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Weather & Climate in Arkansas City, AR
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Arkansas City enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. The area gets 304 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 56.3 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.3 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 46. 61% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 137 feet.
Temperature
42°F Jan (6°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 63.0°F |
| 17% above US avg | |
| January Average | 42°F (6°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 304 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 137 ft (42 m) |
| Area | 0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 994/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 33.6089°N, 91.2049°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Desha County County |
| Nearest Airport | Pinebluff Regional/Grider Field (PBF) 57 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 46.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 61.0% |
| Unhealthy Days | 0 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 32.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 98.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 53.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
16 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.7.
| Jan 8, 2019 | 8 km WNW of Hollandale, Mississippi | M3.7 | 52 km | 16 km |
| Aug 11, 1996 | 9 km WSW of Shaw, Mississippi | M3.1 | 31 km | 10 km |
| Oct 26, 2002 | 3 km SE of Alligator, Mississippi | M3.1 | 69 km | 3 km |
| Mar 3, 2001 | 2 km SSE of El Dorado, Arkansas | M3.0 | 143 km | 5 km |
| May 16, 2007 | 5 km SW of Calion, Arkansas | M3.0 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Dec 17, 2001 | 3 km WSW of El Dorado, Arkansas | M2.8 | 146 km | 10 km |
| Jan 9, 1997 | 6 km E of El Dorado, Arkansas | M2.8 | 137 km | 5 km |
| Aug 11, 2002 | 8 km ESE of Darling, Mississippi | M2.8 | 124 km | 4 km |
| Feb 25, 1999 | 10 km NE of Oakland, Mississippi | M2.8 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Feb 24, 2020 | 12 km ENE of Junction City, Arkansas | M2.8 | 143 km | 14 km |
| May 11, 2020 | 13 km SSE of El Dorado, Arkansas | M2.8 | 142 km | 12 km |
| Feb 11, 1991 | 10 km SSW of Clarksdale, Mississippi | M2.7 | 79 km | 12 km |
| Oct 18, 2009 | 9 km SE of Redfield, Arkansas | M2.6 | 120 km | 29 km |
| Apr 11, 1996 | 9 km ENE of Biscoe, Arkansas | M2.6 | 139 km | 7 km |
| Jan 12, 2017 | 9 km E of Leola, Arkansas | M2.6 | 135 km | 10 km |
| Oct 20, 1999 | 8 km NE of Clarendon, Arkansas | M2.5 | 128 km | 9 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
2 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 1.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2020 | Laura | Category 2 | 98 mph | 252 km |
| 2005 | Katrina | Category 1 | 92 mph | 254 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
462 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 51 fatalities, 794 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 24, 2023 | EF4 | 88 km | 59.2 mi | 17 |
| Nov 24, 2001 | EF4 | 18 km | 30.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 9, 1992 | EF4 | 69 km | 20.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 17, 1978 | EF4 | 25 km | 3.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1975 | EF4 | 85 km | 5.4 mi | 7 |
| Apr 3, 1968 | EF4 | 69 km | 33.7 mi | 5 |
| Dec 23, 2015 | EF3 | 63 km | 61.6 mi | 2 |
| Feb 24, 2007 | EF3 | 53 km | 29.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 24, 2001 | EF3 | 68 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 24, 2001 | EF3 | 22 km | 42.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 24, 2001 | EF3 | 99 km | 22.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 19, 1988 | EF3 | 70 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1984 | EF3 | 98 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1979 | EF3 | 74 km | 17.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 24, 1976 | EF3 | 89 km | 24.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 20, 1976 | EF3 | 71 km | 4.6 mi | 0 |
| Nov 24, 1973 | EF3 | 93 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1972 | EF3 | 86 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1972 | EF3 | 79 km | 12.8 mi | 0 |
| Feb 21, 1971 | EF3 | 69 km | 8.6 mi | 3 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
12 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (4,134 acres, 2006).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 4,134 | 72 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 2,042 | 90 km |
| 2012 | LACEY | 1,439 | 66 km |
| 2010 | DREW | 1,283 | 45 km |
| 2013 | SINGLETON CREEK | 1,124 | 87 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 1,057 | 96 km |
| 2006 | PINE ISLAND | 757 | 96 km |
| 2002 | PINE ISLAND | 676 | 96 km |
| 1988 | BRAD TRAM | 676 | 97 km |
| 2000 | PINE ISLAND 1 N | 673 | 97 km |
| 2013 | FOUNTAIN HILL | 655 | 70 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 514 | 96 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 42°F (6°C) | 4.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 47°F (8°C) | 4.8 in | |
| March | 55°F (13°C) | 5.6 in | Wettest |
| April | 63°F (17°C) | 4.8 in | |
| May | 71°F (22°C) | 4.8 in | |
| June | 79°F (26°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 4.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 81°F (27°C) | 2.7 in | Driest |
| September | 75°F (24°C) | 2.9 in | |
| October | 64°F (18°C) | 3.6 in | |
| November | 54°F (12°C) | 5.2 in | |
| December | 45°F (7°C) | 5.6 in |
Arkansas City has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 42°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 52.9 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.6") and August the driest (2.7").