Georgia Hazard Mitigation Plan Resource Page
Georgia State Climate Summary
Due to its location at subtropical latitudes and proximity to the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, Georgia has a climate characterized by long, hot and humid summers and short, usually mild winters. Georgia is the largest U.S. state in land area east of the Mississippi River and encompasses diverse geographic features. Elevation ranges from sea level along the coast to higher than 4,700 feet in the Blue Ridge Mountains in the northeast. Temperatures vary substantially across the state. Inland cities, such as Macon and Columbus, experience very high summertime temperatures, with an average of around 20 days per year exceeding 95°F, while Atlanta averages only 7 such days and areas in the Appalachian Mountains less than 1. The number of very warm nights also varies across Georgia. Locations in the Appalachian Mountains rarely experience such nights, while Atlanta averages 4 per year and Brunswick, located along the southeastern coast, more than 30.
Key Points:
- Temperatures in Georgia have risen by 0.8°F, about half of the warming for the contiguous United States, since the beginning of the 20th century, but the warmest consecutive 5-year interval was 2016–2020. However, under a higher emissions pathway, historically unprecedented warming is projected during this century, including increases in heat wave intensity and decreases in cold wave intensity.
- Higher temperatures will increase the rate of soil moisture loss during dry spells, which could lead to more intense droughts and increased competition for the state’s water resources.
- Global sea level has risen by about 7 to 8 inches since 1900 and is projected to rise another 1 to 4 feet by 2100. Sea level rise will increase the frequency, extent, and severity of coastal flooding, posing a grave risk to developments along Georgia’s coastline.
From Frankson 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 August 20, 1983 (Greenville) July 24, 1952 (Louisville) |
-17°F January 27, 1940 CCC Fire Camp F-16 |
21.10 in. July 6, 1994 Americus |
19.3 in. March 3, 1942 Cedartown |
18 in. March 13, 1993 Chatsworth |
35 | 1964, 70.46 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.
Georgia Resource Links
- State of Georgia Hazard Mitigation Plan (2024)
- Hazard Mitigation Resources for Georgia
- FEMA Resources for Georgia
- Office of the State Climatologist
Have questions about these resources, or looking for something else? Contact the Office of the State Climatologist.