Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bentonia 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 197 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
197 ft (60 m)
Area
1.4 sq mi (3.7 km²)
Population Density
193/sq mi
Coordinates
32.6436°N, 90.3692°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Yazoo County County
Nearest Airport
Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International (JAN) 29 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall60.4"
59% above US avg
Snowfall0.1"
Wettest Month (Mar)6.22"
Driest Month (Sep)3.03"
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
8 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
81 km
16 km
May 3, 2015
7 km SSW of Canton, Mississippi
M3.2
29 km
5 km
Jun 29, 2015
6 km SSW of Canton, Mississippi
M3.2
29 km
5 km
Aug 11, 1996
9 km WSW of Shaw, Mississippi
M3.1
114 km
10 km
May 3, 2015
8 km WSW of Canton, Mississippi
M3.0
25 km
5 km
Mar 15, 2025
5 km NNE of Magee, Mississippi
M3.0
102 km
10 km
Aug 9, 2019
Mississippi
M2.8
34 km
5 km
Aug 17, 2015
9 km N of Madison, Mississippi
M2.6
26 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
10 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
231 km
2020
Laura
Category 3
98 mph
266 km
2020
Zeta
Category 2
98 mph
196 km
2017
Nate
Category 1
75 mph
281 km
2008
Gustav
Category 1
—
298 km
2005
Katrina
Category 3
121 mph
123 km
2004
Ivan
Category 3
121 mph
287 km
1998
Georges
Category 2
104 mph
266 km
1992
Andrew
Category 1
92 mph
270 km
1985
Elena
Category 3
115 mph
223 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
861 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 257 fatalities, 3,084 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Mar 3, 1966
EF5
54 km
202.5 mi
58
Dec 5, 1953
EF5
61 km
9.0 mi
38
Mar 24, 2023
EF4
63 km
59.2 mi
17
Apr 28, 2014
EF4
92 km
33.4 mi
10
Apr 24, 2010
EF4
91 km
149.0 mi
10
Nov 24, 2001
EF4
29 km
11.5 mi
2
Nov 21, 1992
EF4
76 km
128.0 mi
12
Mar 9, 1992
EF4
66 km
20.0 mi
0
Jan 19, 1988
EF4
93 km
13.0 mi
0
Mar 29, 1976
EF4
100 km
126.5 mi
0
Mar 29, 1976
EF4
16 km
22.3 mi
3
Feb 21, 1971
EF4
49 km
65.2 mi
13
Feb 21, 1971
EF4
61 km
202.1 mi
58
Dec 2, 1967
EF4
87 km
7.6 mi
2
Mar 11, 1963
EF4
89 km
45.2 mi
2
Mar 24, 2023
EF3
80 km
29.4 mi
3
Apr 28, 2014
EF3
91 km
4.3 mi
0
Apr 28, 2014
EF3
48 km
29.7 mi
1
Oct 17, 2012
EF3
89 km
14.4 mi
0
Apr 27, 2011
EF3
56 km
23.0 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
89 km
2021
BIENVILLE - CPT 38-39-40
4,545
76 km
2018
UNNAMED
4,007
76 km
2010
COMP 222-223-224
3,745
83 km
2017
UNNAMED
3,547
67 km
2010
BIEN 1-4
2,983
66 km
2017
UNNAMED
2,935
83 km
2021
BIENVILLE CPT 1-4
2,761
67 km
2019
UNNAMED
2,436
71 km
2013
UNNAMED
2,388
77 km
2022
508
2,386
68 km
2021
BIENVILLE - CPT 76/77
2,246
89 km
2013
BIEN 42-46 55
2,215
83 km
2014
UNNAMED
2,128
82 km
2018
UNNAMED
2,094
89 km
2014
BIEN 5-7
1,890
68 km
2013
BIEN 1-4
1,888
66 km
2021
BIENVILLE - CPT 45/46
1,861
81 km
2017
UNNAMED
1,827
85 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)
5.7 in
February
48°F (9°C)
4.9 in
March
56°F (13°C)
6.2 in
Wettest
April
63°F (17°C)
5.6 in
May
71°F (22°C)
5.2 in
June
78°F (26°C)
3.7 in
July
85°F (29°C)
4.2 in
Warmest
August
80°F (27°C)
3.4 in
September
75°F (24°C)
3.0 in
Driest
October
64°F (18°C)
3.8 in
November
55°F (13°C)
4.9 in
December
48°F (9°C)
5.9 in
Coldest
Bentonia has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 48°F in December to 85°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 56.5 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.2") and September the driest (3.0").