Weather & Climate in Carthage, MS

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Carthage enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°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 57.8 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 381 feet.

Temperature

45°F Jan (7°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)

Annual Average	63.9°F
	18% above US avg
January Average	45°F (7°C)
July Average	81°F (27°C)
Sunny Days	304 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	381 ft (116 m)
Area	9.3 sq mi (24.2 km²)
Population Density	523/sq mi
Coordinates	32.7442°N, 89.5335°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Leake County County
Nearest Airport	Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International (JAN) 44 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 57.8"

52% above US avg

Snowfall 0.2"

Wettest Month (Mar) 6.06"

Driest Month (Sep) 3.31"

Air Quality

AQI Median	43.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	55.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability	95.8 / 100
Community Resilience	11.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Hurricane	Relatively Moderate
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively High
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
Landslide	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

24 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	140 km	16 km
Mar 25, 1996	11 km NNE of Quitman, Mississippi	M3.5	106 km	5 km
Jun 30, 2015	12 km W of Union, Alabama	M3.5	141 km	0 km
May 3, 2015	7 km SSW of Canton, Mississippi	M3.2	55 km	5 km
Jun 29, 2015	6 km SSW of Canton, Mississippi	M3.2	55 km	5 km
Mar 12, 2015	14 km W of Union, Alabama	M3.1	139 km	0 km
Feb 27, 2015	11 km WSW of Union, Alabama	M3.1	142 km	0 km
May 3, 2015	8 km WSW of Canton, Mississippi	M3.0	57 km	5 km
Mar 15, 2025	5 km NNE of Magee, Mississippi	M3.0	93 km	10 km
May 21, 2002	7 km ESE of York, Alabama	M3.0	127 km	27 km
Aug 9, 2019	Mississippi	M2.8	52 km	5 km
May 7, 1998	9 km SSE of Bellamy, Alabama	M2.8	140 km	10 km
Feb 19, 2015	14 km W of Union, Alabama	M2.8	140 km	0 km
Aug 13, 2015	9 km WSW of Union, Alabama	M2.7	144 km	1 km
Feb 19, 2015	13 km W of Union, Alabama	M2.7	141 km	0 km
Jun 6, 2015	9 km W of Union, Alabama	M2.7	144 km	1 km
Jan 22, 2015	12 km W of Union, Alabama	M2.6	141 km	0 km
Mar 11, 2006	3 km NW of Epes, Alabama	M2.6	129 km	31 km
Mar 10, 2004	15 km W of Union, Alabama	M2.6	138 km	0 km
Aug 17, 2015	9 km N of Madison, Mississippi	M2.6	59 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 2	75 mph	267 km
2020	Sally	Category 2	109 mph	296 km
2020	Zeta	Category 2	98 mph	161 km
2017	Nate	Category 1	75 mph	266 km
2005	Katrina	Category 3	121 mph	95 km
2004	Ivan	Category 3	121 mph	228 km
1998	Georges	Category 2	104 mph	246 km
1995	Opal	Category 3	115 mph	294 km
1985	Elena	Category 3	115 mph	229 km

Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

836 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 81 fatalities, 1,084 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Apr 27, 2011	EF5	40 km	28.3 mi	3
Apr 28, 2014	EF4	18 km	33.4 mi	10
Apr 27, 2011	EF4	80 km	122.0 mi	7
Nov 24, 2001	EF4	72 km	11.5 mi	2
Nov 22, 1992	EF4	99 km	40.0 mi	0
Jan 19, 1988	EF4	45 km	13.0 mi	0
Mar 12, 1986	EF4	80 km	23.0 mi	0
Feb 23, 1977	EF4	42 km	15.0 mi	2
Mar 29, 1976	EF4	67 km	22.3 mi	3
Dec 2, 1967	EF4	31 km	7.6 mi	2
Mar 11, 1963	EF4	49 km	45.2 mi	2
Jun 18, 2023	EF3	84 km	6.5 mi	1
Mar 24, 2023	EF3	79 km	29.4 mi	3
Mar 22, 2022	EF3	62 km	9.2 mi	0
Apr 28, 2014	EF3	42 km	4.3 mi	0
Apr 28, 2014	EF3	86 km	29.7 mi	1
Apr 11, 2013	EF3	64 km	66.4 mi	1
Oct 17, 2012	EF3	35 km	14.4 mi	0
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	64 km	23.0 mi	0
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	69 km	8.9 mi	0

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	51 km
2021	BIENVILLE - CPT 38-39-40	4,545	40 km
2018	UNNAMED	4,007	36 km
2010	COMP 222-223-224	3,745	41 km
2016	MSNXR FY16 RX 1703B	3,633	84 km
1988	UNNAMED	3,616	78 km
1990	UNNAMED	3,605	83 km
2002	UNNAMED	3,593	77 km
2017	UNNAMED	3,547	25 km
1987	10 NOVEMBER	3,301	84 km
2017	UNNAMED	3,053	79 km
2010	BIEN 1-4	2,983	25 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,935	40 km
2014	UNNAMED	2,887	71 km
2020	TOMBIGBEE COMP 54/55/56	2,846	79 km
2021	BIENVILLE CPT 1-4	2,761	25 km
2022	TOMBIGBEE BB 54 55 56	2,736	79 km
2022	BIENVILLE CPT 203/205	2,731	69 km
1995	16	2,482	85 km
2019	UNNAMED	2,436	29 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	45°F (7°C)	5.6 in	Coldest
February	47°F (8°C)	5.0 in
March	55°F (13°C)	6.1 in	Wettest
April	62°F (17°C)	5.6 in
May	70°F (21°C)	5.0 in
June	77°F (25°C)	3.4 in
July	81°F (27°C)	4.8 in	Warmest
August	79°F (26°C)	3.5 in
September	74°F (24°C)	3.3 in	Driest
October	63°F (17°C)	3.4 in
November	54°F (12°C)	4.9 in
December	47°F (8°C)	6.0 in

Carthage has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 45°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 56.6 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.1") and September the driest (3.3").

View full profile of Carthage, MS →