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Weather & Climate in Bethesda, AR
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bethesda enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (15°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. The area gets 310 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 48.9 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 623 feet.
Temperature
37°F Jan (3°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 58.2°F |
| 8% above US avg | |
| January Average | 37°F (3°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 310 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 623 ft (190 m) |
| Area | 1.5 sq mi (3.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 93/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.7871°N, 91.7927°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Independence County County |
| Nearest Airport | Batesville Regional (BVX) 9 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 69.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 56.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 26.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
291 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 | 77 km | 3 km |
| May 4, 2001 | 8 km NNW of Holland, Arkansas | M4.3 | 76 km | 8 km |
| May 1, 2005 | 5 km SSE of Manila, Arkansas | M4.2 | 149 km | 10 km |
| Feb 18, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M4.1 | 78 km | 6 km |
| Feb 10, 2005 | 3 km NNW of Etowah, Arkansas | M4.1 | 139 km | 15 km |
| Apr 8, 2011 | 3 km NE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.9 | 78 km | 6 km |
| Oct 29, 2012 | 8 km SW of Parkin, Arkansas | M3.9 | 124 km | 21 km |
| Oct 21, 1999 | 9 km NW of Maynard, Arkansas | M3.9 | 107 km | 10 km |
| Feb 18, 2011 | 3 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.9 | 79 km | 5 km |
| Aug 22, 2000 | 19 km WNW of Maynard, Arkansas | M3.9 | 99 km | 10 km |
| Jul 7, 1991 | 11 km ENE of Brandsville, Missouri | M3.9 | 102 km | 8 km |
| Jun 4, 2014 | 3 km ESE of Fairfield Bay, Arkansas | M3.8 | 47 km | 0 km |
| Feb 17, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.8 | 77 km | 6 km |
| Sep 17, 1997 | 2 km E of Trumann, Arkansas | M3.8 | 119 km | 0 km |
| Apr 7, 2011 | 2 km NE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.7 | 80 km | 6 km |
| Aug 16, 2003 | 5 km W of Thomasville, Missouri | M3.7 | 113 km | 0 km |
| Sep 12, 2019 | 13 km N of Big Flat, Arkansas | M3.7 | 67 km | 18 km |
| Feb 23, 2013 | 7 km SW of Trumann, Arkansas | M3.7 | 113 km | 14 km |
| Feb 20, 2011 | 3 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.6 | 79 km | 5 km |
| Jun 11, 2017 | 6 km NNE of Bergman, Arkansas | M3.6 | 126 km | 6 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
531 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 173 fatalities, 2,128 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 14, 1996 | EF4 | 50 km | 44.0 mi | 7 |
| Mar 15, 1984 | EF4 | 64 km | 41.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 15, 1984 | EF4 | 62 km | 26.0 mi | 5 |
| Dec 24, 1982 | EF4 | 46 km | 63.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 1982 | EF4 | 95 km | 20.0 mi | 2 |
| May 26, 1973 | EF4 | 69 km | 54.8 mi | 3 |
| May 15, 1968 | EF4 | 56 km | 20.9 mi | 35 |
| May 15, 1968 | EF4 | 33 km | 0.3 mi | 7 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 99 km | 7.6 mi | 2 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 83 km | 0.1 mi | 4 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 64 km | 14.6 mi | 50 |
| May 26, 2024 | EF3 | 93 km | 34.6 mi | 1 |
| Mar 28, 2020 | EF3 | 100 km | 12.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 30, 2010 | EF3 | 97 km | 20.3 mi | 1 |
| Apr 30, 2010 | EF3 | 61 km | 7.7 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 2008 | EF3 | 90 km | 45.3 mi | 5 |
| Mar 1, 2007 | EF3 | 95 km | 15.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 2, 2006 | EF3 | 88 km | 77.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 2, 2006 | EF3 | 92 km | 38.0 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 2003 | EF3 | 80 km | 43.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km.
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1811 | AR: NE - NEW MADRID EARTHQUAKES | Eruption + Earthquake | — | — | 128 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: DEAD HORSE (10,389 acres, 2007).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2007 | DEAD HORSE | 10,389 | 71 km |
| 2004 | LOWER WILD | 10,034 | 71 km |
| 2013 | LOWER WILDERNESS RX | 8,699 | 72 km |
| 2021 | SYL BIRMINGHAM | 6,803 | 58 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 6,457 | 99 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 4,873 | 59 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 4,493 | 42 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 4,337 | 44 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 4,000 | 93 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 3,807 | 58 km |
| 2024 | RX BAD BRANCH 2 | 3,591 | 42 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 3,579 | 98 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 3,542 | 58 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 3,499 | 98 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 3,441 | 53 km |
| 2019 | RXBURN | 3,434 | 98 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 3,404 | 55 km |
| 2024 | RX BROGDEN SHIELDS 2 | 3,398 | 98 km |
| 2022 | HATLEY MTN | 3,227 | 91 km |
| 2020 | RORIE NORTH | 3,180 | 49 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 37°F (3°C) | 2.8 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 42°F (6°C) | 3.4 in | |
| March | 51°F (10°C) | 5.0 in | |
| April | 60°F (15°C) | 4.7 in | |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 5.1 in | Wettest |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 3.3 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 3.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 3.4 in | |
| September | 72°F (22°C) | 4.3 in | |
| October | 61°F (16°C) | 3.7 in | |
| November | 49°F (10°C) | 4.7 in | |
| December | 40°F (5°C) | 4.4 in |
Bethesda has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 37°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.1") and January the driest (2.8").