Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Stratford experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area gets 260 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 37.2 inches. The area receives 32.9 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 1,114 feet.
Temperature
17°F Jan (-9°C)72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average
46.1°F
15% below US avg
January Average
17°F (-9°C)
July Average
72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days
260 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
1,114 ft (340 m)
Area
1.9 sq mi (4.9 km²)
Population Density
382/sq mi
Coordinates
42.2696°N, 93.9274°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Hamilton County County
Nearest Airport
Fort Dodge Regional (FOD) 24 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall37.2"
2% below US avg
Snowfall32.9"
Wettest Month (Jun)4.92"
Driest Month (Jan)0.79"
Air Quality
AQI Median
43.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
42.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability
22.4 / 100
Community Resilience
71.5 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
Hurricane
Very Low
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Low
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave
Very Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Moderate
Lightning
Very Low
Ice Storm
Relatively Low
Drought
Relatively High
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
Landslide
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1 earthquake (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M2.7.
Jun 30, 2021
4 km E of Rembrandt, Iowa
M2.7
115 km
10 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
712 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 43 fatalities, 1,086 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
May 25, 2008
EF5
92 km
41.0 mi
9
Jun 13, 1976
EF5
38 km
21.3 mi
0
May 15, 1968
EF5
87 km
62.1 mi
13
Oct 14, 1966
EF5
63 km
9.7 mi
6
Apr 9, 2011
EF4
92 km
3.2 mi
0
May 27, 1995
EF4
81 km
30.0 mi
0
May 27, 1995
EF4
83 km
36.0 mi
0
May 30, 1989
EF4
62 km
11.0 mi
0
May 24, 1989
EF4
10 km
66.0 mi
0
Sep 28, 1986
EF4
64 km
20.0 mi
0
Jun 28, 1979
EF4
68 km
14.9 mi
3
May 4, 1977
EF4
34 km
2.0 mi
0
Jun 18, 1974
EF4
65 km
15.3 mi
2
Jun 8, 1967
EF4
35 km
2.0 mi
0
May 5, 1965
EF4
45 km
9.9 mi
0
Aug 29, 1964
EF4
76 km
15.8 mi
0
Sep 1, 1961
EF4
95 km
26.6 mi
0
Jun 9, 1954
EF4
65 km
9.9 mi
1
May 10, 1953
EF4
95 km
26.6 mi
0
Jul 14, 2021
EF3
70 km
10.8 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: NEAL SMITH WUI 2016 1 (1,050 acres, 2016).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2016
NEAL SMITH WUI 2016 1
1,050
93 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
17°F (-9°C)
0.8 in
Coldest, Driest
February
23°F (-5°C)
0.9 in
March
35°F (2°C)
2.1 in
April
48°F (9°C)
3.2 in
May
60°F (16°C)
4.1 in
June
70°F (21°C)
4.9 in
Wettest
July
72°F (22°C)
4.1 in
Warmest
August
71°F (22°C)
4.1 in
September
63°F (17°C)
3.4 in
October
51°F (11°C)
2.5 in
November
36°F (2°C)
1.6 in
December
22°F (-6°C)
1.2 in
Stratford has a seasonal temperature swing of 55°F / from 17°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 32.7 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.9") and January the driest (0.8").