Weather and climate in Huntsville (Alabama)

The climate of Huntsville is temperate, with relatively cold winters and hot, muggy summers, during which there are quite frequent thunderstorms.
The city is located in northern Alabama, just north of the Tennessee River, at 200 meters (650 feet) above sea level. Around the city are hills, including Monte Sano Mountain, which is 494 meters (1,621 feet) high.
The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 5.9 °C (43 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 27.4 °C (81 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 1,380 millimeters (54.3 inches) per year: it is therefore quite abundant. It ranges from 90 mm (3.5 in) in the driest months (August, September, October) to 150 mm (5.9 in) in the wettest (December). Here is the average precipitation.

The winter, from December to February, is quite cold, however, different situations arise. There are mild periods, in which subtropical air masses prevail, and the temperature can even exceed 20 °C (68 °F).
On the other hand, there can be intense cold waves, during which the temperature can drop to -12/-13 °C (9/10 °F) or even below.
The record is -24 °C (-11 °F), recorded in January 1985.
Snow occurs every year or so, even though you have to wait several years to see a heavy snowfall. On average, 6 centimeters (2.4 inches) of snow fall per year. The most abundant snowfall in one day was 40 cm (15.7 in), in December 1963.
Sometimes the dangerous phenomenon of freezing rain can also occur.

The summer, from June to August, is hot and muggy, with an often unpleasant combination of temperature and humidity. The sun shines quite often, although cloud coverings can form, which can produce thunderstorms.
Huntsville is a particularly hot city. There are long periods with temperatures of 36/37 °C (97/99 °F), sometimes even in September. The record is 41 °C (104 °F), recorded at the end of June 2012.

In spring and autumn, from March to May and from September to November, the weather is variable. The rains are quite frequent, although there can be rainless periods of a week. However, spring is rainier than autumn.
In March and November, there can be cold air outbreaks, while in April and October they are rare. In May and September, there can be hot periods, with summer-like temperatures.
In spring, and more rarely in autumn, tornadoes can form. Huntsville is located in a particularly endangered area, the so-called "Dixie Alley".

Best Time

It is difficult to find a certainly favorable period in Huntsville. Summer is very hot and muggy. During the rest of the year, severe thunderstorms and heavy rains are possible. In winter, cold spells are possible.
You can therefore choose the months of April and October, with a preference for the second, and also the beginning of November, being a quieter and less rainy period.

Return to the climate of Alabama.

Huntsville - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 5.9 °C (43 °F), with a minimum of 0.6 °C (33.1 °F) and a maximum of 11.3 °C (52.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -10 °C (14 °F). However, it dropped to -16.2 °C (2.8 °F) in January 1994.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21 °C (69.5 °F). However, it reached 27.8 °C (82 °F) in January 2008.
Precipitation amounts to 125 mm (4.9 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 5 minutes.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).

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February is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 8.2 °C (47 °F), with a minimum of 2.4 °C (36.4 °F) and a maximum of 13.9 °C (57.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7.5 °C (18.5 °F). However, it dropped to -17.3 °C (0.9 °F) in February 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23.5 °C (74 °F). However, it reached 28.3 °C (82.9 °F) in February 1996.
Precipitation amounts to 130 mm (5.1 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 0 minutes.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).

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March is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 12.4 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 6.1 °C (43 °F) and a maximum of 18.6 °C (65.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4 °C (24.5 °F). However, it dropped to -11.2 °C (11.8 °F) in March 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C (80.5 °F). However, it reached 31.1 °C (88 °F) in March 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 135 mm (5.3 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).

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April is generally a very mild month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 17.2 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 10.6 °C (51 °F) and a maximum of 23.8 °C (74.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1.5 °C (34.5 °F). However, it dropped to -4 °C (24.8 °F) in April 2007.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30 °C (86 °F). However, it reached 33 °C (91.4 °F) in April 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 125 mm (4.9 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 5 minutes.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).

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May is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 21.9 °C (71 °F), with a minimum of 15.7 °C (60.2 °F) and a maximum of 28.1 °C (82.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7 °C (45 °F). However, it dropped to 3.9 °C (39 °F) in May 2004.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91.5 °F). However, it reached 35.6 °C (96.1 °F) in May 1996.
Precipitation amounts to 120 mm (4.7 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 0 minutes.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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June is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 25.9 °C (79 °F), with a minimum of 20 °C (68 °F) and a maximum of 31.7 °C (89.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13.5 °C (56.5 °F). However, it dropped to 9.4 °C (48.9 °F) in June 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C (95.5 °F). However, it reached 41.1 °C (106 °F) in June 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 105 mm (4.1 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 30 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).

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July, the hottest month of the year, is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 27.4 °C (81 °F), with a minimum of 21.7 °C (71.1 °F) and a maximum of 33.1 °C (91.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 17 °C (63 °F). However, it dropped to 13.3 °C (55.9 °F) in July 2009.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36.5 °C (97.5 °F). However, it reached 40.6 °C (105.1 °F) in July 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 115 mm (4.5 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are long.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).

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August is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 26.9 °C (80 °F), with a minimum of 20.9 °C (69.7 °F) and a maximum of 32.9 °C (91.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 15.5 °C (60.5 °F). However, it dropped to 10.6 °C (51.1 °F) in August 2004.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (97 °F). However, it reached 40.6 °C (105.1 °F) in August 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 25 minutes.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).

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September is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 23.9 °C (75 °F), with a minimum of 17.4 °C (63.4 °F) and a maximum of 30.3 °C (86.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9 °C (48 °F). However, it dropped to 3.3 °C (37.9 °F) in September 2001.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (94 °F). However, it reached 38 °C (100.4 °F) in September 1999.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).

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October is generally a very mild month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 17.7 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 11 °C (51.8 °F) and a maximum of 24.4 °C (76 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1.5 °C (34.5 °F). However, it dropped to -2.2 °C (28 °F) in October 2013.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30.5 °C (87 °F). However, it reached 37.8 °C (100 °F) in October 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 20 minutes.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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November is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 11.4 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 5.1 °C (41.2 °F) and a maximum of 17.7 °C (63.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4 °C (24.5 °F). However, it dropped to -8.3 °C (17.1 °F) in November 2013.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25.5 °C (78 °F). However, it reached 31.1 °C (88 °F) in November 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 110 mm (4.3 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 20 minutes.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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December is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 7.5 °C (45 °F), with a minimum of 2.2 °C (35.9 °F) and a maximum of 12.8 °C (55 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -6.5 °C (20 °F). However, it dropped to -11.2 °C (11.8 °F) in December 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21.5 °C (71 °F). However, it reached 26 °C (78.8 °F) in December 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 150 mm (5.9 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 55 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).