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Weather & Climate in Bolivar, TN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bolivar 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 57.8 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 438 feet.
Temperature
40°F Jan (5°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 61.2°F |
| 13% above US avg | |
| January Average | 40°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 301 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 438 ft (134 m) |
| Area | 8.4 sq mi (21.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 638/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.2640°N, 89.0119°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Fayette County County |
| Nearest Airport | Mc Kellar-Sipes Regional (MKL) 24 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 76.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 62.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 50.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
248 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.2.
| May 1, 2005 | 5 km SSE of Manila, Arkansas | M4.2 | 121 km | 10 km |
| Feb 10, 2005 | 3 km NNW of Etowah, Arkansas | M4.1 | 125 km | 15 km |
| Apr 30, 2003 | 1 km N of Blytheville, Arkansas | M4.0 | 111 km | 24 km |
| Jun 2, 2005 | 12 km S of Ridgely, Tennessee | M4.0 | 107 km | 15 km |
| Oct 29, 2012 | 8 km SW of Parkin, Arkansas | M3.9 | 147 km | 21 km |
| May 16, 2024 | 6 km S of Ridgely, Tennessee | M3.8 | 113 km | 8 km |
| Sep 17, 1997 | 2 km E of Trumann, Arkansas | M3.8 | 140 km | 0 km |
| Nov 29, 1996 | 1 km W of Blytheville, Arkansas | M3.8 | 112 km | 19 km |
| Feb 23, 2013 | 7 km SW of Trumann, Arkansas | M3.7 | 146 km | 14 km |
| Apr 24, 2019 | 12 km NNW of Dyersburg, Tennessee | M3.7 | 104 km | 14 km |
| Oct 15, 2017 | 6 km SE of Manila, Arkansas | M3.6 | 118 km | 17 km |
| Jan 16, 2018 | 4 km SW of Caruthersville, Missouri | M3.6 | 117 km | 9 km |
| Apr 2, 2015 | 1 km WNW of Cooter, Missouri | M3.6 | 114 km | 10 km |
| Jan 8, 1993 | 6 km WSW of Gosnell, Arkansas | M3.5 | 119 km | 22 km |
| Aug 25, 2015 | 9 km W of Henning, Tennessee | M3.5 | 75 km | 13 km |
| Sep 9, 2016 | 9 km NW of Tiptonville, Tennessee | M3.4 | 140 km | 10 km |
| Aug 29, 1990 | 9 km WSW of Central, Tennessee | M3.4 | 81 km | 15 km |
| Apr 28, 1993 | 8 km SSE of Ridgely, Tennessee | M3.4 | 111 km | 7 km |
| Nov 6, 2009 | 6 km NNW of Dyersburg, Tennessee | M3.4 | 98 km | 9 km |
| Jun 17, 2012 | 6 km NW of Tiptonville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 136 km | 8 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
481 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 188 fatalities, 1,656 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 16, 1998 | EF5 | 90 km | 69.4 mi | 3 |
| Dec 23, 2015 | EF4 | 98 km | 75.1 mi | 9 |
| Feb 5, 2008 | EF4 | 66 km | 16.2 mi | 3 |
| Feb 5, 2008 | EF4 | 48 km | 7.6 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 2003 | EF4 | 29 km | 39.0 mi | 11 |
| Jan 17, 1999 | EF4 | 37 km | 16.0 mi | 6 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF4 | 97 km | 15.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF4 | 94 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1971 | EF4 | 92 km | 50.9 mi | 3 |
| Apr 19, 1970 | EF4 | 61 km | 47.6 mi | 4 |
| Apr 3, 1956 | EF4 | 60 km | 11.6 mi | 3 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 86 km | 4.7 mi | 2 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 3 km | 46.8 mi | 38 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 75 km | 29.6 mi | 16 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 96 km | 2.0 mi | 4 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF3 | 21 km | 86.0 mi | 9 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF3 | 78 km | 39.2 mi | 1 |
| Dec 10, 2021 | EF3 | 98 km | 122.6 mi | 0 |
| Dec 23, 2015 | EF3 | 96 km | 48.4 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 2010 | EF3 | 54 km | 29.6 mi | 3 |
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 | — | — | 131 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: C-55 CHILLI LAKE (3,555 acres, 2014).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2014 | C-55 CHILLI LAKE | 3,555 | 67 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 3,152 | 65 km |
| 2014 | C-39 EAST CHEWALLA | 3,107 | 65 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 3,031 | 67 km |
| 2022 | HOLLY SPRINGS BB 119/90/88 | 2,955 | 94 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,848 | 68 km |
| 2014 | C-84 BAGLEY BOTTOMS | 2,766 | 94 km |
| 2013 | MIDWAY CEM PRESCRIBED BURN | 2,513 | 92 km |
| 2013 | PUSKUS LAKE | 2,271 | 98 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,248 | 78 km |
| 2022 | HOLLY SPRINGS BB 51/52/53 | 2,182 | 66 km |
| 2010 | COMP 42 | 2,142 | 69 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,073 | 94 km |
| 2022 | HOLLY SPRINGS BB10 11 12 14 | 1,977 | 45 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 1,972 | 78 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 1,785 | 68 km |
| 2011 | HOLLY SPRINGS RX | 1,780 | 68 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 1,668 | 79 km |
| 2024 | HSRD 47 1 2 RX | 1,634 | 60 km |
| 2015 | BURN BLOCK 58 PISGAH RD | 1,464 | 71 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40°F (5°C) | 4.1 in | Coldest |
| February | 42°F (6°C) | 4.4 in | |
| March | 51°F (11°C) | 5.6 in | Wettest |
| April | 60°F (15°C) | 5.3 in | |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 5.3 in | |
| June | 76°F (24°C) | 3.8 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 4.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 78°F (25°C) | 3.3 in | |
| September | 72°F (22°C) | 4.0 in | |
| October | 61°F (16°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| November | 50°F (10°C) | 5.1 in | |
| December | 42°F (5°C) | 5.5 in |
Bolivar has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 40°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 53.4 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.6") and October the driest (3.1").