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Weather & Climate in Bismarck, AR
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bismarck enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 81°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 58.1 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 601 feet.
Temperature
40°F Jan (4°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 61.0°F |
| 13% above US avg | |
| January Average | 40°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 301 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 601 ft (183 m) |
| Area | 1.5 sq mi (3.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 42/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.3218°N, 93.1781°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Garland County County |
| Nearest Airport | Bill And Hillary Clinton Ntl/Adams Field (LIT) 61 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 89.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 81.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 38.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
212 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 | 129 km | 3 km |
| May 4, 2001 | 8 km NNW of Holland, Arkansas | M4.3 | 130 km | 8 km |
| Feb 18, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M4.1 | 128 km | 6 km |
| Feb 18, 2011 | 3 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.9 | 128 km | 5 km |
| Apr 8, 2011 | 3 km NE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.9 | 128 km | 6 km |
| Feb 17, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.8 | 130 km | 6 km |
| Apr 7, 2011 | 2 km NE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.7 | 127 km | 6 km |
| Feb 28, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.6 | 129 km | 4 km |
| Feb 20, 2011 | 3 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.6 | 128 km | 5 km |
| Nov 15, 1990 | 16 km NNW of Hector, Arkansas | M3.5 | 143 km | 29 km |
| Mar 3, 2011 | 0 km N of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.5 | 125 km | 7 km |
| Feb 16, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.5 | 129 km | 7 km |
| Apr 8, 2011 | 2 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.5 | 127 km | 6 km |
| Mar 9, 2011 | 1 km NW of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.5 | 125 km | 6 km |
| Feb 25, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.5 | 129 km | 6 km |
| Feb 21, 2011 | 3 km N of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.4 | 127 km | 6 km |
| May 22, 2013 | 16 km WSW of Center Ridge, Arkansas | M3.4 | 117 km | 5 km |
| May 24, 2013 | 16 km WSW of Center Ridge, Arkansas | M3.4 | 117 km | 6 km |
| Feb 19, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.4 | 128 km | 7 km |
| Feb 24, 2011 | 4 km SSW of Guy, Arkansas | M3.4 | 131 km | 4 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 | — | 258 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
429 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 88 fatalities, 1,304 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 2014 | EF4 | 70 km | 41.1 mi | 16 |
| Feb 5, 2008 | EF4 | 87 km | 121.8 mi | 13 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF4 | 49 km | 27.0 mi | 6 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF4 | 83 km | 11.0 mi | 5 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF4 | 64 km | 14.0 mi | 10 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF4 | 25 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 84 km | 13.0 mi | 7 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF3 | 78 km | 34.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 2011 | EF3 | 33 km | 16.8 mi | 1 |
| Nov 27, 2005 | EF3 | 91 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 27, 2005 | EF3 | 98 km | 15.0 mi | 1 |
| Nov 27, 2005 | EF3 | 60 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 5, 1999 | EF3 | 45 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 21, 1999 | EF3 | 42 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 21, 1999 | EF3 | 67 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 21, 1999 | EF3 | 74 km | 39.0 mi | 3 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF3 | 80 km | 18.0 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 1996 | EF3 | 42 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 1996 | EF3 | 42 km | 26.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 9, 1984 | EF3 | 66 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: RX FOUCHE VALLEY (10,912 acres, 2024).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2024 | RX FOUCHE VALLEY | 10,912 | 79 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 9,749 | 62 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 9,483 | 88 km |
| 2010 | W72 BLOOD SPRINGS | 8,674 | 64 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 8,607 | 68 km |
| 2006 | NO MANS LAND | 8,250 | 63 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 7,347 | 69 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 6,804 | 74 km |
| 2022 | RIVER ROAD | 6,722 | 87 km |
| 2010 | WEST GRAPEVINE RX | 5,878 | 74 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 5,759 | 73 km |
| 2020 | NEWMAN 489 | 5,662 | 87 km |
| 2021 | JACK PIGEON | 5,643 | 93 km |
| 2022 | LITTLE MISSOURI | 5,624 | 73 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 5,604 | 66 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 5,428 | 73 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 5,396 | 65 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 5,333 | 74 km |
| 2024 | RX LITTLE MISSOURI | 5,312 | 73 km |
| 2006 | FLATSIDE | 5,256 | 59 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40°F (4°C) | 3.4 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 45°F (7°C) | 4.1 in | |
| March | 53°F (11°C) | 5.4 in | |
| April | 61°F (16°C) | 5.2 in | |
| May | 69°F (20°C) | 6.1 in | Wettest |
| June | 76°F (24°C) | 4.5 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 4.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 3.4 in | |
| September | 73°F (23°C) | 4.2 in | |
| October | 62°F (17°C) | 4.3 in | |
| November | 51°F (10°C) | 5.7 in | |
| December | 43°F (6°C) | 5.2 in |
Bismarck has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 40°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 55.9 inches, with May being the wettest month (6.1") and January the driest (3.4").