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Weather & Climate in Branch, AR
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Branch enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 39°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 51.6 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 473 feet.
Temperature
39°F Jan (4°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 60.5°F |
| 12% above US avg | |
| January Average | 39°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 301 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 473 ft (144 m) |
| Area | 3.1 sq mi (8.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 107/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.3083°N, 93.9554°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Franklin County County |
| Nearest Airport | Fort Smith Regional (FSM) 25 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 49.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 94.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 18.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
250 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 | 145 km | 3 km |
| Feb 18, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M4.1 | 143 km | 6 km |
| Feb 18, 2011 | 3 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.9 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Apr 8, 2011 | 3 km NE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.9 | 145 km | 6 km |
| Feb 17, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.8 | 145 km | 6 km |
| Aug 24, 2021 | 1 km S of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.7 | 131 km | 7 km |
| Aug 18, 2019 | 1 km ENE of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.7 | 129 km | 6 km |
| Apr 7, 2011 | 2 km NE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.7 | 144 km | 6 km |
| Jun 11, 2017 | 6 km NNE of Bergman, Arkansas | M3.6 | 147 km | 6 km |
| Feb 28, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.6 | 144 km | 4 km |
| Feb 20, 2011 | 3 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.6 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Feb 16, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.5 | 145 km | 7 km |
| Mar 3, 2011 | 0 km N of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.5 | 142 km | 7 km |
| Feb 25, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.5 | 144 km | 6 km |
| Mar 9, 2011 | 1 km NW of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.5 | 142 km | 6 km |
| Apr 8, 2011 | 2 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.5 | 144 km | 6 km |
| Nov 15, 1990 | 16 km NNW of Hector, Arkansas | M3.5 | 89 km | 29 km |
| Aug 22, 2021 | 3 km ESE of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.4 | 127 km | 7 km |
| Jun 27, 2000 | 15 km WSW of Marshall, Arkansas | M3.4 | 121 km | 0 km |
| May 24, 2013 | 16 km WSW of Center Ridge, Arkansas | M3.4 | 113 km | 6 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
431 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 69 fatalities, 1,039 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 26, 1976 | EF5 | 69 km | 11.9 mi | 2 |
| May 24, 2011 | EF4 | 3 km | 45.7 mi | 4 |
| Feb 5, 2008 | EF4 | 84 km | 121.8 mi | 13 |
| Apr 19, 1968 | EF4 | 31 km | 2.0 mi | 14 |
| May 5, 1960 | EF4 | 55 km | 5.4 mi | 5 |
| Jan 22, 1957 | EF4 | 67 km | 0.1 mi | 10 |
| Mar 30, 2022 | EF3 | 92 km | 5.2 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2011 | EF3 | 41 km | 29.0 mi | 1 |
| Dec 31, 2010 | EF3 | 94 km | 21.1 mi | 4 |
| Apr 9, 2009 | EF3 | 92 km | 14.8 mi | 3 |
| May 4, 1999 | EF3 | 61 km | 38.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1996 | EF3 | 54 km | 15.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 21, 1996 | EF3 | 46 km | 10.1 mi | 2 |
| Nov 22, 1983 | EF3 | 94 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 2, 1982 | EF3 | 31 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 7, 1980 | EF3 | 58 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 7, 1980 | EF3 | 44 km | 3.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 26, 1976 | EF3 | 57 km | 16.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1974 | EF3 | 56 km | 11.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 1970 | EF3 | 85 km | 51.8 mi | 1 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (15,318 acres, 2000).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 15,318 | 14 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 14,993 | 69 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 14,774 | 46 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 13,929 | 16 km |
| 2016 | WEST CAVANAL FIRE | 13,100 | 80 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 11,929 | 16 km |
| 2024 | RX FOUCHE VALLEY | 10,912 | 52 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 10,593 | 63 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 9,749 | 71 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 9,483 | 51 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 9,385 | 38 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 9,368 | 69 km |
| 2021 | BILLY CREEK | 9,236 | 96 km |
| 2010 | W72 BLOOD SPRINGS | 8,674 | 85 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 8,607 | 92 km |
| 2017 | MIDDLE RIDGE | 8,501 | 68 km |
| 2006 | NO MANS LAND | 8,250 | 99 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 7,945 | 35 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 7,919 | 52 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 7,804 | 52 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 39°F (4°C) | 2.6 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 43°F (6°C) | 3.0 in | |
| March | 52°F (11°C) | 4.4 in | |
| April | 61°F (16°C) | 4.5 in | |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 5.5 in | Wettest |
| June | 76°F (25°C) | 4.4 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 3.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 80°F (27°C) | 2.9 in | |
| September | 73°F (23°C) | 4.1 in | |
| October | 62°F (17°C) | 4.1 in | |
| November | 50°F (10°C) | 4.7 in | |
| December | 41°F (5°C) | 3.9 in |
Branch has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 39°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.4 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.5") and January the driest (2.6").