Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bolivar enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. The area gets 304 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 54.6 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 44. 66% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 140 feet.
Temperature
42°F Jan (6°C)81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average
62.9°F
16% above US avg
January Average
42°F (6°C)
July Average
81°F (27°C)
Sunny Days
304 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
140 ft (43 m)
Area
0.3 sq mi (0.6 km²)
Population Density
220/sq mi
Coordinates
33.6607°N, 91.0518°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Desha County County
Nearest Airport
Pinebluff Regional/Grider Field (PBF) 62 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall54.6"
44% above US avg
Snowfall0.6"
Wettest Month (Mar)5.71"
Driest Month (Aug)2.68"
Air Quality
AQI Median
44.0
Rating
Good
Good Days %
66.4%
Unhealthy Days
0
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Very Low
Risk Score
32.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability
98.0 / 100
Community Resilience
53.2 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
Hurricane
Relatively Low
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Very Low
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Low
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Very Low
Lightning
Very Low
Ice Storm
Relatively Low
Drought
Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
Landslide
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
12 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
53 km
16 km
Aug 11, 1996
9 km WSW of Shaw, Mississippi
M3.1
19 km
10 km
Oct 26, 2002
3 km SE of Alligator, Mississippi
M3.1
56 km
3 km
May 16, 2007
5 km SW of Calion, Arkansas
M3.0
148 km
5 km
May 3, 2015
8 km WSW of Canton, Mississippi
M3.0
149 km
5 km
Aug 11, 2002
8 km ESE of Darling, Mississippi
M2.8
110 km
4 km
Feb 25, 1999
10 km NE of Oakland, Mississippi
M2.8
123 km
5 km
Feb 11, 1991
10 km SSW of Clarksdale, Mississippi
M2.7
65 km
12 km
Oct 18, 2009
9 km SE of Redfield, Arkansas
M2.6
127 km
29 km
Apr 11, 1996
9 km ENE of Biscoe, Arkansas
M2.6
135 km
7 km
Jan 12, 2017
9 km E of Leola, Arkansas
M2.6
145 km
10 km
Oct 20, 1999
8 km NE of Clarendon, Arkansas
M2.5
124 km
9 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
2 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980.
Strongest on record: Category 1.
Year
Name
Category
Max Wind
Closest
2020
Laura
Category 2
98 mph
266 km
2005
Katrina
Category 1
92 mph
249 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
453 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 56 fatalities, 781 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Mar 24, 2023
EF4
91 km
59.2 mi
17
Nov 24, 2001
EF4
22 km
30.3 mi
0
Mar 9, 1992
EF4
70 km
20.0 mi
0
Apr 17, 1978
EF4
22 km
3.6 mi
0
Mar 28, 1975
EF4
100 km
5.4 mi
7
Apr 3, 1968
EF4
79 km
33.7 mi
5
Dec 23, 2015
EF3
49 km
61.6 mi
2
Feb 24, 2007
EF3
65 km
29.1 mi
0
Nov 24, 2001
EF3
62 km
5.0 mi
0
Feb 24, 2001
EF3
86 km
22.0 mi
0
Feb 24, 2001
EF3
35 km
42.0 mi
0
May 2, 1997
EF3
94 km
20.0 mi
0
Nov 19, 1988
EF3
55 km
4.0 mi
0
Apr 8, 1979
EF3
89 km
17.7 mi
0
Apr 24, 1976
EF3
77 km
24.6 mi
0
Mar 20, 1976
EF3
80 km
4.6 mi
0
Nov 24, 1973
EF3
79 km
0.1 mi
0
Nov 20, 1973
EF3
93 km
11.9 mi
0
Apr 21, 1972
EF3
69 km
12.8 mi
0
Feb 21, 1971
EF3
54 km
8.6 mi
3
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
4 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: UNNAMED (4,134 acres, 2006).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2006
UNNAMED
4,134
86 km
2012
LACEY
1,439
81 km
2010
DREW
1,283
60 km
2013
FOUNTAIN HILL
655
86 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
42°F (6°C)
4.8 in
Coldest
February
46°F (8°C)
4.7 in
March
55°F (13°C)
5.7 in
Wettest
April
63°F (17°C)
5.1 in
May
72°F (22°C)
5.0 in
June
79°F (26°C)
4.2 in
July
81°F (27°C)
4.1 in
Warmest
August
81°F (27°C)
2.7 in
Driest
September
75°F (24°C)
3.0 in
October
64°F (18°C)
3.5 in
November
54°F (12°C)
5.3 in
December
45°F (7°C)
5.6 in
Bolivar has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 42°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 53.6 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.7") and August the driest (2.7").