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Weather & Climate in Bay, AR
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bay enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. The area gets 310 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 48.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 226 feet.
Temperature
39°F Jan (4°C)
82°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 60.9°F |
| 13% above US avg | |
| January Average | 39°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 82°F (28°C) |
| Sunny Days | 310 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 226 ft (69 m) |
| Area | 3.3 sq mi (8.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 767/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.7461°N, 90.5521°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Craighead County County |
| Nearest Airport | Walnut Ridge Regional (ARG) 33 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 91.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 66.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 52.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
361 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.5.
| May 4, 1991 | 2 km NNW of Risco, Missouri | M4.5 | 113 km | 11 km |
| May 1, 2005 | 5 km SSE of Manila, Arkansas | M4.2 | 38 km | 10 km |
| Feb 10, 2005 | 3 km NNW of Etowah, Arkansas | M4.1 | 27 km | 15 km |
| Jun 2, 2005 | 12 km S of Ridgely, Tennessee | M4.0 | 107 km | 15 km |
| Apr 30, 2003 | 1 km N of Blytheville, Arkansas | M4.0 | 61 km | 24 km |
| Aug 22, 2000 | 19 km WNW of Maynard, Arkansas | M3.9 | 95 km | 10 km |
| Oct 21, 1999 | 9 km NW of Maynard, Arkansas | M3.9 | 90 km | 10 km |
| Jul 7, 1991 | 11 km ENE of Brandsville, Missouri | M3.9 | 139 km | 8 km |
| Oct 29, 2012 | 8 km SW of Parkin, Arkansas | M3.9 | 61 km | 21 km |
| Nov 29, 1996 | 1 km W of Blytheville, Arkansas | M3.8 | 59 km | 19 km |
| May 16, 2024 | 6 km S of Ridgely, Tennessee | M3.8 | 109 km | 8 km |
| Sep 17, 1997 | 2 km E of Trumann, Arkansas | M3.8 | 11 km | 0 km |
| Aug 16, 2003 | 5 km W of Thomasville, Missouri | M3.7 | 149 km | 0 km |
| Feb 23, 2013 | 7 km SW of Trumann, Arkansas | M3.7 | 13 km | 14 km |
| Apr 24, 2019 | 12 km NNW of Dyersburg, Tennessee | M3.7 | 109 km | 14 km |
| Oct 15, 2017 | 6 km SE of Manila, Arkansas | M3.6 | 40 km | 17 km |
| Jan 16, 2018 | 4 km SW of Caruthersville, Missouri | M3.6 | 91 km | 9 km |
| Sep 22, 2011 | 6 km E of Grandin, Missouri | M3.6 | 121 km | 11 km |
| Apr 2, 2015 | 1 km WNW of Cooter, Missouri | M3.6 | 74 km | 10 km |
| Aug 20, 1994 | 4 km NE of Black Rock, Arkansas | M3.5 | 64 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
562 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 148 fatalities, 2,039 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Dec 10, 2021 | EF4 | 5 km | 81.2 mi | 8 |
| Jan 21, 1999 | EF4 | 59 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 1998 | EF4 | 36 km | 5.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF4 | 34 km | 20.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF4 | 83 km | 15.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 15, 1984 | EF4 | 69 km | 26.0 mi | 5 |
| Apr 22, 1981 | EF4 | 96 km | 63.0 mi | 1 |
| May 26, 1973 | EF4 | 91 km | 54.8 mi | 3 |
| May 15, 1968 | EF4 | 57 km | 20.9 mi | 35 |
| May 15, 1968 | EF4 | 84 km | 0.3 mi | 7 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 54 km | 0.1 mi | 4 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 74 km | 6.5 mi | 17 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF3 | 72 km | 39.2 mi | 1 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF3 | 73 km | 72.6 mi | 4 |
| Mar 28, 2020 | EF3 | 14 km | 12.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 30, 2010 | EF3 | 73 km | 7.7 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 2008 | EF3 | 58 km | 20.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2006 | EF3 | 65 km | 77.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 2, 2006 | EF3 | 74 km | 38.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 21, 1999 | EF3 | 80 km | 31.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km.
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1811 | AR: NE - NEW MADRID EARTHQUAKES | Eruption + Earthquake | — | — | 21 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
2 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (1,783 acres, 2006).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 1,783 | 97 km |
| 2005 | WAPANOCCA LAKE | 725 | 53 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 39°F (4°C) | 3.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 42°F (5°C) | 3.7 in | |
| March | 51°F (10°C) | 4.9 in | |
| April | 60°F (16°C) | 5.0 in | |
| May | 69°F (21°C) | 5.2 in | Wettest |
| June | 78°F (25°C) | 3.4 in | |
| July | 82°F (28°C) | 2.9 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 3.1 in | |
| September | 72°F (22°C) | 3.7 in | |
| October | 61°F (16°C) | 3.2 in | |
| November | 50°F (10°C) | 4.7 in | |
| December | 41°F (5°C) | 4.5 in |
Bay has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 39°F in January to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.7 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.2") and July the driest (2.9").