Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bernice enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 80°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 755 feet.
Temperature
36°F Jan (2°C)80°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average
58.7°F
9% above US avg
January Average
36°F (2°C)
July Average
80°F (27°C)
Sunny Days
318 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
755 ft (230 m)
Area
0.8 sq mi (2.1 km²)
Population Density
463/sq mi
Coordinates
36.6234°N, 94.9135°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Ottawa County County
Nearest Airport
Grand Lake Regional (NRI) 4 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Wettest Month (Sep)5.04"
Driest Month (Jan)1.77"
Air Quality
AQI Median
45.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
76.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability
88.2 / 100
Community Resilience
29.5 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Moderate
Hurricane
Very Low
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Relatively Low
Flood
Relatively Moderate
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively High
Heat Wave
Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather
Relatively Moderate
Lightning
Relatively Low
Ice Storm
Very High
Drought
Relatively High
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
Landslide
Relatively Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
6 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M2.8.
Mar 23, 2024
9 km SE of Foyil, Oklahoma
M2.8
56 km
5 km
Jan 14, 2016
7 km W of Talala, Oklahoma
M2.7
78 km
5 km
Apr 3, 2016
Arkansas-Oklahoma border region
M2.7
106 km
5 km
Sep 3, 2015
6 km WSW of Vera, Oklahoma
M2.6
95 km
5 km
May 21, 2010
2 km SW of Centerton, Arkansas
M2.6
62 km
1 km
Apr 29, 2010
3 km SW of Centerton, Arkansas
M2.5
62 km
0 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
805 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 231 fatalities, 2,370 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
May 22, 2011
EF5
56 km
21.6 mi
158
May 10, 2008
EF4
47 km
75.5 mi
21
May 4, 2003
EF4
90 km
33.0 mi
4
Apr 24, 1993
EF4
98 km
5.5 mi
7
Apr 26, 1991
EF4
75 km
4.0 mi
0
Apr 24, 1975
EF4
38 km
11.9 mi
3
Sep 27, 1959
EF4
39 km
20.4 mi
1
Apr 3, 1956
EF4
17 km
41.8 mi
0
May 25, 2024
EF3
84 km
23.9 mi
2
May 25, 2024
EF3
45 km
7.9 mi
0
Mar 30, 2022
EF3
88 km
5.2 mi
0
May 22, 2019
EF3
60 km
9.2 mi
0
May 22, 2019
EF3
97 km
11.3 mi
3
May 22, 2011
EF3
16 km
17.9 mi
0
Dec 31, 2010
EF3
76 km
21.1 mi
4
Mar 12, 2006
EF3
61 km
29.0 mi
0
Mar 12, 2006
EF3
50 km
25.0 mi
0
Apr 21, 2005
EF3
97 km
5.0 mi
0
May 4, 2003
EF3
72 km
49.0 mi
7
May 4, 2003
EF3
51 km
25.0 mi
5
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: UNNAMED (51,112 acres, 2014).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2014
UNNAMED
51,112
83 km
2015
WOLF CREEK
18,077
80 km
2014
UNNAMED
14,119
96 km
2016
MUSTANG
10,060
99 km
2009
TELAMAY HOLLOW
5,686
67 km
2009
SAWMILL HOLLOW
5,166
65 km
1992
UNNAMED
4,546
61 km
2005
FLAT ROCK
4,472
67 km
2004
UNNAMED
4,424
63 km
1995
F128
4,210
66 km
2018
ONION PRAIRIE
3,917
99 km
2024
NATURE FIRE
3,744
65 km
2015
LITTLE DEER
3,709
85 km
2014
UNNAMED
3,682
100 km
1986
UNNAMED
3,427
39 km
2007
UNNAMED
3,160
30 km
2016
RXBURN
2,951
71 km
1996
UNNAMED
2,918
61 km
2021
BRUSH CREEK
2,814
29 km
2004
UNNAMED
2,661
30 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
36°F (2°C)
1.8 in
Coldest, Driest
February
40°F (4°C)
2.1 in
March
49°F (10°C)
3.8 in
April
59°F (15°C)
4.0 in
May
67°F (19°C)
5.0 in
June
75°F (24°C)
4.7 in
July
80°F (27°C)
3.1 in
Warmest
August
79°F (26°C)
3.6 in
September
72°F (22°C)
5.0 in
Wettest
October
61°F (16°C)
3.8 in
November
49°F (9°C)
4.0 in
December
39°F (4°C)
2.7 in
Bernice has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 36°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 43.6 inches, with September being the wettest month (5.0") and January the driest (1.8").