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Weather & Climate in Benton, AR
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Benton enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. The area gets 301 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 53.4 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 43. The city sits at an elevation of 459 feet.
Temperature
42°F Jan (5°C)
83°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 62.6°F |
| 16% above US avg | |
| January Average | 42°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 83°F (28°C) |
| Sunny Days | 301 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 459 ft (140 m) |
| Area | 22.7 sq mi (58.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,556/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.5774°N, 92.5726°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Saline County County |
| Nearest Airport | Bill And Hillary Clinton Ntl/Adams Field (LIT) 22 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 77.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 29.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 54.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
230 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.7.
| Feb 28, 2011 | 4 km NE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M4.7 | 79 km | 3 km |
| May 4, 2001 | 8 km NNW of Holland, Arkansas | M4.3 | 78 km | 8 km |
| Feb 18, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M4.1 | 79 km | 6 km |
| Feb 18, 2011 | 3 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.9 | 78 km | 5 km |
| Apr 8, 2011 | 3 km NE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.9 | 78 km | 6 km |
| Feb 17, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.8 | 80 km | 6 km |
| Jun 4, 2014 | 3 km ESE of Fairfield Bay, Arkansas | M3.8 | 115 km | 0 km |
| Apr 7, 2011 | 2 km NE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.7 | 77 km | 6 km |
| Feb 20, 2011 | 3 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.6 | 78 km | 5 km |
| Feb 28, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.6 | 79 km | 4 km |
| Feb 25, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.5 | 80 km | 6 km |
| Nov 15, 1990 | 16 km NNW of Hector, Arkansas | M3.5 | 122 km | 29 km |
| Mar 3, 2011 | 0 km N of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.5 | 76 km | 7 km |
| Mar 9, 2011 | 1 km NW of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.5 | 76 km | 6 km |
| Apr 8, 2011 | 2 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.5 | 78 km | 6 km |
| Feb 16, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.5 | 79 km | 7 km |
| Jun 27, 2000 | 15 km WSW of Marshall, Arkansas | M3.4 | 142 km | 0 km |
| Feb 19, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.4 | 79 km | 7 km |
| May 22, 2013 | 16 km WSW of Center Ridge, Arkansas | M3.4 | 81 km | 5 km |
| May 24, 2013 | 16 km WSW of Center Ridge, Arkansas | M3.4 | 81 km | 6 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
1 hurricane (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 1.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2020 | Laura | Category 1 | — | 291 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
600 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 124 fatalities, 1,790 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 2014 | EF4 | 24 km | 41.1 mi | 16 |
| Feb 5, 2008 | EF4 | 74 km | 121.8 mi | 13 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF4 | 8 km | 14.0 mi | 10 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF4 | 21 km | 11.0 mi | 5 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF4 | 62 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1968 | EF4 | 99 km | 33.7 mi | 5 |
| Apr 10, 1965 | EF4 | 54 km | 4.7 mi | 6 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 75 km | 7.6 mi | 2 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF3 | 18 km | 34.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 2011 | EF3 | 43 km | 16.8 mi | 1 |
| Apr 30, 2010 | EF3 | 95 km | 20.3 mi | 1 |
| May 10, 2008 | EF3 | 91 km | 14.1 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 2008 | EF3 | 82 km | 45.3 mi | 5 |
| Nov 27, 2005 | EF3 | 62 km | 15.0 mi | 1 |
| Nov 27, 2005 | EF3 | 58 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 27, 2005 | EF3 | 42 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 2003 | EF3 | 51 km | 34.9 mi | 0 |
| Dec 18, 2002 | EF3 | 63 km | 9.8 mi | 1 |
| Jan 21, 1999 | EF3 | 34 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 21, 1999 | EF3 | 73 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (8,607 acres, 2013).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 8,607 | 59 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 5,604 | 55 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 5,396 | 100 km |
| 2006 | FLATSIDE | 5,256 | 52 km |
| 2021 | LITTLE FIR 16 | 5,096 | 83 km |
| 2024 | RX MIDDLE NORTH FORK UNITS 3/4/5/6 | 4,854 | 70 km |
| 2020 | VANDERSLICE 1 AND 2 | 4,647 | 84 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 4,553 | 40 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 4,491 | 99 km |
| 2022 | EAST END BEAR MOUNTAIN | 4,472 | 68 km |
| 2010 | REDBANK CREEK NORTH | 4,466 | 77 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 4,461 | 53 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 4,436 | 63 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 4,109 | 68 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 3,997 | 53 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 3,968 | 53 km |
| 2021 | CW CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN | 3,943 | 74 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 3,938 | 42 km |
| 2019 | RX - FULTON BRANCH AREA 3-9 | 3,893 | 98 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 3,752 | 100 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 42°F (5°C) | 3.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 45°F (7°C) | 3.7 in | |
| March | 53°F (12°C) | 5.2 in | |
| April | 62°F (17°C) | 5.4 in | Wettest |
| May | 69°F (21°C) | 5.4 in | |
| June | 77°F (25°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 83°F (28°C) | 4.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 80°F (27°C) | 3.3 in | Driest |
| September | 73°F (23°C) | 4.3 in | |
| October | 62°F (17°C) | 4.1 in | |
| November | 51°F (11°C) | 5.4 in | |
| December | 43°F (6°C) | 5.0 in |
Benton has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 42°F in January to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 53.2 inches, with April being the wettest month (5.4") and August the driest (3.3").