Alabama Hazard Mitigation Plan Resource Page
Alabama State Climate Summary
Alabama is located at subtropical latitudes between the Gulf of Mexico and the southern end of the vast, relatively flat plains of central North America, which extend from the Arctic Circle to the Gulf of Mexico. The state is therefore exposed to the influences of diverse air masses, including the warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico and dry continental air masses, which are cold in the winter and warm in the summer. Clockwise circulation of air around a semipermanent high-pressure system in the North Atlantic (known as the Bermuda High) causes a persistent southerly flow of air off the gulf during the warmer half of the year. Thus, relatively mild winters, hot summers, and year-round precipitation characterize Alabama’s climate. In addition to serving as a predominant source of moisture, the Gulf of Mexico helps moderate temperatures along the coast. Alabama’s mild climate is an important economic driver for agricultural production and tourism.
Key Points:
- Temperatures in Alabama have not risen since the beginning of the 20th century, one of the few areas globally to experience no net warming. However, recent years have been very warm, and the warmest consecutive 5-year interval was the most recent, 2016–2020. Under a higher emissions pathway, historically unprecedented warming is projected during this century.
- There are no robust trends in total annual precipitation and the number of extreme precipitation events. Future changes in average precipitation are uncertain, while increases in the frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall are projected.
- Global sea level is projected to rise, with a likely range of 1–4 feet by 2100. Sea level along the Alabama coast has risen at the rate of 1.6 inches per decade, faster than the global rate. Projected sea level rise poses widespread and continuing threats to both natural and built environments in coastal Alabama.
From Runkle et al. (2022). Click here for the full report.
| High Temperature | Low Temperature | 24-hour Precipitation | 24-Hour Snowfall | 24-Hour Snow Depth | Tornadoes | Wettest Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 112°F September 6, 1925 Centerville |
-27°F January 30, 1966 New Market |
32.52 in. July 19-20, 1997 Dauphin Island Sea Lab |
20 in. March 13, 1993 Walnut Grove |
22 in. January 24, 1940 Reform |
57 | 1929, 75.07 in. |
Temperature, precipitation, and snowfall records obtained from NOAA/NCEI’s State Climate Extremes Committee. Tornado information obtained from NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center (average annual number of tornadoes from 1995-2024). Wettest year obtained from NOAA/NCEI’s Climate at Glance product.
Table last updated September 28, 2025.
Alabama Resource Links
- State of Alabama Hazard Mitigation Plan (2023)
- Hazard Mitigation Plans by County
- FEMA Resources for Alabama
- The Alabama State Climatologist
Have questions about these resources, or looking for something else? Contact the Alabama State Climatologist.