4-Inch Soil Temperature in Alabama
The current average 4-inch soil temperature across Alabama is 80°F, measured at 29 USDA and NOAA monitoring stations. Readings range from 73°F to 103°F. Soil across Alabama is running 3°F above the seasonal normal of 77°F for late September, based on 29 of 29 stations with historical records. Last updated September 23, 2026.
Why the 4-Inch Reading
Every reading here is measured at native 4-inch depth by USDA SCAN (Soil Climate Analysis Network) and NOAA USCRN (US Climate Reference Network) stations, not modeled. The 4-inch root-zone temperature changes more slowly than the surface, making it the steadier signal for established-lawn and garden timing: pre-emergent and broadleaf herbicide windows, fertilizer applications, and core aeration.
Stations Measuring 4-Inch Depth in Alabama (29)
| Station | 4" Temp | Last Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Wtars (Madison) | 76°F | 2026-09-23 |
| Stanley Farm (Morgan) | 73°F | 2026-09-23 |
| AAMU-JTG (Madison) | 77°F | 2026-09-23 |
| Bragg Farm (Madison) | 78°F | 2026-09-23 |
| Cullman-NAHRC (Cullman) | 74°F | 2026-09-23 |
| Livingston-UWA (Sumter) | 81°F | 2026-09-23 |
| Tuskegee (Macon) | 81°F | 2026-09-23 |
| Isbell Farms (Colbert) | 73°F | 2026-09-23 |
| Dee River Ranch (Pickens) | 80°F | 2026-09-23 |
| Wedowee (Randolph) | 78°F | 2026-09-23 |
| Selma (Dallas) | 82°F | 2026-09-23 |
| Broad Acres (Montgomery) | 81°F | 2026-09-23 |
| Morris Farms (Macon) | 79°F | 2026-09-23 |
| Sudduth Farms (Winston) | 74°F | 2026-09-23 |
| Koptis Farms (Baldwin) | 103°F | 2026-09-23 |
| Perdido Riv Farms (Escambia) | 82°F | 2026-09-23 |
| Thomasville 2 S | 86°F | 2026-09-23 |
| Selma 13 WNW | 81°F | 2026-09-23 |
| Valley Head 1 SSW | 75°F | 2026-09-23 |
| Courtland 2 WSW | 75°F | 2026-09-23 |
| Clanton 2 NE | 84°F | 2026-09-23 |
| Gainesville 2 NE | 84°F | 2026-09-23 |
| Greensboro 2 WNW | 78°F | 2026-09-23 |
| Muscle Shoals 2 N | 78°F | 2026-09-23 |
| Selma 6 SSE | 87°F | 2026-09-23 |
| Brewton 3 NNE | 83°F | 2026-09-23 |
| Northport 2 S | 83°F | 2026-09-23 |
| Highland Home 2 S | 81°F | 2026-09-23 |
| Talladega 10 NNE | 77°F | 2026-09-23 |
Cities in Alabama (49)
| City | ZIP | Current Temp |
|---|---|---|
| Albertville | 35950 | 73°F |
| Alexander City | 35010 | 79°F |
| Andalusia | 36420 | 83°F |
| Anniston | 36201 | 77°F |
| Athens | 35611 | 78°F |
| Atmore | 36502 | 82°F |
| Auburn | 36830 | 81°F |
| Bessemer | 35020 | 83°F |
| Bham | 35225 | 84°F |
| Birmingham | 35201 | 77°F |
| Boaz | 35956 | 73°F |
| Brewton | 36426 | 83°F |
| Clanton | 35045 | 84°F |
| Cullman | 35055 | 74°F |
| Decatur | 35601 | 73°F |
| Dothan | 36301 | 81°F |
| Enterprise | 36330 | 81°F |
| Eufaula | 36027 | 81°F |
| Fairhope | 36532 | 103°F |
| Florence | 35630 | 78°F |
| Foley | 36535 | 103°F |
| Fort Payne | 35967 | 75°F |
| Gadsden | 35901 | 77°F |
| Gulf Shores | 36542 | 103°F |
| Huntsville | 35801 | 77°F |
| Jasper | 35501 | 74°F |
| Madison | 35756 | 73°F |
| Mobile | 36601 | 103°F |
| Monroeville | 36460 | 82°F |
| Montgomery | 36101 | 81°F |
| Muscle Shoals | 35661 | 78°F |
| Northport | 35473 | 83°F |
| Opelika | 36801 | 81°F |
| Ozark | 36360 | 81°F |
| Pell City | 35125 | 77°F |
| Phenix City | 36867 | 81°F |
| Prattville | 36066 | 81°F |
| Russellville | 35653 | 78°F |
| Scottsboro | 35768 | 77°F |
| Selma | 36701 | 87°F |
| Spanish Fort | 36527 | 103°F |
| Sylacauga | 35150 | 84°F |
| Talladega | 35160 | 77°F |
| Theodore | 36582 | 103°F |
| Troy | 36079 | 81°F |
| Tuscaloosa | 35401 | 83°F |
| Tuskegee Institute | 36087 | 81°F |
| Valley | 36854 | 78°F |
| Wetumpka | 36092 | 79°F |
4-Inch Soil Temperature FAQ for Alabama
What is the current 4-inch soil temperature in Alabama?
The current average 4-inch soil temperature across Alabama is 80°F, measured at 29 USDA and NOAA stations. Readings range from 73°F to 103°F depending on location and elevation. Soil across Alabama is running 3°F above the seasonal normal of 77°F for late September, based on 29 of 29 stations with historical records.
What does the 4 inch soil temperature mean?
The 4 inch soil temperature shows conditions deeper in the root zone than the 2 inch germination reading. It is commonly used for established lawn, garden, and agricultural timing because it changes more slowly than the surface layer, so it is a steadier signal for fertilizer, aeration, and weed-control decisions.
Why use 4-inch soil temperature instead of 2-inch?
Use 2 inches for germination decisions, since that is where seeds sit. Use the 4 inch soil temperature for established lawn and garden timing: it reads the root zone, changes more slowly than the surface, and is the depth most fertilizer, aeration, and disease guidance references.
See the national 4-inch soil temperature map, the full Alabama soil temperature directory (all depths), the national soil temperature by depth comparison, or the live national soil temperature map.