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Weather & Climate in Sterling, GA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sterling enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 69°F (20°C). Winters average 53°F in January while summers reach 83°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 50.3 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 44. The city sits at an elevation of 16 feet.
Temperature
53°F Jan (11°C)
83°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 68.5°F |
| 27% above US avg | |
| January Average | 53°F (11°C) |
| July Average | 83°F (28°C) |
| Sunny Days | 306 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 16 ft (5 m) |
| Area | 4.3 sq mi (11.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 430/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 31.2622°N, 81.5531°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Glynn County County |
| Nearest Airport | Wright Army Air Field (Fort Stewart)/Midcoast Regional (LIY) 44 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 44.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 83.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 77.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 93.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
2 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.9.
| Jun 18, 2022 | 7 km E of Stillmore, Georgia | M3.9 | 144 km | 1 km |
| Jul 13, 2003 | 6 km N of Cobbtown, Georgia | M3.6 | 132 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
19 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 4.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2024 | Helene | Category 4 | 138 mph | 166 km |
| 2024 | Debby | Category 1 | 81 mph | 233 km |
| 2023 | Idalia | Category 4 | 132 mph | 125 km |
| 2022 | Ian | Category 1 | 86 mph | 244 km |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 176 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 3 | 115 mph | 179 km |
| 2018 | Michael | Category 1 | 92 mph | 241 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 3 | 121 mph | 92 km |
| 2016 | Hermine | Category 1 | 81 mph | 257 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 1 | 92 mph | 237 km |
| 2004 | Gaston | Category 1 | 75 mph | 258 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 86 mph | 129 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 3 | 115 mph | 243 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 1 | 81 mph | 176 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 98 mph | 281 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 4 | 138 mph | 238 km |
| 1985 | Kate | Category 1 | 75 mph | 187 km |
| 1985 | Bob | Category 1 | 75 mph | 104 km |
| 1984 | Diana | Category 3 | 115 mph | 171 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
241 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 7 fatalities, 211 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 5, 2022 | EF4 | 96 km | 14.4 mi | 1 |
| May 11, 2008 | EF4 | 19 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 2, 2018 | EF3 | 54 km | 7.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 18, 1968 | EF3 | 72 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 9, 2024 | EF2 | 41 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| May 23, 2017 | EF2 | 96 km | 7.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 2, 2009 | EF2 | 71 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 27, 2009 | EF2 | 84 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Mar 22, 2005 | EF2 | 51 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 12, 2004 | EF2 | 91 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 9, 1998 | EF2 | 67 km | 24.5 mi | 4 |
| Oct 26, 1997 | EF2 | 88 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 2, 1994 | EF2 | 59 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Feb 27, 1984 | EF2 | 46 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 23, 1980 | EF2 | 98 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 16, 1976 | EF2 | 70 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 1974 | EF2 | 82 km | 9.4 mi | 2 |
| May 12, 1974 | EF2 | 65 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Nov 9, 1973 | EF2 | 94 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 23, 1971 | EF2 | 91 km | 5.6 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BIG TURNAROUND COMPLEX (FLOYDS ISLAND PRAIRIE) (215,381 acres, 2007).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2007 | BIG TURNAROUND COMPLEX (FLOYDS ISLAND PRAIRIE) | 215,381 | 81 km |
| 2017 | WEST MIMS | 166,737 | 98 km |
| 2011 | HONEY PRAIRIE | 147,065 | 96 km |
| 2011 | CRAVENS HAMMOCK | 142,688 | 89 km |
| 2002 | BLACKJACK BAY COMPLEX | 107,076 | 97 km |
| 2007 | SWEAT FARM ROAD | 52,495 | 85 km |
| 2011 | SESSOM COMMUNITY FIRE | 20,916 | 93 km |
| 2011 | GA-19 (SAW FLY RD) | 19,730 | 64 km |
| 2011 | SWEAT FARM AGAIN | 19,698 | 93 km |
| 2011 | DURDIN PRAIRIE | 19,487 | 75 km |
| 1999 | HICKORY IS | 14,656 | 87 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 12,186 | 85 km |
| 2002 | BAY CREEK | 11,917 | 98 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 10,963 | 83 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 10,163 | 81 km |
| 2011 | RACEPOND | 7,951 | 66 km |
| 2000 | GA-2 | 7,319 | 83 km |
| 2001 | CRAVENS IS | 6,412 | 86 km |
| 2002 | NO.1WILD | 5,355 | 89 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 5,150 | 93 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 53°F (11°C) | 3.8 in | Coldest |
| February | 54°F (12°C) | 3.8 in | |
| March | 60°F (16°C) | 4.1 in | |
| April | 66°F (19°C) | 2.8 in | |
| May | 73°F (23°C) | 3.4 in | |
| June | 79°F (26°C) | 5.6 in | |
| July | 83°F (28°C) | 5.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 81°F (27°C) | 6.9 in | Wettest |
| September | 78°F (25°C) | 5.8 in | |
| October | 69°F (21°C) | 3.2 in | |
| November | 61°F (16°C) | 2.5 in | Driest |
| December | 54°F (12°C) | 3.1 in |
Sterling has a seasonal temperature swing of 30°F / from 53°F in January to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 50.7 inches, with August being the wettest month (6.9") and November the driest (2.5").