Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Watertown enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 67°F (20°C). Winters average 52°F in January while summers reach 80°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 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 190 feet.
Temperature
52°F Jan (11°C)80°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average
67.2°F
24% above US avg
January Average
52°F (11°C)
July Average
80°F (27°C)
Sunny Days
306 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
190 ft (58 m)
Area
2.5 sq mi (6.4 km²)
Population Density
1,132/sq mi
Coordinates
30.1859°N, 82.6024°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Columbia County County
Nearest Airport
Gainesville Regional (GNV) 40 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall54.0"
42% above US avg
Snowfall0.0"
Wettest Month (Aug)7.64"
Driest Month (Nov)2.40"
Air Quality
AQI Median
41.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
69.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability
71.4 / 100
Community Resilience
29.3 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Moderate
Hurricane
Relatively Moderate
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Relatively Low
Flood
Relatively Low
Hail
Very Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Low
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Very Low
Lightning
Relatively High
Drought
Very Low
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
Landslide
Very Low
Coastal Flood
No Rating
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Hurricane History
21 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
108 km
2024
Milton
Category 2
81 mph
264 km
2024
Debby
Category 1
81 mph
83 km
2023
Idalia
Category 4
132 mph
82 km
2022
Ian
Category 2
75 mph
281 km
2020
Isaias
Category 1
75 mph
300 km
2019
Dorian
Category 3
115 mph
279 km
2018
Michael
Category 5
161 mph
233 km
2017
Irma
Category 1
75 mph
224 km
2016
Matthew
Category 3
127 mph
183 km
2016
Hermine
Category 1
81 mph
135 km
2004
Jeanne
Category 2
86 mph
250 km
2004
Charley
Category 1
86 mph
174 km
2000
Gordon
Category 1
75 mph
270 km
1999
Irene
Category 1
75 mph
269 km
1998
Earl
Category 1
81 mph
298 km
1995
Erin
Category 1
86 mph
255 km
1985
Elena
Category 3
127 mph
193 km
1985
Kate
Category 2
98 mph
169 km
1985
Bob
Category 1
75 mph
205 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
360 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 11 fatalities, 129 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Apr 19, 1988
EF3
84 km
12.0 mi
4
Feb 27, 1984
EF3
57 km
7.0 mi
0
Feb 25, 1960
EF3
3 km
0.8 mi
0
Feb 4, 2024
EF2
87 km
7.3 mi
0
Dec 29, 2014
EF2
96 km
0.7 mi
0
Mar 7, 2008
EF2
5 km
1.5 mi
1
Apr 15, 2007
EF2
51 km
1.5 mi
0
Dec 25, 2006
EF2
19 km
2.7 mi
0
Dec 5, 2005
EF2
91 km
3.0 mi
0
Aug 12, 2004
EF2
83 km
7.0 mi
0
Mar 29, 2001
EF2
89 km
12.0 mi
0
Mar 13, 2001
EF2
45 km
3.5 mi
0
Sep 29, 1998
EF2
50 km
2.0 mi
0
Feb 2, 1996
EF2
86 km
6.0 mi
0
Mar 12, 1993
EF2
81 km
1.0 mi
3
Nov 5, 1988
EF2
75 km
8.0 mi
1
Apr 19, 1988
EF2
77 km
2.0 mi
0
Mar 14, 1986
EF2
66 km
2.0 mi
0
Feb 27, 1984
EF2
72 km
3.0 mi
0
Apr 23, 1983
EF2
59 km
15.0 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 (328,827 acres, 2007).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2007
BIG TURNAROUND COMPLEX
328,827
51 km
2007
BIG TURNAROUND COMPLEX (FLOYDS ISLAND PRAIRIE)
215,381
88 km
2017
WEST MIMS
166,737
60 km
2011
HONEY PRAIRIE
147,065
63 km
2011
CRAVENS HAMMOCK
142,688
74 km
2002
BLACKJACK BAY COMPLEX
107,076
62 km
1999
FRIENDLY
75,089
45 km
2001
UNNAMED
59,179
53 km
2012
COUNTY LINE
35,440
39 km
2004
IMPASSABLE ONE
29,836
34 km
1985
UNNAMED
25,845
76 km
1998
OAK
21,478
18 km
1990
SHORTS
21,413
60 km
2011
DURDIN PRAIRIE
19,487
85 km
2004
UNNAMED
18,577
19 km
1998
UNNAMED
16,594
55 km
1989
PIN HOOK
16,471
39 km
1999
HICKORY IS
14,656
82 km
2014
UNNAMED
14,543
28 km
1998
UNNAMED
13,873
35 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
52°F (11°C)
4.3 in
Coldest
February
56°F (13°C)
3.9 in
March
62°F (16°C)
4.7 in
April
67°F (19°C)
3.2 in
May
74°F (23°C)
3.9 in
June
79°F (26°C)
6.5 in
July
80°F (27°C)
6.9 in
August
81°F (27°C)
7.6 in
Warmest, Wettest
September
78°F (25°C)
4.7 in
October
69°F (21°C)
2.4 in
November
62°F (16°C)
2.4 in
Driest
December
55°F (13°C)
3.2 in
Watertown has a seasonal temperature swing of 28°F / from 52°F in January to 81°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 53.6 inches, with August being the wettest month (7.6") and November the driest (2.4").