | 7 km E of Fort Payne, Alabama | M3.1 | 35 km | 3 km |
| May 4, 1994 | 2 km NNW of Addison, Alabama | M3.0 | 118 km | 19 km |
| May 4, 2007 | 4 km SSW of Jasper, Alabama | M3.0 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Sep 13, 2011 | 1 km NNW of Leeds, Alabama | M3.0 | 125 km | 19 km |
| Nov 1, 2009 | 1 km ESE of South Cleveland, Tennessee | M3.0 | 120 km | 25 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
1 hurricane (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 1.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 1995 | Opal | Category 1 | — | 280 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
650 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 212 fatalities, 2,991 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF5 | 21 km | 36.6 mi | 25 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF5 | 98 km | 83.3 mi | 16 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 4 km | 47.0 mi | 14 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 25 km | 30.2 mi | 1 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 99 km | 40.2 mi | 4 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 81 km | 48.0 mi | 20 |
| Apr 24, 2010 | EF4 | 37 km | 16.6 mi | 0 |
| Feb 6, 2008 | EF4 | 17 km | 10.9 mi | 1 |
| Nov 24, 2001 | EF4 | 84 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1995 | EF4 | 99 km | 39.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF4 | 97 km | 50.0 mi | 22 |
| Nov 15, 1989 | EF4 | 61 km | 18.5 mi | 21 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 66 km | 27.5 mi | 11 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 86 km | 29.5 mi | 9 |
| May 19, 1973 | EF4 | 25 km | 5.4 mi | 0 |
| Nov 18, 1957 | EF4 | 83 km | 26.1 mi | 3 |
| Mar 22, 1952 | EF4 | 93 km | 21.6 mi | 4 |
| Feb 29, 1952 | EF4 | 83 km | 2.0 mi | 2 |
| Feb 13, 1952 | EF4 | 75 km | 12.7 mi | 3 |
| May 8, 2024 | EF3 | 13 km | 12.3 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (7,740 acres, 2014).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 7,740 | 95 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 5,844 | 94 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 4,213 | 91 km |
| 2022 | SC 540C/CHOCCOLOCCO | 3,750 | 92 km |
| 2020 | SC WEST END C AND D | 3,538 | 93 km |
| 2010 | UPPER SHOAL | 3,512 | 98 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 3,410 | 97 km |
| 2007 | PENTECOST | 3,095 | 68 km |
| 2024 | AL-MLR UNITS 2/3 RX | 2,836 | 97 km |
| 1987 | STATEC0045 | 2,669 | 43 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 2,642 | 98 km |
| 2010 | ML 0301 RX BURN | 2,631 | 97 km |
| 2019 | 540C | 2,622 | 94 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,611 | 96 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 2,584 | 100 km |
| 2021 | SC RATTLESNAKE M | 2,568 | 98 km |
| 2024 | SCK RATTLE SNAKE J-K-L-M RX | 2,510 | 97 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 2,405 | 40 km |
| 2021 | SC UPPER SHOAL A AND D | 2,348 | 98 km |
| 2007 | WILDCAT BRANCH WFIRE | 2,285 | 41 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40°F (5°C) | 5.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 42°F (5°C) | 5.3 in | |
| March | 50°F (10°C) | 6.6 in | Wettest |
| April | 58°F (14°C) | 5.1 in | |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 5.0 in | |
| June | 73°F (23°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 78°F (26°C) | 4.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 76°F (24°C) | 3.6 in | |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 4.7 in | |
| October | 59°F (15°C) | 3.5 in | Driest |
| November | 49°F (10°C) | 4.8 in | |
| December | 42°F (5°C) | 5.7 in |
Section has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 40°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 58.8 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.6") and October the driest (3.5").