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Columbia, MO Weather by Month and Climate Averages
Monthly normals · Rain · Snow
Sunshine · Freeze dates · Records · Best time to visit
What is the weather like in Columbia, MO?
Columbia, MO gets 44.8 in of precipitation a year over about 111 rainy days, and about 17.4 in of snow a season. July is the warmest month (average high 89°F) and January the coldest (average low 23°F).
Humid continental climate
Columbia, MO has hot summers and chilly winters. Daytime highs range from about 40°F in January to 89°F in July. May is usually the wettest month, and snow falls in winter. The most comfortable time to visit is typically April and October, when daytime highs sit near 68°F.
| Season | Months | Avg low | Avg high |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | Dec–Feb | 25° | 43° |
| Spring | Mar–May | 46° | 66° |
| Summer | Jun–Aug | 67° | 87° |
| Autumn | Sep–Nov | 48° | 68° |
How much rain does Columbia get?
Columbia gets 44.8 in of precipitation in an average year, spread over about 111 days with measurable rain. That is more rainy days than 70% of the US.
May is the wettest month, with 5.2 in. December is the driest, with 2.2 in. May has the most rainy days, about 13.
The longest dry spell in the last five years lasted 29 days, to October 24, 2024.
From September 2025 to August 2026 Columbia got 52.2 in of rain, against a normal of 44.8 in for those months. June 2026 had the most, with 10.2 in.
See where Columbia ranks: rainiest cities in the US, US cities with the most rainy days, rainiest cities in Missouri.
Does it snow in Columbia?
Yes. Columbia gets about 17.4 in of snow in an average season, measured at the reporting station.
The snowiest winter on record is 1977–78, with 55.0 in.
The most recent measurable snow at the station fell on March 15, 2026.
From September 2025 to August 2026 the station measured 9.2 in of snow, against a normal of 17.4 in for those months. January 2026 had the most, with 4.7 in.
See where Columbia ranks: snowiest cities in the US.
Columbia weather by month
Columbia weather in January
In January, Columbia averages a high of 40°F and a low of 23°F. It gets 2.4 in of precipitation over about 8 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 34% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The January record high is 76°F (2013) and the record low is -11°F (1999).
Columbia weather in February
In February, Columbia averages a high of 45°F and a low of 26°F. It gets 2.3 in of precipitation over about 8 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 46% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The February record high is 79°F (2024) and the record low is -7°F (2014).
Columbia weather in March
In March, Columbia averages a high of 56°F and a low of 36°F. It gets 3.2 in of precipitation over about 11 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 39% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The March record high is 93°F (2026) and the record low is -3°F (2014).
Columbia weather in April
In April, Columbia averages a high of 67°F and a low of 46°F. It gets 4.8 in of precipitation over about 11 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 47% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The April record high is 90°F (2012) and the record low is 20°F (2007). April is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Columbia weather in May
In May, Columbia averages a high of 76°F and a low of 56°F. It gets 5.2 in of precipitation over about 13 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 38% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The May record high is 94°F (1998) and the record low is 34°F (2005).
Columbia weather in June
In June, Columbia averages a high of 85°F and a low of 65°F. It gets 5.1 in of precipitation over about 10 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 53% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The June record high is 104°F (2012) and the record low is 45°F (1998).
Columbia weather in July
In July, Columbia averages a high of 89°F and a low of 69°F. It gets 4.6 in of precipitation over about 8 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 48% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The July record high is 106°F (1999) and the record low is 52°F (1997).
Columbia weather in August
In August, Columbia averages a high of 87°F and a low of 67°F. It gets 4.1 in of precipitation over about 9 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 52% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The August record high is 108°F (1999) and the record low is 48°F (2004).
Columbia weather in September
In September, Columbia averages a high of 81°F and a low of 60°F. It gets 4.3 in of precipitation over about 8 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 63% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The September record high is 99°F (2000) and the record low is 37°F (2000).
Columbia weather in October
In October, Columbia averages a high of 68°F and a low of 47°F. It gets 3.5 in of precipitation over about 10 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 59% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The October record high is 95°F (2006) and the record low is 25°F (2022). October is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Columbia weather in November
In November, Columbia averages a high of 56°F and a low of 37°F. It gets 3.0 in of precipitation over about 8 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 56% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The November record high is 84°F (2016) and the record low is 7°F (2019).
Columbia weather in December
In December, Columbia averages a high of 44°F and a low of 27°F. It gets 2.2 in of precipitation over about 8 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 41% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The December record high is 76°F (1998) and the record low is -7°F (2022).
Sunshine, humidity and wind in Columbia
September is the sunniest month in Columbia, with estimated sunshine of 63% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. January is the cloudiest, at 34%. The annual cloud-cover estimate is 48% of daylight hours; it is not a measurement of sunshine duration. Columbia is sunnier than 56% of the US.
Humidity peaks in August at 72% and is lowest in April at 57%.
Columbia has about 41 days a year above 90°F. Columbia is hotter than 62% of the US.
Thunderstorms occur on about 43 days a year.
See where Columbia ranks: sunniest cities in the US, cloudiest cities in the US, hottest cities in the US.
First and last freeze in Columbia
The first fall freeze in Columbia typically comes around October 28, and the last spring freeze around April 6. That leaves a frost-free growing season of about 205 days.
Columbia weather records
These records cover COLUMBIA U OF M during 1997–2026. Earlier records or other stations in the city may differ.
The hottest temperature on record at the Columbia station is 108°F, on August 12, 1999. The coldest is -11°F, on January 5, 1999.
The wettest day in the available station history brought 6.2 in of precipitation, on July 3, 2016.
29 all-time records have been set at the station since 1997.
The best time to visit Columbia
The most comfortable time to visit is typically April and October, when daytime highs sit near 68°F.
Winter (December–February) is chilly, with average highs around 43°F and lows near 25°F. Snow is possible.
Spring (March–May) is mild, with average highs around 66°F and lows near 46°F.
Summer (June–August) is hot, with average highs around 87°F and lows near 67°F. It can feel humid.
Autumn (September–November) is warm, with average highs around 68°F and lows near 48°F.
Monthly climate
| Month | Average low | Average high | Precip | Rain days | Humidity | Estimated sunshine | Record high | Record low |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23° | 40° | 2.4 in | 8 | 70% | 34% | 76° | -11° |
| February | 26° | 45° | 2.3 in | 8 | 62% | 46% | 79° | -7° |
| March | 36° | 56° | 3.2 in | 11 | 60% | 39% | 93° | -3° |
| April | 46° | 67° | 4.8 in | 11 | 57% | 47% | 90° | 20° |
| May | 56° | 76° | 5.2 in | 13 | 67% | 38% | 94° | 34° |
| June | 65° | 85° | 5.1 in | 10 | 63% | 53% | 104° | 45° |
| July | 69° | 89° | 4.6 in | 8 | 70% | 48% | 106° | 52° |
| August | 67° | 87° | 4.1 in | 9 | 72% | 52% | 108° | 48° |
| September | 60° | 81° | 4.3 in | 8 | 66% | 63% | 99° | 37° |
| October | 47° | 68° | 3.5 in | 10 | 61% | 59% | 95° | 25° |
| November | 37° | 56° | 3.0 in | 8 | 63% | 56% | 84° | 7° |
| December | 27° | 44° | 2.2 in | 8 | 69% | 41% | 76° | -7° |
Station: COLUMBIA U OF M, 2 km from the city. Temperature normal baseline: 1991–2020, calculated from available NOAA GHCN-Daily observations. Available station history: 1997–2026; record values refer to this station and period, not the entire city’s history. Precipitation includes rain and the water equivalent of frozen precipitation; snowfall depth is shown separately when available. Sources and methods
From ERA5 reanalysis. Sunshine is estimated from cloud cover.
Columbia climate questions
How much rain does Columbia get?
Columbia gets 44.8 in of precipitation in an average year, over about 111 rainy days.
What is the wettest month in Columbia?
May is the wettest month in Columbia, with 5.2 in. December is the driest, with 2.2 in.
How many rainy days does Columbia have a year?
Columbia has about 111 days with measurable rain in an average year. May has the most, about 13.
Does it snow in Columbia?
Yes. Columbia gets about 17.4 in of snow in an average season. The snowiest winter on record is 1977–78, with 55.0 in.
What is the hottest month in Columbia?
July is the warmest month in Columbia, with an average high of 89°F.
What is the coldest month in Columbia?
January is the coldest month in Columbia, with an average low of 23°F.
What is the record high temperature in Columbia?
Within the available 1997–2026 station history, the record high at the Columbia station is 108°F, set on August 12, 1999. The record low is -11°F, on January 5, 1999.
What is the sunniest month in Columbia?
September is the sunniest month in Columbia, with estimated sunshine of 63% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. January is the cloudiest.
When is the first frost in Columbia?
The first fall freeze in Columbia typically comes around October 28. The last spring freeze is around April 6.
What is the best time to visit Columbia?
The most comfortable time to visit is typically April and October, when daytime highs sit near 68°F.