What should you know about Dothan's weather?
- NWS office
- Tallahassee (TAE)
- Climate
- Humid subtropical
- Time zone
- CST/CDT
- Elevation
- 322 ft
- Coordinates
- 31.22° N, 85.39° W
- Nearest radar
- KEOX · Ft Rucker NEXRAD · 17 mi
- County
- Houston County, AL
- Yearly rain
- 53.9 in
- Warmest month
- July · 83°F average
- Coldest month
- January · 50.8°F average
- Severe storm peak
- Jun to Aug
How much rain does Dothan get each month?
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 61.7 | 65.8 | 72.9 | 79.3 | 87.2 | 91.3 | 93.3 | 92.0 | 88.4 | 80.8 | 71.1 | 63.8 |
| Low °F | 39.8 | 43.3 | 48.8 | 55.2 | 64.0 | 70.8 | 72.7 | 72.0 | 67.3 | 56.9 | 46.7 | 42.4 |
| Rain (in) | 4.76 | 4.82 | 4.72 | 4.79 | 2.92 | 5.08 | 5.95 | 6.17 | 3.27 | 2.70 | 3.91 | 4.76 |
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Rain (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 61.7 | 39.8 | 4.76 |
| Feb | 65.8 | 43.3 | 4.82 |
| Mar | 72.9 | 48.8 | 4.72 |
| Apr | 79.3 | 55.2 | 4.79 |
| May | 87.2 | 64.0 | 2.92 |
| Jun | 91.3 | 70.8 | 5.08 |
| Jul | 93.3 | 72.7 | 5.95 |
| Aug | 92.0 | 72.0 | 6.17 |
| Sep | 88.4 | 67.3 | 3.27 |
| Oct | 80.8 | 56.9 | 2.70 |
| Nov | 71.1 | 46.7 | 3.91 |
| Dec | 63.8 | 42.4 | 4.76 |
DOTHAN RGNL AP, AL US · 8 mi away · NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020
What was the 1918 school tornado near Dothan?
It was an F3 tornado on January 11, 1918, that leveled a rural school between Dothan and Cowarts, killing the teacher and seven of the 40 children inside. The tornado moved from 3 miles south of Dothan to beyond Webb, where virtually every building was damaged. NWS Tallahassee lists 10 deaths and 120 injuries for the storm.
Why keep the Dothan weather radar handy in winter?
Because some of Houston County's damaging tornadoes have come in January. On January 2, 2017, an EF2 tornado with winds near 115 mph crossed US 231 just east of the National Peanut Festival grounds, where multiple buildings were damaged or destroyed. On January 9, 2024, an EF2 with winds near 130 mph ran 20.94 miles through the county toward Cottonwood, killing 1 person and injuring 10. Keep phone alerts on in winter, even on mild days.
Have tornadoes hit inside Dothan?
Yes. On April 3, 2023, a brief EF1 tornado touched down on Appian Way and moved southeast across several streets in northwest Dothan before lifting at N Englewood Ave. Winds reached about 95 mph, and the heaviest tree damage was on Eldorado Dr. Back on April 24, 1937, an F2 tornado moved from the south edge of Dothan to Cottonwood, killing a woman in a small home.
How did Hurricane Michael affect the Dothan area?
It brought a swath of major wind damage across extreme southeastern Alabama in October 2018. Michael made landfall near Mexico Beach and Tyndall Air Force Base as a Category 5 hurricane, then tracked from the Florida Panhandle across extreme southeastern Alabama into Georgia. NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information put the damage in southeastern Alabama at $1.1 billion. Power outages were widespread, especially in the Florida Panhandle, extreme southeastern Alabama and southwestern and central Georgia.
Which rivers flood around Dothan?
The Choctawhatchee and Pea Rivers. In the first week of July 1994, the remnants of Tropical Storm Alberto dropped 15 to 20 inches of rain over parts of extreme southeast Alabama. Over 1,000 homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed in Coffee, Dale, Henry, Geneva and Houston counties as the two rivers overflowed. The Choctawhatchee at Geneva crested at 42.42 feet, its second highest crest.
When should you check the Dothan radar?
Summer storm peak
June to AugustNearly half of the county's 1996 to 2025 severe reports fall in these months. Pop-up storms can bring sudden gusty winds, so crews working along Westgate Parkway check the loop at midday.
Hurricane season
June 1 to November 30Most Atlantic activity comes from mid-August to mid-October. When a storm enters the Gulf, watch the loop for outer rain bands before driving Ross Clark Circle.
What else do people ask about the Dothan radar?
Which NWS office and radar cover Dothan?
NWS Tallahassee (TAE) issues forecasts and warnings for Dothan. The nearest NEXRAD radar is KEOX, about 17 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 Tallahassee and local emergency alerts.
Quick facts
- Radar: KEOX (Ft Rucker NEXRAD), a new frame every 5 minutes
- Forecasts and warnings: NWS Tallahassee (TAE)
- Severe storms peak from June to August (NOAA Storm Events, 1996 to 2025)
- Local time: CST/CDT
- Radar: KEOX, a new frame every 5 minutes
- Warnings: NWS Tallahassee (TAE)
- Severe storms: June to August
- Local time: CST/CDT
Where does this data come from?
- NOAA NEXRAD radar via Iowa Environmental Mesonet
- National Weather Service, Tallahassee office
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020: DOTHAN RGNL AP, AL 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 Tallahassee: Houston County, AL tornado database
- National Hurricane Center: Hurricane Michael tropical cyclone report
- National Weather Service: Floods in Alabama
- National Hurricane Center: Tropical cyclone climatology