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Weather & Climate in Winterset, IA

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Winterset experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 275 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 34.8 inches. The area receives 30.7 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 1,105 feet.

Temperature

20°F Jan (-7°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average48.1°F
11% below US avg
January Average20°F (-7°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,105 ft (337 m)
Area4.7 sq mi (12.2 km²)
Population Density1,143/sq mi
Coordinates41.3499°N, 94.0181°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyMadison County County
Nearest AirportDes Moines International (DSM)
19 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 34.8"
8% below US avg
Snowfall 30.7"
Wettest Month (Jun) 4.72"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.91"

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score35.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability54.7 / 100
Community Resilience88.7 / 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 Relatively Low
Winter Weather Relatively Low
Lightning Relatively Low
Ice Storm Relatively Low
Drought Relatively High
Cold Wave Relatively Low
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: M3.1.

Feb 11, 1995 6 km E of Clearmont, Missouri M3.1 122 km 5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

689 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 25 fatalities, 379 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Jun 13, 1976 EF5 66 km 21.3 mi 0
Jun 27, 1953 EF5 58 km 0.1 mi 1
May 21, 2024 EF4 91 km 40.7 mi 5
Mar 5, 2022 EF4 20 km 70.6 mi 6
Apr 8, 1999 EF4 93 km 49.0 mi 0
Apr 8, 1999 EF4 44 km 56.0 mi 0
May 27, 1995 EF4 46 km 57.0 mi 0
May 27, 1995 EF4 71 km 30.0 mi 0
May 24, 1989 EF4 99 km 66.0 mi 0
May 24, 1989 EF4 72 km 49.0 mi 0
Sep 28, 1986 EF4 57 km 20.0 mi 0
Jun 2, 1980 EF4 82 km 31.2 mi 0
Jun 18, 1974 EF4 54 km 15.3 mi 2
May 10, 1959 EF4 54 km 41.1 mi 0
May 10, 1953 EF4 79 km 6.4 mi 0
Mar 5, 2022 EF3 70 km 11.3 mi 1
Aug 20, 2019 EF3 43 km 5.4 mi 0
Jul 19, 2018 EF3 91 km 9.2 mi 0
Jun 22, 2015 EF3 78 km 11.1 mi 0
Nov 12, 2005 EF3 91 km 17.6 mi 1
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 67 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 20°F (-7°C) 0.9 in Coldest, Driest
February 26°F (-3°C) 1.0 in
March 38°F (3°C) 2.2 in
April 50°F (10°C) 3.3 in
May 61°F (16°C) 4.1 in
June 71°F (21°C) 4.7 in Wettest
July 73°F (23°C) 3.9 in Warmest
August 72°F (22°C) 3.9 in
September 64°F (18°C) 3.9 in
October 52°F (11°C) 2.6 in
November 37°F (3°C) 1.9 in
December 25°F (-4°C) 1.1 in

Winterset has a seasonal temperature swing of 53°F / from 20°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 33.7 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.7") and January the driest (0.9").

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