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Weather & Climate in Waycross, GA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Waycross enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 67°F (20°C). Winters average 50°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 50.4 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 134 feet.
Temperature
50°F Jan (10°C)
83°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 67.3°F |
| 25% above US avg | |
| January Average | 50°F (10°C) |
| July Average | 83°F (28°C) |
| Sunny Days | 306 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 134 ft (41 m) |
| Area | 11.9 sq mi (30.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,163/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 31.2110°N, 82.3577°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Ware County County |
| Nearest Airport | Valdosta Regional (VLD) 62 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 44.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 49.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 78.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 81.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
4 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 | 140 km | 1 km |
| Jul 13, 2003 | 6 km N of Cobbtown, Georgia | M3.6 | 127 km | 5 km |
| Mar 4, 1996 | 9 km SW of Soperton, Georgia | M2.5 | 126 km | 1 km |
| May 17, 1997 | 9 km SW of Soperton, Georgia | M2.5 | 126 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
14 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 | 90 km |
| 2024 | Debby | Category 1 | 81 mph | 177 km |
| 2023 | Idalia | Category 4 | 132 mph | 55 km |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 75 mph | 253 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 3 | 115 mph | 254 km |
| 2018 | Michael | Category 5 | 161 mph | 176 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 3 | 121 mph | 168 km |
| 2016 | Hermine | Category 1 | 81 mph | 187 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 86 mph | 194 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 1 | 75 mph | 250 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 4 | 138 mph | 299 km |
| 1985 | Kate | Category 2 | 98 mph | 113 km |
| 1985 | Bob | Category 1 | 75 mph | 178 km |
| 1984 | Diana | Category 1 | 81 mph | 239 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
293 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 9 fatalities, 206 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 11, 2008 | EF4 | 88 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 2, 2018 | EF3 | 91 km | 7.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 3, 2012 | EF3 | 88 km | 10.5 mi | 0 |
| Nov 18, 1968 | EF3 | 7 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1957 | EF3 | 99 km | 14.7 mi | 1 |
| May 11, 1952 | EF3 | 87 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 9, 2024 | EF2 | 37 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| Feb 4, 2024 | EF2 | 94 km | 7.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 24, 2021 | EF2 | 67 km | 8.2 mi | 0 |
| Dec 29, 2014 | EF2 | 99 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Dec 2, 2009 | EF2 | 35 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 2007 | EF2 | 76 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 5, 2005 | EF2 | 56 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 22, 2005 | EF2 | 44 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 12, 2004 | EF2 | 98 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 12, 2002 | EF2 | 70 km | 3.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 9, 1998 | EF2 | 88 km | 24.5 mi | 4 |
| Oct 26, 1997 | EF2 | 36 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 2, 1994 | EF2 | 94 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Feb 27, 1984 | EF2 | 83 km | 3.0 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 | 69 km |
| 2007 | BIG TURNAROUND COMPLEX (FLOYDS ISLAND PRAIRIE) | 215,381 | 30 km |
| 2017 | WEST MIMS | 166,737 | 63 km |
| 2011 | HONEY PRAIRIE | 147,065 | 58 km |
| 2011 | CRAVENS HAMMOCK | 142,688 | 45 km |
| 2002 | BLACKJACK BAY COMPLEX | 107,076 | 59 km |
| 1999 | FRIENDLY | 75,089 | 74 km |
| 2007 | SWEAT FARM ROAD | 52,495 | 13 km |
| 2012 | COUNTY LINE | 35,440 | 79 km |
| 2004 | IMPASSABLE ONE | 29,836 | 87 km |
| 1998 | OAK | 21,478 | 100 km |
| 1990 | SHORTS | 21,413 | 57 km |
| 2011 | SESSOM COMMUNITY FIRE | 20,916 | 27 km |
| 2011 | GA-19 (SAW FLY RD) | 19,730 | 27 km |
| 2011 | SWEAT FARM AGAIN | 19,698 | 16 km |
| 2011 | DURDIN PRAIRIE | 19,487 | 43 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 18,577 | 98 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 16,594 | 87 km |
| 1989 | PIN HOOK | 16,471 | 80 km |
| 1999 | HICKORY IS | 14,656 | 36 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 50°F (10°C) | 4.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 54°F (12°C) | 4.0 in | |
| March | 60°F (16°C) | 4.5 in | |
| April | 66°F (19°C) | 3.1 in | |
| May | 73°F (23°C) | 3.7 in | |
| June | 79°F (26°C) | 5.5 in | |
| July | 83°F (28°C) | 6.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 81°F (27°C) | 6.5 in | Wettest |
| September | 77°F (25°C) | 3.7 in | |
| October | 68°F (20°C) | 2.6 in | Driest |
| November | 60°F (15°C) | 2.6 in | |
| December | 53°F (12°C) | 3.6 in |
Waycross has a seasonal temperature swing of 32°F / from 50°F in January to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 50.6 inches, with August being the wettest month (6.5") and October the driest (2.6").