What should you know about Columbia's weather?
- NWS office
- St. Louis (LSX)
- Climate
- Hot-summer humid continental
- Time zone
- CST/CDT
- Elevation
- 706 ft
- Coordinates
- 38.95° N, 92.33° W
- Nearest radar
- KLSX · St Louis NEXRAD · 91 mi
- County
- Boone County, MO
- Yearly rain
- 41.4 in
- Warmest month
- July · 78.5°F average
- Coldest month
- January · 31°F average
- Severe storm peak
- Apr to Jun
How much rain does Columbia get each month?
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 39.5 | 45.1 | 56.3 | 67.2 | 75.9 | 84.5 | 88.5 | 87.7 | 80.1 | 68.2 | 54.7 | 43.6 |
| Low °F | 22.5 | 26.4 | 35.6 | 45.6 | 55.7 | 64.7 | 68.5 | 66.7 | 58.3 | 46.8 | 36.0 | 26.7 |
| Rain (in) | 2.12 | 2.12 | 2.97 | 4.88 | 4.77 | 4.23 | 4.13 | 4.14 | 3.83 | 3.47 | 2.68 | 2.09 |
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Rain (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 39.5 | 22.5 | 2.12 |
| Feb | 45.1 | 26.4 | 2.12 |
| Mar | 56.3 | 35.6 | 2.97 |
| Apr | 67.2 | 45.6 | 4.88 |
| May | 75.9 | 55.7 | 4.77 |
| Jun | 84.5 | 64.7 | 4.23 |
| Jul | 88.5 | 68.5 | 4.13 |
| Aug | 87.7 | 66.7 | 4.14 |
| Sep | 80.1 | 58.3 | 3.83 |
| Oct | 68.2 | 46.8 | 3.47 |
| Nov | 54.7 | 36.0 | 2.68 |
| Dec | 43.6 | 26.7 | 2.09 |
COLUMBIA RGNL AP, MO US · 11 mi away · NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020
What happened during the southeast Columbia tornado?
The November 10, 1998 tornado struck southeast Columbia and reached F3 intensity. It first touched down in South Ridge Subdivision, where at least 20 homes were virtually destroyed. At Saratoga and Lupine Drives, the tornado briefly reached F3 intensity and a ranch home was leveled. The survey describes a multiple-vortex tornado, a reminder that broad rain colors cannot resolve the damage at each house.
How should I read Columbia weather radar during a major snowstorm?
Use it to track the snow bands, then compare observations because totals can differ sharply across Columbia. During the February 1 and 2, 2011 storm, the NWS St. Louis report listed combined snow and sleet totals of 20.00 inches at a site 3 miles east of Columbia and 14.20 inches at a site 2.4 miles south. The University of Missouri in Columbia canceled classes for 2 days. Persistent echoes can signal continuing accumulation, but they do not measure how deeply a street has drifted.
Can a front bring hail and a sudden temperature drop together?
Yes, a cold front can bring a sharp change in temperature along with a damaging storm. On September 17, 1980, Columbia experienced baseball-size hail and winds of 50 mph. The temperature dropped 36 degrees in just 2 hours. Track the advancing line on radar, then check the hourly temperature trend before assuming conditions behind it will resemble conditions ahead.
How much rain can fall during an extended wet spell?
Columbia can receive several inches over a single day during a wet spell. NWS St. Louis lists 5.43 inches between August 11 and 12, 1993. That is more than the local normal August precipitation of 4.14 inches for the entire month. Look for renewed rain following earlier cells and check local flooding information rather than judging runoff from the final frame alone.
When should you check the Columbia radar?
Severe storm concentration
April to JuneAbout 55% of Boone County's 1996 to 2025 severe reports fall from April to June. Before travel on Highway 63, check whether storm cores are crossing the route or developing along it.
Snowfall season
October to AprilNWS St. Louis uses this window for snowfall season. For a trip along Rollins Street on campus, follow incoming bands and check pavement conditions before leaving.
What else do people ask about the Columbia radar?
Which NWS office and radar cover Columbia?
NWS St. Louis (LSX) issues forecasts and warnings for Columbia. The nearest NEXRAD radar is KLSX, about 91 miles from the city center.
How often does the radar on this page update?
The radar loop on this page updates every 5 minutes.
Is this page an official warning service?
No. It shows radar and forecasts only. For warnings, follow NWS St. Louis and local emergency alerts.
Quick facts
- Radar: KLSX (St Louis NEXRAD), a new frame every 5 minutes
- Forecasts and warnings: NWS St. Louis (LSX)
- Severe storms peak from April to June (NOAA Storm Events, 1996 to 2025)
- Local time: CST/CDT
- Radar: KLSX, a new frame every 5 minutes
- Warnings: NWS St. Louis (LSX)
- Severe storms: April to June
- Local time: CST/CDT
Where does this data come from?
- NOAA NEXRAD radar via Iowa Environmental Mesonet
- National Weather Service, St. Louis office
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020: COLUMBIA RGNL AP, MO US
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1996 to 2025
- USGS Elevation Point Query Service
- GOES-East satellite imagery
- Open-Meteo forecast API
- OpenStreetMap contributors
- NWS St. Louis: Boone County tornado history
- NWS St. Louis: Historic winter storm observations
- NWS St. Louis: Winter storm impacts
- NWS St. Louis: September weather history
- NWS St. Louis: August weather history
- NWS St. Louis: Snowfall season definition