What should you know about Florence's weather?
- NWS office
- Huntsville (HUN)
- Climate
- Humid subtropical
- Time zone
- CST/CDT
- Elevation
- 550 ft
- Coordinates
- 34.80° N, 87.68° W
- Nearest radar
- KGWX · Columbus AFB NEXRAD · 73 mi
- County
- Lauderdale County, AL
- Yearly rain
- 57.6 in
- Warmest month
- July · 78.9°F average
- Coldest month
- January · 40.8°F average
- Severe storm peak
- Apr to Jun
How much rain does Florence get each month?
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 50.5 | 55.4 | 63.5 | 72.3 | 79.4 | 86.5 | 89.2 | 88.9 | 83.8 | 73.6 | 62.1 | 53.5 |
| Low °F | 31.2 | 34.5 | 41.6 | 48.6 | 57.1 | 65.1 | 68.6 | 67.6 | 61.0 | 49.2 | 39.1 | 34.5 |
| Rain (in) | 4.88 | 5.15 | 5.34 | 5.05 | 4.98 | 4.81 | 5.06 | 4.45 | 3.98 | 3.72 | 4.27 | 5.87 |
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Rain (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 50.5 | 31.2 | 4.88 |
| Feb | 55.4 | 34.5 | 5.15 |
| Mar | 63.5 | 41.6 | 5.34 |
| Apr | 72.3 | 48.6 | 5.05 |
| May | 79.4 | 57.1 | 4.98 |
| Jun | 86.5 | 65.1 | 4.81 |
| Jul | 89.2 | 68.6 | 5.06 |
| Aug | 88.9 | 67.6 | 4.45 |
| Sep | 83.8 | 61.0 | 3.98 |
| Oct | 73.6 | 49.2 | 3.72 |
| Nov | 62.1 | 39.1 | 4.27 |
| Dec | 53.5 | 34.5 | 5.87 |
MUSCLE SHOALS 2 N, AL US · 3 mi away · NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020
What did the Florence weather radar show on March 24, 2023?
It showed a bow echo from a supercell embedded in a line of storms, which intensified as it entered the Shoals that night. Wind damage spread across south, southeast and eastern Florence to Killen, with winds of 60 to 65 mph and a few gusts of 80 to 90 mph. The Seven Points district and areas just north and northeast of the University of North Alabama campus were hit particularly hard. The same storms produced an EF2 tornado that touched down near Sweetwater Avenue and Huntsville Road in southeast Florence and reached peak winds of 120 mph near Plantation Springs Drive.
Which Florence streets flood in heavy rain?
Helton Drive near Cox Creek Parkway is a repeat trouble spot. On August 25, 2019, flash flooding closed Helton Drive just south of the Cox Creek Parkway. The same storms flooded or closed a few streets near downtown such as Commerce Street, while Darby Drive became impassable just north of Florence Boulevard. On the night of March 1, 2023, several inches of water covered Helton Drive near Cox Creek again. When slow storms sit over the city on the loop, stay off low roads along the creeks.
How rough can winter get in Florence?
Rough enough to strand drivers. In February 2021, freezing rain left 0.25 to 0.50 inches of ice in northwest Alabama on February 15. When 2 to 6 inches of snow followed across northwest and north central Alabama, over 100 vehicles were abandoned on treacherous roads in Florence. Nearby Muscle Shoals holds a calendar day record of 12 inches of snow from February 11, 1910. Sleet and freezing rain can look like plain rain on radar, so watch the temperatures in the hourly forecast.
Why are flooded roads after dark so dangerous in Lauderdale County?
Because creeks can rise over roads and sweep cars away, as Anderson Creek did in Lauderdale County on December 29, 2019. That evening, flash flooding swept three vehicles on Anderson Creek along County Road 50 and County Road 52. A 20 year old woman was killed, and two others, including her mother, were rescued. Radar can show heavy rain over a creek basin, but not how deep the water is on a road, so turn around at any flooded crossing.
When should you check the Florence radar?
Spring severe peak
April to JuneAbout 54% of the county's 1996 to 2025 severe reports fall from April to June. On storm days, people at McFarland Park on the river keep the loop handy and leave at the first thunder.
Fall severe season
November to mid-DecemberSevere weather in the Shoals, tornadoes included, does not end with spring. On stormy evenings, drivers check the loop before crossing the O'Neal Bridge to Sheffield.
What else do people ask about the Florence radar?
Which NWS office and radar cover Florence?
NWS Huntsville (HUN) issues forecasts and warnings for Florence. The nearest NEXRAD radar is KGWX, about 73 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 Huntsville and local emergency alerts.
Quick facts
- Radar: KGWX (Columbus AFB NEXRAD), a new frame every 5 minutes
- Forecasts and warnings: NWS Huntsville (HUN)
- Severe storms peak from April to June (NOAA Storm Events, 1996 to 2025)
- Local time: CST/CDT
- Radar: KGWX, a new frame every 5 minutes
- Warnings: NWS Huntsville (HUN)
- 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, Huntsville office
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020: MUSCLE SHOALS 2 N, 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
- NOAA Storm Data, March 2023 (Alabama)
- NOAA Storm Data, August 2019 (Alabama)
- NOAA Storm Data, December 2019 (Alabama)
- NOAA Storm Data, February 2021 (Alabama)
- NWS Huntsville: Winter statistics for Huntsville and Muscle Shoals
- National Weather Service: Alabama fall severe weather season