All Countries
Weather & Climate in Tuscaloosa, AL
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Tuscaloosa enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 66°F (19°C). Winters average 52°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. The area gets 311 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 45.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. 89% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 292 feet.
Temperature
52°F Jan (11°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 65.9°F |
| 22% above US avg | |
| January Average | 52°F (11°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 311 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 292 ft (89 m) |
| Area | 70.4 sq mi (182.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,722/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 33.2344°N, 87.5283°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Tuscaloosa County County |
| Nearest Airport | Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International (BHM) 50 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 37.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 88.6% |
| Unhealthy Days | 2 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 90.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 55.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 71.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
64 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 | 52 km | 5 km |
| Jun 30, 2015 | 12 km W of Union, Alabama | M3.5 | 56 km | 0 km |
| May 28, 1995 | 14 km WSW of Coker, Alabama | M3.4 | 28 km | 1 km |
| Jun 24, 1998 | 11 km W of Demopolis, Alabama | M3.4 | 91 km | 5 km |
| Apr 21, 2009 | 12 km S of Centreville, Alabama | M3.4 | 60 km | 13 km |
| May 9, 2004 | 8 km WNW of Brantleyville, Alabama | M3.3 | 53 km | 5 km |
| Jul 15, 1995 | 21 km SSW of Berry, Alabama | M3.3 | 30 km | 1 km |
| Sep 2, 1990 | 12 km NW of Fayette, Alabama | M3.2 | 69 km | 1 km |
| Jun 23, 1990 | 12 km E of Vernon, Alabama | M3.2 | 72 km | 1 km |
| Mar 12, 2015 | 14 km W of Union, Alabama | M3.1 | 58 km | 0 km |
| Jun 23, 1990 | 8 km N of Belk, Alabama | M3.1 | 67 km | 6 km |
| Jun 28, 2008 | 7 km WNW of Brookwood, Alabama | M3.1 | 13 km | 5 km |
| Feb 27, 2015 | 11 km WSW of Union, Alabama | M3.1 | 56 km | 0 km |
| May 21, 2002 | 7 km ESE of York, Alabama | M3.0 | 108 km | 27 km |
| May 28, 2000 | 3 km NE of Fayette, Alabama | M3.0 | 59 km | 0 km |
| May 4, 1994 | 12 km NNW of Addison, Alabama | M3.0 | 121 km | 5 km |
| Mar 20, 2004 | 11 km NW of Wilton, Alabama | M3.0 | 52 km | 0 km |
| May 4, 2007 | 4 km SSW of Jasper, Alabama | M3.0 | 66 km | 5 km |
| Sep 11, 1992 | 5 km SSE of Riverview, Alabama | M3.0 | 8 km | 7 km |
| May 28, 2000 | 13 km S of Winfield, Alabama | M3.0 | 70 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
7 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2020 | Sally | Category 1 | — | 271 km |
| 2020 | Zeta | Category 1 | — | 241 km |
| 2005 | Dennis | Category 2 | — | 272 km |
| 2005 | Katrina | Category 1 | 92 mph | 230 km |
| 2004 | Ivan | Category 2 | 81 mph | 205 km |
| 1995 | Erin | Category 1 | 75 mph | 293 km |
| 1995 | Opal | Category 1 | 92 mph | 159 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
650 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 267 fatalities, 4,067 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 8, 1998 | EF5 | 27 km | 30.3 mi | 32 |
| Apr 4, 1977 | EF5 | 64 km | 14.7 mi | 22 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF5 | 87 km | 79.5 mi | 28 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 61 km | 127.8 mi | 13 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 44 km | 80.7 mi | 64 |
| Dec 16, 2000 | EF4 | 26 km | 18.0 mi | 11 |
| Feb 23, 1975 | EF4 | 18 km | 14.4 mi | 1 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 63 km | 110.6 mi | 3 |
| May 27, 1973 | EF4 | 82 km | 139.1 mi | 7 |
| Mar 6, 1967 | EF4 | 62 km | 20.9 mi | 2 |
| Mar 11, 1963 | EF4 | 94 km | 28.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 5, 1963 | EF4 | 54 km | 14.9 mi | 0 |
| Nov 17, 1957 | EF4 | 81 km | 7.2 mi | 4 |
| Apr 15, 1956 | EF4 | 60 km | 21.3 mi | 25 |
| Mar 30, 2022 | EF3 | 66 km | 29.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 25, 2021 | EF3 | 64 km | 79.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 25, 2021 | EF3 | 33 km | 11.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 25, 2021 | EF3 | 36 km | 50.1 mi | 0 |
| Jan 25, 2021 | EF3 | 77 km | 10.4 mi | 1 |
| Feb 23, 2019 | EF3 | 89 km | 9.7 mi | 1 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: OAK COMPARTMENT 50/51 RX (5,018 acres, 2024).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2024 | OAK COMPARTMENT 50/51 RX | 5,018 | 36 km |
| 2019 | OK C-49 | 4,745 | 36 km |
| 2022 | OK TORNADO UNIT | 4,504 | 28 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 4,279 | 71 km |
| 2022 | OK COMP 40/53 | 4,093 | 38 km |
| 2020 | OK PAYNE LAKE | 4,078 | 38 km |
| 2022 | OK C-1/2/3/4 COMBINED | 3,841 | 26 km |
| 2022 | OK COMP 50/51/52 | 3,786 | 40 km |
| 2024 | OAK COMP 16/17/18 RX | 3,579 | 28 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 3,556 | 79 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 3,507 | 73 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 3,482 | 77 km |
| 2021 | OK 234 | 3,482 | 35 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 3,414 | 38 km |
| 2022 | OK C-36/38/39 COMBINED | 3,373 | 34 km |
| 2021 | OK COMP 33 AND 43 | 3,164 | 34 km |
| 2021 | OK COMP 49 | 3,146 | 38 km |
| 2022 | OK COMP 14 | 3,140 | 30 km |
| 2024 | OAK COMP 55/56 RX | 3,088 | 41 km |
| 2021 | OK 232 UNIT | 2,977 | 31 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 52°F (11°C) | 5.7 in | |
| February | 47°F (8°C) | 5.1 in | |
| March | 55°F (13°C) | 6.4 in | Wettest |
| April | 62°F (17°C) | 5.2 in | |
| May | 70°F (21°C) | 4.5 in | |
| June | 77°F (25°C) | 4.2 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 5.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 80°F (27°C) | 3.8 in | |
| September | 75°F (24°C) | 3.6 in | |
| October | 63°F (17°C) | 3.5 in | Driest |
| November | 54°F (12°C) | 4.6 in | |
| December | 46°F (8°C) | 5.2 in | Coldest |
Tuscaloosa has a seasonal temperature swing of 35°F / from 46°F in December to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 57.2 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.4") and October the driest (3.5").