Altamont, Missouri, located in the heart of the Midwest, is a charming rural community known for its beautiful landscapes, friendly residents, and rich agricultural heritage. Located in Daviess County, Altamont offers a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life while providing easy access to nearby urban centers such as Kansas City and St. Joseph. With a population of approximately 200 residents, Altamont embodies small-town Americana, offering a tight-knit community atmosphere and a range of recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike. Notable landmarks in Altamont include scenic farmland, historic barns, and the Daviess County Conservation Area, which provides opportunities for outdoor recreation such as hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing.
Climate and Weather Overview
Altamont experiences a humid continental climate, characterized by hot summers, cold winters, and moderate precipitation throughout the year. To provide a comprehensive understanding of the weather patterns in Altamont, let’s examine the average temperature, precipitation, and number of sunny days for each month of the year.
| Month | Average Temperature (Fahrenheit) | Precipitation (inches) | Sunny Days |
| January | 32°F | 1.13 inches | 11 days |
| February | 36°F | 1.34 inches | 11 days |
| March | 48°F | 2.81 inches | 12 days |
| April | 60°F | 3.58 inches | 13 days |
| May | 70°F | 4.71 inches | 14 days |
| June | 79°F | 4.82 inches | 14 days |
| July | 84°F | 4.58 inches | 14 days |
| August | 82°F | 4.43 inches | 13 days |
| September | 74°F | 3.68 inches | 12 days |
| October | 63°F | 2.88 inches | 12 days |
| November | 49°F | 2.61 inches | 11 days |
| December | 36°F | 1.70 inches | 10 days |
Weather by Month
January
January in Altamont is characterized by cold temperatures and occasional snowfall. The average temperature hovers around freezing, with an average of 1.13 inches of precipitation. Despite the cold, there are still 11 sunny days, providing opportunities for outdoor activities such as sledding, ice skating, and winter hikes.
February
February brings similar weather conditions to January, with cold temperatures averaging around 36°F. Snowfall is still possible, contributing to an average precipitation of 1.34 inches. With 11 sunny days, residents can continue to enjoy outdoor activities such as snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and visiting local parks.
March
As spring approaches, March sees a gradual increase in temperatures in Altamont, with average highs reaching 48°F. While temperatures rise, rain showers become more frequent, with an average precipitation of 2.81 inches. With 12 sunny days, residents can begin to embrace the changing seasons by participating in activities such as hiking, birdwatching, and gardening.
April
April marks the onset of warmer weather in Altamont, with average highs climbing to 60°F. While temperatures become milder, rainfall increases, with an average precipitation of 3.58 inches. With 13 sunny days, outdoor activities such as fishing, biking, and exploring nature trails become popular as residents welcome the arrival of spring.
May
May brings even warmer temperatures to Altamont, with average highs reaching 70°F. While temperatures rise, rainfall levels continue to increase, with an average precipitation of 4.71 inches. With 14 sunny days, there are ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as picnicking, camping, and attending local festivals and events.
June
June heralds the arrival of summer in Altamont, with average highs soaring to 79°F. The weather becomes significantly warmer, with occasional rain showers contributing to an average precipitation of 4.82 inches. With 14 sunny days, residents and visitors can fully embrace the summer season by participating in activities such as swimming, boating, and attending outdoor concerts and festivals.
July
July is typically the warmest month in Altamont, with scorching average highs of 84°F and occasional thunderstorms. Despite the heat, there are still 14 sunny days, providing opportunities for outdoor activities such as fishing, kayaking, and attending Fourth of July celebrations and fireworks displays.
August
Similar to July, August maintains warm temperatures in Altamont, with average highs around 82°F. While temperatures remain warm, occasional rain showers are still possible, with an average precipitation of 4.43 inches. With 13 sunny days, residents and visitors can still enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and exploring the town’s scenic parks and trails.
September
As summer transitions to fall, September brings slightly cooler temperatures to Altamont, with average highs of 74°F. While temperatures moderate, occasional rain showers are still common, contributing to an average precipitation of 3.68 inches. With 12 sunny days, outdoor activities such as apple picking, hiking, and attending fall festivals become popular as residents embrace the changing colors of autumn.
October
October sees a further decrease in temperatures in Altamont, with average highs dropping to 63°F. While the weather remains mild, rainfall levels decrease compared to September, with an average precipitation of 2.88 inches. With 12 sunny days, residents and visitors can still enjoy outdoor activities such as leaf-peeping drives, pumpkin picking, and visiting haunted attractions.
November
November brings cooler temperatures and shorter days to Altamont, with average highs of 49°F. While temperatures cool, precipitation levels increase, averaging 2.61 inches. With 11 sunny days, outdoor activities such as hiking, birdwatching, and attending local craft fairs are popular as residents embrace the crisp autumn air and prepare for the upcoming holiday season.
December
December in Altamont is characterized by cold temperatures and occasional snowfall. The average high temperature is around 36°F, with cool evenings and occasional snow showers. Precipitation levels remain consistent with other winter months, with an average of 1.70 inches. Despite the snow, there are still 10 sunny days, providing opportunities for outdoor activities such as skiing, snowshoeing, and holiday shopping.
Natural Disasters
While Altamont is relatively sheltered from major natural disasters, it is still susceptible to occasional hazards common to the region, including severe winter storms, flooding, and thunderstorms. Severe winter storms can produce heavy snowfall, strong winds, and dangerously low temperatures, leading to hazardous travel conditions and power outages. Flooding can occur during periods of intense rainfall or snowmelt, particularly in low-lying areas and along rivers and streams. Additionally, thunderstorms can bring lightning, strong winds, and heavy rainfall, leading to localized flooding and property damage. Residents are advised to stay informed about weather forecasts and heed any warnings or advisories issued by local authorities during severe weather events.
Recommended Activities by Month
- January: Ice fishing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing.
- February: Sledding, snowshoeing, winter hikes.
- March: Hiking, birdwatching, visiting local parks.
- April: Gardening, biking, exploring nature trails.
- May: Hiking, picnicking, visiting local farms and orchards.
- June: Swimming, boating, attending outdoor concerts and festivals.
- July: Fishing, kayaking, attending Fourth of July celebrations.
- August: Hiking, biking, exploring scenic parks and trails.
- September: Apple picking, hiking, attending fall festivals.
- October: Leaf-peeping drives, pumpkin picking, visiting haunted attractions.
- November: Hiking, birdwatching, attending local craft fairs.
- December: Skiing, snowshoeing, holiday shopping.