Discover the Absolute Hottest Place in Alabama

Whether you like it hot or you want to avoid the area at all costs, it’s important to know the hottest part of your state or a state you plan to visit. Alabama is not one of the hottest states, but certain areas are steamier than others. Let’s look at the details of the hottest place in Alabama, including how high temperatures rise, the warmest months, and interesting wildlife in the area.

What is the Hottest Place in Alabama?

When meteorologists look at historical data, they find that the hottest place in Alabama is the city of Tuscaloosa. You may see different results depending on the source and method of measurement, but when we look at how many days per year are over 90- and 100-degrees Fahrenheit, Tuscaloosa takes the cake.

What Makes Tuscaloosa the Hottest Place in Alabama?

There are many factors to consider when it comes to determining the hottest place in Alabama. Let’s review them!

Temperature Per Days Per Year

An important data point is how many days per year soar over a certain temperature. According to Filter Buy, Alabama has an average of 80 days per year that are over 90 degrees Fahrenheit, with five days per year that are over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. 

With that said, the highest average summer temperature in recent years has been 91.9 degrees and the minimum temperature during the summer in recent years has been 70.7 degrees. 

While these temperatures seem high, they’re far from the highest in the country overall. Still, it can get uncomfortable, especially if you work outside or live in a house with poor coverage or insulation.

Hottest Month

If you’re going to visit Tuscaloosa and you don’t love warm temperatures, then avoid the summer, especially the month of July. The July high is around 92 degrees on average. However, the city is generally mild, and it’s a pleasant place to live. On average, there are 214 sunny days during the year, which is more than the U.S. average of 205 sunny days. During the summer, temperatures generally hover around the mid-80s. 

Alabama is a humid state with lots of rain. On average, Tuscaloosa gets about 53 inches of rain annually, which is a lot when compared to the U.S. average of 38 inches. It typically rains for about 107 days during the year. By May, the humidity soars past 60%, and at the height of July through August, the humidity reaches its peak at over 70%.

On the bright side, there is little to no snow. In fact, Tuscaloosa receives 0 inches of snow per year!

Hottest Temperatures on Record

Tuscaloosa has a history of being extremely warm, with many days that have risen above 100 degrees. The hottest temperature in the history of the city was 108 degrees back on July 29th of 1930. Similarly, it reached 106 degrees in 1901. The year 2007 was particularly hot as well, with six days that went over 105 degrees.

Tuscaloosa: History and Population

It may be known as the hottest place in Alabama, but that’s not the only thing that puts Tuscaloosa on the map. 

History

As the seat of Tuscaloosa County in Alabama, Tuscaloosa is the fifth-largest city in the state. The city has had different names over the years. At one time, it was called The Druid City, and it was known as Tuskaloosa until the 20th century. When it was incorporated in 1819, it was renamed Tuscaloosa with a “c.” From 1826 until 1845, it was the capital of Alabama. After this point, the capital moved to Montgomery. 

The city has had a lot of history over the last 100+ years. Many men from Tuscaloosa fought in the Civil War. It also featured predominantly during the civil rights movement. It was the site of the Stand in the Schoolhouse Door and Bloody Tuesday. 

Tuscaloosa is a fixture of West Alabama, as the regional center of commerce, healthcare, and industry. It’s also home to the famous University of Alabama. Last but not least, it’s home to the Mercedes-Benz North American automotive plant. 

Tornado

Tuscaloosa is also famous for other weather phenomena: the occasional tornado. In 2011, Tuscaloosa was hit by a massive tornado that was 1.5 miles wide. Sadly, this storm killed several residents and caused a lot of damage to the town. The tornado had winds that traveled at close to 190 miles per hour!

This was just one tornado that was part of the 2011 Super Outbreak, the largest outbreak of tornadoes in history. Luckily, many charities and organizations, including the New York Yankees, contributed to the rescue efforts and donated money to help the residents of Tuscaloosa and nearby cities.

Geography and Population

The city of Tuscaloosa covers just over 70 square miles, with 60.2 of those miles being on land and 10.1 square miles covered by water. The geography of Tuscaloosa is very diverse, with areas covered in forest, marshes, and city buildings.

As of 2022, the population in Tuscaloosa was close to 103,000 people, which makes it the fifth-largest city in Alabama. The population density is not extremely tight, with 1,385 inhabitants per square mile. The folks that make up the population are also very diverse, with about 54% white, 42% black, and under 2% Asian. 

Wildlife In Tuscaloosa

The wonderful wildlife in Tuscaloosa does just fine in the hot climate. The city is home to 62 native mammals, including many species of bats, rodents, rabbits, and an opossum species. Alabama is also home to many forest carnivores. There are bobcats, cougars, jaguarundi, coyotes, red wolves, gray foxes, and red foxes. It’s not uncommon to come across a black bear, so be careful. 

Head near the creeks and rivers, and you may run across the North American river otter, the long-tailed weasel, the American mink, or the American badger. There are also many more common species, such as the striped and eastern spotted skunk. You’ll also find ringtail and non-ringtail racoons. 

Things to do in Tuscaloosa 

Tons of fun activities are available in the hottest place in Alabama. Here are some of the fun and educational places that you and the kids can enjoy during your next trip to Tuscaloosa:

Alabama Museum of Natural History

If you’re creating an Alabama bucket list, you must add the huge Alabama Museum of Natural History. It only costs $2 to enter and it’s open from Monday through Saturday. This place is loaded with cool exhibits, from dinosaur fossils to coal, and there’s a ton for the kids to see and do.

Tuscaloosa Riverwalk

Absorb the beauty of the amazing Black Warrior River by walking along the 4.5-mile paved trail. Admire the river while also checking out the Randall Family Park and the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater. Along the way, you’ll find playgrounds and open fields where the kids can run wild.

Lake Lurleen State Park

Take in more of the glory of Tuscaloosa at this state park, which is one of the best places to visit during the summer in the city. There are a ton of hiking trails and amazing views, so don’t forget your camera. With no shortage of activities, you can go fishing, boating, or rent a kayak.

Kentuck Art Center

For a bit of artsy culture, stop by the Kentuck Art Center. This facility holds work from local painters, folk artists, and potters. The gallery is open seven days a week, and it’s free to enter. 

Tuscaloosa River Market

This is essentially a huge farmers’ market located in Tuscaloosa. This market is held near the Black Warrior River, and it’s usually open if there’s good weather. You can buy baked goods, vegetables, meat, and other tasty treats made by local vendors. 

Sports at the University of Alabama

Families who love their football, track and field, tennis, and gymnastic competitions should stop by the arena at the University of Alabama. Events here are on-going most of the year, and you can join a crowd of 100,000+ plus people as you cheer on the local teams and athletes.

Children’s Hands-On Museum

This is an incredible museum for kids who love science and want to interact with amazing exhibits. On the second Saturday of the month, visiting children can engage in many awesome, educational STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs. The museum is also open Tuesday through Saturday for general admission.

Tuscaloosa Barnyard

Your kids can visit adorable creatures at the Tuscaloosa Barnyard, a petting zoo where your kids can interact with the animals. Teach them how to gently pet the animals and inspire a love of nature. Later, they can drive a tractor, swim in the pool, hop in a bounce house, and try out the cool splash pad. This is a great destination for birthday parties!

Snow Hinton Park

For a unique experience, take the kids to Snow Hinton. This park features a 38-foot slide at the top of a ropes course. It’s the tallest slide in the southeast!

Where is Tuscaloosa Located on a Map?

Tuscaloosa is located in west-central Alabama, on the Black Warrior River where the Gulf Coastal and Piedmont plains meet. It is around 58 miles southwest of Birmingham and 133 miles from the Mississippi border. It is the seat of Tuscaloosa County and is the fifth-most populous city in the state. Tuscaloosa is home to the University of Alabama.

Conclusion

The fine city of Tuscaloosa may be the hottest place in Alabama, but it offers plenty of reasons to visit. It’s an amazing city with a lot of great history, wonderful little animals, and tons of fun attractions. Stop by the next time you’re in Alabama!