Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Shorter enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 45°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. The area gets 304 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 54.0 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 192 feet.
Temperature
45°F Jan (7°C)80°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average
63.2°F
17% above US avg
January Average
45°F (7°C)
July Average
80°F (27°C)
Sunny Days
304 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
192 ft (59 m)
Area
4.6 sq mi (11.8 km²)
Population Density
72/sq mi
Coordinates
32.4115°N, 85.9728°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Macon County County
Nearest Airport
Montgomery Regional (Dannelly Field) (MGM) 26 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall54.0"
42% above US avg
Snowfall0.3"
Wettest Month (Mar)6.65"
Driest Month (Oct)2.68"
Air Quality
AQI Median
41.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Very Low
Risk Score
23.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability
92.5 / 100
Community Resilience
55.8 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
Hurricane
Relatively Low
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Very Low
Hail
Very Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Low
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Very Low
Lightning
Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm
Very Low
Drought
Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave
Very Low
Landslide
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
18 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M3.6.
Aug 19, 2004
8 km W of Brantleyville, Alabama
M3.6
128 km
5 km
Apr 21, 2009
12 km S of Centreville, Alabama
M3.4
115 km
13 km
May 9, 2004
8 km WNW of Brantleyville, Alabama
M3.3
130 km
5 km
Mar 20, 2004
11 km NW of Wilton, Alabama
M3.0
124 km
0 km
Sep 13, 2011
1 km NNW of Leeds, Alabama
M3.0
139 km
19 km
Apr 22, 2009
15 km S of Centreville, Alabama
M2.9
114 km
8 km
Feb 17, 1991
6 km N of Goldville, Alabama
M2.9
83 km
1 km
Mar 28, 1991
5 km NNW of Westover, Alabama
M2.9
122 km
28 km
Aug 28, 2004
13 km SSE of Centreville, Alabama
M2.8
113 km
28 km
Sep 14, 2011
0 km WNW of Trussville, Alabama
M2.6
147 km
11 km
May 28, 2004
2 km WNW of Brantleyville, Alabama
M2.6
125 km
5 km
Apr 15, 2001
9 km E of Bon Air, Alabama
M2.6
98 km
5 km
Apr 15, 2001
12 km SW of Talladega, Alabama
M2.6
108 km
11 km
Sep 14, 2011
4 km ESE of Trussville, Alabama
M2.5
143 km
11 km
May 26, 2004
3 km NNW of Brantleyville, Alabama
M2.5
126 km
5 km
Mar 17, 2009
5 km W of Ragland, Alabama
M2.5
150 km
8 km
Oct 6, 2003
11 km SW of Talladega, Alabama
M2.5
109 km
0 km
Jan 4, 2008
14 km N of Hollins, Alabama
M2.5
94 km
0 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
11 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
281 km
2020
Sally
Category 2
109 mph
224 km
2020
Zeta
Category 1
—
298 km
2018
Michael
Category 5
161 mph
172 km
2005
Dennis
Category 3
127 mph
219 km
2004
Ivan
Category 3
121 mph
198 km
1998
Earl
Category 1
81 mph
258 km
1997
Danny
Category 1
81 mph
289 km
1995
Opal
Category 3
115 mph
61 km
1995
Erin
Category 2
98 mph
248 km
1985
Kate
Category 2
98 mph
233 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
557 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 77 fatalities, 1,271 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Mar 3, 2019
EF4
46 km
68.0 mi
23
Apr 27, 2011
EF4
31 km
44.2 mi
7
Apr 18, 1969
EF4
90 km
52.4 mi
2
May 1, 1953
EF4
90 km
12.1 mi
7
Mar 26, 2023
EF3
91 km
21.5 mi
0
Jan 12, 2023
EF3
72 km
82.3 mi
7
Apr 29, 2014
EF3
70 km
11.5 mi
0
Apr 15, 2011
EF3
60 km
9.3 mi
3
Feb 17, 2008
EF3
48 km
14.7 mi
0
Mar 18, 1996
EF3
27 km
24.0 mi
0
May 3, 1984
EF3
40 km
7.0 mi
5
Apr 1, 1981
EF3
57 km
0.1 mi
2
Nov 25, 1979
EF3
26 km
10.2 mi
0
Mar 12, 1976
EF3
25 km
4.9 mi
0
Mar 12, 1976
EF3
91 km
16.5 mi
0
Dec 19, 1974
EF3
54 km
0.5 mi
0
Dec 19, 1974
EF3
77 km
11.3 mi
0
Jan 26, 1974
EF3
93 km
21.3 mi
1
Mar 3, 1971
EF3
78 km
2.0 mi
0
Mar 2, 1971
EF3
81 km
23.8 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: UNNAMED (13,987 acres, 2006).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2006
UNNAMED
13,987
47 km
2005
UNNAMED
10,827
54 km
2006
UNNAMED
7,788
54 km
2006
UNNAMED
6,753
65 km
2005
UNNAMED
5,854
47 km
2005
UNNAMED
5,600
64 km
2005
UNNAMED
5,442
51 km
2017
UNNAMED
5,157
91 km
2006
UNNAMED
3,733
52 km
2006
UNNAMED
3,694
47 km
2015
UNNAMED
3,482
98 km
2010
WIREGRASS
3,467
87 km
2006
UNNAMED
3,362
50 km
2006
UNNAMED
3,305
68 km
2006
UNNAMED
3,267
12 km
2006
UNNAMED
3,018
26 km
2006
UNNAMED
2,916
30 km
2004
UNNAMED
2,754
98 km
2020
OK COMPARTMENT 135/136
2,727
100 km
2005
UNNAMED
2,718
67 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
45°F (7°C)
5.0 in
Coldest
February
50°F (10°C)
5.5 in
March
57°F (14°C)
6.7 in
Wettest
April
64°F (18°C)
5.0 in
May
72°F (22°C)
3.8 in
June
78°F (26°C)
4.2 in
July
80°F (27°C)
5.0 in
August
80°F (27°C)
4.0 in
Warmest
September
76°F (24°C)
3.8 in
October
65°F (19°C)
2.7 in
Driest
November
56°F (13°C)
4.2 in
December
49°F (9°C)
5.2 in
Shorter has a seasonal temperature swing of 35°F / from 45°F in January to 80°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 55.0 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.7") and October the driest (2.7").