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Weather & Climate in Bell, OK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bell enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. The area gets 318 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 45. The city sits at an elevation of 1,077 feet.
Temperature
38°F Jan (3°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 59.1°F |
| 9% above US avg | |
| January Average | 38°F (3°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 318 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,077 ft (328 m) |
| Area | 8.6 sq mi (22.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 87/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.7297°N, 94.5679°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Adair County County |
| Nearest Airport | Fort Smith Regional (FSM) 31 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 45.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 53.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 77.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 2.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
73 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.7.
| Aug 24, 2021 | 1 km S of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.7 | 100 km | 7 km |
| Aug 18, 2019 | 1 km ENE of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.7 | 98 km | 6 km |
| Nov 15, 1990 | 16 km NNW of Hector, Arkansas | M3.5 | 139 km | 29 km |
| Aug 22, 2021 | 3 km ESE of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.4 | 98 km | 7 km |
| Jul 22, 2021 | 2 km E of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.3 | 97 km | 8 km |
| Feb 7, 2020 | 2 km SSW of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.2 | 102 km | 6 km |
| Feb 7, 2020 | 3 km SSW of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.2 | 102 km | 6 km |
| May 27, 2007 | 9 km SW of Hanna, Oklahoma | M3.2 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Aug 12, 2019 | 1 km NE of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.2 | 97 km | 5 km |
| Jun 3, 2022 | 10 km W of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.2 | 107 km | 13 km |
| Mar 14, 2022 | 12 km E of Crowder, Oklahoma | M3.1 | 112 km | 8 km |
| Jan 7, 2018 | 7 km SW of Indianola, Oklahoma | M3.1 | 134 km | 5 km |
| Apr 1, 2020 | 2 km NE of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.1 | 96 km | 9 km |
| Sep 21, 2019 | 2 km NNE of Quinton, Oklahoma | M2.9 | 97 km | 7 km |
| Feb 3, 2021 | 1 km SW of Quinton, Oklahoma | M2.9 | 101 km | 7 km |
| May 8, 2022 | 13 km WSW of Quinton, Oklahoma | M2.9 | 112 km | 7 km |
| Aug 14, 2024 | 13 km WSW of Quinton, Oklahoma | M2.9 | 111 km | 8 km |
| Aug 12, 2021 | 2 km E of Quinton, Oklahoma | M2.8 | 98 km | 7 km |
| Jul 8, 2019 | 3 km ENE of Quinton, OK | M2.8 | 96 km | 10 km |
| Mar 23, 2024 | 9 km SE of Foyil, Oklahoma | M2.8 | 107 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
674 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 62 fatalities, 880 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 26, 1976 | EF5 | 60 km | 11.9 mi | 2 |
| May 24, 2011 | EF4 | 75 km | 45.7 mi | 4 |
| May 26, 1973 | EF4 | 71 km | 3.6 mi | 5 |
| Apr 19, 1968 | EF4 | 65 km | 2.0 mi | 14 |
| May 5, 1960 | EF4 | 39 km | 5.4 mi | 5 |
| Jan 22, 1957 | EF4 | 38 km | 0.1 mi | 10 |
| May 25, 2024 | EF3 | 64 km | 7.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 30, 2022 | EF3 | 57 km | 5.2 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2011 | EF3 | 100 km | 29.0 mi | 1 |
| May 22, 2011 | EF3 | 89 km | 17.9 mi | 0 |
| Dec 31, 2010 | EF3 | 30 km | 21.1 mi | 4 |
| Mar 12, 2006 | EF3 | 56 km | 25.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 2006 | EF3 | 63 km | 29.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 1999 | EF3 | 67 km | 2.0 mi | 2 |
| Jun 1, 1999 | EF3 | 92 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 1999 | EF3 | 18 km | 38.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1996 | EF3 | 40 km | 10.1 mi | 2 |
| Apr 21, 1996 | EF3 | 72 km | 15.0 mi | 2 |
| Nov 22, 1983 | EF3 | 21 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 2, 1982 | EF3 | 41 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (18,089 acres, 2007).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 18,089 | 52 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 15,318 | 71 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 14,774 | 63 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 13,929 | 69 km |
| 2016 | WEST CAVANAL FIRE | 13,100 | 77 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 12,086 | 55 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 11,929 | 69 km |
| 2017 | MIDDLE RIDGE | 8,501 | 18 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 7,919 | 76 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 7,804 | 76 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 7,415 | 52 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 7,344 | 76 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 6,657 | 17 km |
| 2017 | HILLTOP | 6,523 | 55 km |
| 2005 | TEXANNA ROAD | 6,139 | 85 km |
| 2010 | SPUD ROCK CENTRAL | 6,117 | 55 km |
| 2009 | TELAMAY HOLLOW | 5,686 | 40 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 5,537 | 57 km |
| 2011 | UNNAMED | 5,358 | 69 km |
| 2017 | PERSIMMON RIDGE | 5,333 | 48 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 38°F (3°C) | 2.1 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 41°F (5°C) | 2.6 in | |
| March | 50°F (10°C) | 4.5 in | |
| April | 59°F (15°C) | 4.6 in | |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 5.8 in | Wettest |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 4.3 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 3.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 78°F (26°C) | 3.6 in | |
| September | 71°F (22°C) | 4.8 in | |
| October | 60°F (16°C) | 4.2 in | |
| November | 49°F (9°C) | 4.1 in | |
| December | 40°F (4°C) | 3.2 in |
Bell has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 38°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.8") and January the driest (2.1").