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Weather & Climate in Benton, MS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Benton enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 68°F (20°C). Winters average 49°F in January while summers reach 85°F in July. The area gets 299 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 60.4 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 330 feet.
Temperature
49°F Jan (9°C)
85°F Jul (29°C)
| Annual Average | 67.6°F |
| 25% above US avg | |
| January Average | 49°F (9°C) |
| July Average | 85°F (29°C) |
| Sunny Days | 299 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 330 ft (101 m) |
| Area | 4.6 sq mi (11.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 98/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 32.8216°N, 90.2617°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Yazoo County County |
| Nearest Airport | Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International (JAN) 37 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 71.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 91.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 20.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
10 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 | 75 km | 16 km |
| May 3, 2015 | 7 km SSW of Canton, Mississippi | M3.2 | 34 km | 5 km |
| Jun 29, 2015 | 6 km SSW of Canton, Mississippi | M3.2 | 34 km | 5 km |
| Aug 11, 1996 | 9 km WSW of Shaw, Mississippi | M3.1 | 102 km | 10 km |
| Oct 26, 2002 | 3 km SE of Alligator, Mississippi | M3.1 | 144 km | 3 km |
| May 3, 2015 | 8 km WSW of Canton, Mississippi | M3.0 | 30 km | 5 km |
| Mar 15, 2025 | 5 km NNE of Magee, Mississippi | M3.0 | 113 km | 10 km |
| Aug 9, 2019 | Mississippi | M2.8 | 39 km | 5 km |
| Feb 11, 1991 | 10 km SSW of Clarksdale, Mississippi | M2.7 | 146 km | 12 km |
| Aug 17, 2015 | 9 km N of Madison, Mississippi | M2.6 | 34 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
9 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 3.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2021 | Ida | Category 2 | 75 mph | 252 km |
| 2020 | Laura | Category 3 | 98 mph | 282 km |
| 2020 | Zeta | Category 2 | 98 mph | 204 km |
| 2017 | Nate | Category 1 | 75 mph | 295 km |
| 2005 | Katrina | Category 3 | 121 mph | 131 km |
| 2004 | Ivan | Category 3 | 121 mph | 288 km |
| 1998 | Georges | Category 2 | 104 mph | 279 km |
| 1992 | Andrew | Category 1 | — | 292 km |
| 1985 | Elena | Category 3 | 115 mph | 240 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
829 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 248 fatalities, 2,861 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 3, 1966 | EF5 | 76 km | 202.5 mi | 58 |
| Dec 5, 1953 | EF5 | 81 km | 9.0 mi | 38 |
| Mar 24, 2023 | EF4 | 69 km | 59.2 mi | 17 |
| Apr 28, 2014 | EF4 | 78 km | 33.4 mi | 10 |
| Nov 24, 2001 | EF4 | 44 km | 11.5 mi | 2 |
| Nov 21, 1992 | EF4 | 95 km | 128.0 mi | 12 |
| Mar 9, 1992 | EF4 | 63 km | 20.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 19, 1988 | EF4 | 73 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 17, 1978 | EF4 | 100 km | 3.6 mi | 0 |
| Feb 23, 1977 | EF4 | 99 km | 15.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 29, 1976 | EF4 | 27 km | 22.3 mi | 3 |
| Feb 21, 1971 | EF4 | 72 km | 202.1 mi | 58 |
| Feb 21, 1971 | EF4 | 70 km | 65.2 mi | 13 |
| Dec 2, 1967 | EF4 | 84 km | 7.6 mi | 2 |
| Mar 11, 1963 | EF4 | 69 km | 45.2 mi | 2 |
| Mar 24, 2023 | EF3 | 58 km | 29.4 mi | 3 |
| Apr 28, 2014 | EF3 | 91 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2014 | EF3 | 66 km | 29.7 mi | 1 |
| Oct 17, 2012 | EF3 | 87 km | 14.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 93 km | 8.9 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BIEN 75-78 (4,658 acres, 2014).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2014 | BIEN 75-78 | 4,658 | 91 km |
| 2021 | BIENVILLE - CPT 38-39-40 | 4,545 | 77 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 4,007 | 76 km |
| 2010 | COMP 222-223-224 | 3,745 | 84 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 3,547 | 64 km |
| 2010 | BIEN 1-4 | 2,983 | 63 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,935 | 83 km |
| 2021 | BIENVILLE CPT 1-4 | 2,761 | 64 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 2,436 | 69 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,388 | 77 km |
| 2022 | 508 | 2,386 | 65 km |
| 2021 | BIENVILLE - CPT 76/77 | 2,246 | 92 km |
| 2013 | BIEN 42-46 55 | 2,215 | 83 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 2,128 | 83 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 2,094 | 92 km |
| 2014 | BIEN 5-7 | 1,890 | 66 km |
| 2013 | BIEN 1-4 | 1,888 | 63 km |
| 2021 | BIENVILLE - CPT 45/46 | 1,861 | 82 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 1,827 | 88 km |
| 2021 | BIENVILLE - CPT 42-44 | 1,815 | 84 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 49°F (9°C) | 5.8 in | |
| February | 48°F (9°C) | 4.9 in | |
| March | 56°F (13°C) | 6.3 in | Wettest |
| April | 63°F (17°C) | 5.8 in | |
| May | 71°F (22°C) | 5.4 in | |
| June | 78°F (25°C) | 3.7 in | |
| July | 85°F (29°C) | 4.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 80°F (27°C) | 3.4 in | |
| September | 75°F (24°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| October | 64°F (18°C) | 3.9 in | |
| November | 55°F (13°C) | 5.1 in | |
| December | 47°F (8°C) | 5.8 in | Coldest |
Benton has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 47°F in December to 85°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 57.0 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.3") and September the driest (3.0").