All Countries
Weather & Climate in Canton, MS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Canton enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 45°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 57.1 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 220 feet.
Temperature
45°F Jan (7°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 63.4°F |
| 17% above US avg | |
| January Average | 45°F (7°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 304 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 220 ft (67 m) |
| Area | 21.5 sq mi (55.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 510/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 32.5984°N, 90.0322°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Madison County County |
| Nearest Airport | Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International (JAN) 20 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 82.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 22.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 92.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
9 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 | 107 km | 16 km |
| Mar 25, 1996 | 11 km NNE of Quitman, Mississippi | M3.5 | 138 km | 5 km |
| May 3, 2015 | 7 km SSW of Canton, Mississippi | M3.2 | 6 km | 5 km |
| Jun 29, 2015 | 6 km SSW of Canton, Mississippi | M3.2 | 6 km | 5 km |
| Aug 11, 1996 | 9 km WSW of Shaw, Mississippi | M3.1 | 134 km | 10 km |
| May 3, 2015 | 8 km WSW of Canton, Mississippi | M3.0 | 8 km | 5 km |
| Mar 15, 2025 | 5 km NNE of Magee, Mississippi | M3.0 | 82 km | 10 km |
| Aug 9, 2019 | Mississippi | M2.8 | 8 km | 5 km |
| Aug 17, 2015 | 9 km N of Madison, Mississippi | M2.6 | 10 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
9 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 3.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2021 | Ida | Category 3 | 121 mph | 234 km |
| 2020 | Zeta | Category 2 | 98 mph | 171 km |
| 2020 | Laura | Category 1 | — | 296 km |
| 2017 | Nate | Category 1 | 75 mph | 263 km |
| 2005 | Katrina | Category 3 | 121 mph | 98 km |
| 2004 | Ivan | Category 3 | 121 mph | 257 km |
| 1998 | Georges | Category 2 | 104 mph | 247 km |
| 1992 | Andrew | Category 1 | 92 mph | 282 km |
| 1985 | Elena | Category 3 | 115 mph | 212 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
931 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 264 fatalities, 3,065 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF5 | 89 km | 28.3 mi | 3 |
| Mar 3, 1966 | EF5 | 67 km | 202.5 mi | 58 |
| Dec 5, 1953 | EF5 | 87 km | 9.0 mi | 38 |
| Mar 24, 2023 | EF4 | 94 km | 59.2 mi | 17 |
| Apr 28, 2014 | EF4 | 64 km | 33.4 mi | 10 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 80 km | 122.0 mi | 7 |
| Nov 24, 2001 | EF4 | 25 km | 11.5 mi | 2 |
| Nov 22, 1992 | EF4 | 96 km | 40.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 21, 1992 | EF4 | 72 km | 128.0 mi | 12 |
| Mar 9, 1992 | EF4 | 94 km | 20.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 19, 1988 | EF4 | 75 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 23, 1977 | EF4 | 88 km | 15.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 29, 1976 | EF4 | 18 km | 22.3 mi | 3 |
| Mar 26, 1976 | EF4 | 91 km | 18.5 mi | 0 |
| Feb 21, 1971 | EF4 | 93 km | 202.1 mi | 58 |
| Feb 21, 1971 | EF4 | 72 km | 65.2 mi | 13 |
| Dec 2, 1967 | EF4 | 55 km | 7.6 mi | 2 |
| Mar 11, 1963 | EF4 | 73 km | 45.2 mi | 2 |
| Jun 18, 2023 | EF3 | 95 km | 6.5 mi | 1 |
| Mar 24, 2023 | EF3 | 79 km | 29.4 mi | 3 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BIEN 75-78 (4,658 acres, 2014).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2014 | BIEN 75-78 | 4,658 | 59 km |
| 2021 | BIENVILLE - CPT 38-39-40 | 4,545 | 46 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 4,007 | 45 km |
| 2010 | COMP 222-223-224 | 3,745 | 52 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 3,547 | 35 km |
| 2010 | BIEN 1-4 | 2,983 | 34 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,935 | 52 km |
| 2021 | BIENVILLE CPT 1-4 | 2,761 | 35 km |
| 2022 | BIENVILLE CPT 203/205 | 2,731 | 87 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 2,436 | 39 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,388 | 46 km |
| 2022 | 508 | 2,386 | 36 km |
| 2022 | BIENVILLE CPT 89/90 | 2,341 | 75 km |
| 2021 | BIENVILLE - CPT 76/77 | 2,246 | 59 km |
| 2013 | BIEN 42-46 55 | 2,215 | 52 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 2,128 | 51 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 2,094 | 59 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,945 | 76 km |
| 2014 | BIEN 5-7 | 1,890 | 36 km |
| 2013 | BIEN 1-4 | 1,888 | 35 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 45°F (7°C) | 5.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 48°F (9°C) | 4.8 in | |
| March | 56°F (13°C) | 6.0 in | Wettest |
| April | 63°F (17°C) | 5.7 in | |
| May | 71°F (22°C) | 5.3 in | |
| June | 78°F (26°C) | 3.4 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 4.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 80°F (27°C) | 3.4 in | |
| September | 76°F (24°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| October | 65°F (18°C) | 3.6 in | |
| November | 55°F (13°C) | 5.0 in | |
| December | 48°F (9°C) | 5.6 in |
Canton has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 45°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 55.8 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.0") and September the driest (3.1").