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Weather & Climate in Vail, IA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Vail experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 260 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 33.6 inches. The area receives 34.5 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 1,259 feet.
Temperature
19°F Jan (-7°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 47.5°F |
| 12% below US avg | |
| January Average | 19°F (-7°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 260 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,259 ft (384 m) |
| Area | 0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 756/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 42.0597°N, 95.2005°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Crawford County County |
| Nearest Airport | Fort Dodge Regional (FOD) 62 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 60.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 28.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 23.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively 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 | 86 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
539 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 16 fatalities, 277 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 27, 1953 | EF5 | 80 km | 0.1 mi | 1 |
| Oct 4, 2013 | EF4 | 81 km | 24.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 9, 2011 | EF4 | 80 km | 3.2 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 1995 | EF4 | 55 km | 30.0 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 1995 | EF4 | 25 km | 36.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 1979 | EF4 | 80 km | 14.9 mi | 3 |
| Jun 26, 1976 | EF4 | 76 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1967 | EF4 | 98 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1965 | EF4 | 66 km | 9.9 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1959 | EF4 | 78 km | 41.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1954 | EF4 | 47 km | 9.9 mi | 1 |
| Jun 23, 1952 | EF4 | 94 km | 24.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 2024 | EF3 | 89 km | 40.3 mi | 1 |
| Jul 14, 2021 | EF3 | 41 km | 10.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 9, 2011 | EF3 | 51 km | 29.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 9, 2011 | EF3 | 34 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 9, 2011 | EF3 | 53 km | 3.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 2008 | EF3 | 81 km | 14.2 mi | 4 |
| Nov 12, 2005 | EF3 | 93 km | 17.6 mi | 1 |
| Jun 11, 2004 | EF3 | 95 km | 6.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
2 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (4,195 acres, 2005).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 4,195 | 88 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 629 | 91 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19°F (-7°C) | 0.8 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 24°F (-4°C) | 0.8 in | |
| March | 36°F (2°C) | 2.1 in | |
| April | 49°F (9°C) | 2.9 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 4.2 in | |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 4.4 in | Wettest |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 3.6 in | Warmest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 3.8 in | |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 3.7 in | |
| October | 51°F (11°C) | 2.3 in | |
| November | 35°F (2°C) | 1.3 in | |
| December | 23°F (-5°C) | 0.9 in |
Vail has a seasonal temperature swing of 55°F / from 19°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 30.8 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.4") and January the driest (0.8").