Auburn experiences a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification *Cfa*), typical of the Deep South. Summers are long, hot, and highly humid, with average high temperatures in July and August often reaching into the low to mid-90s Fahrenheit (32–35 °C). Winters are generally short and mild, with January highs averaging in the mid-50s (12 °C) and lows typically hovering just above freezing.
Rainfall is abundant and fairly evenly distributed throughout the year, averaging about 53 inches annually. Snowfall is rare, though the city may see a light dusting every few years. The area is susceptible to severe thunderstorms, particularly in the spring and late autumn, and lies within a region that occasionally experiences tornadoes. The best times to visit are autumn—when the humidity drops, the leaves change, and football season animates the town—and spring, when azaleas and dogwoods are in full bloom.