Weather & Climate in Charleston, AR

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

Charleston enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. The area gets 310 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 47.3 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 2.9 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 500 feet.

Temperature

40°F Jan (5°C) 83°F Jul (28°C)

Annual Average	62.4°F
	16% above US avg
January Average	40°F (5°C)
July Average	83°F (28°C)
Sunny Days	310 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	500 ft (152 m)
Area	4.4 sq mi (11.4 km²)
Population Density	682/sq mi
Coordinates	35.2945°N, 94.0484°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Sebastian County County
Nearest Airport	Fort Smith Regional (FSM) 20 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 47.3"

25% above US avg

Snowfall 2.9"

Wettest Month (May) 5.67"

Driest Month (Jan) 2.60"

Air Quality

AQI Median	43.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	86.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability	48.9 / 100
Community Resilience	38.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

101 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.7.

Aug 24, 2021	1 km S of Quinton, Oklahoma	M3.7	122 km	7 km
Aug 18, 2019	1 km ENE of Quinton, Oklahoma	M3.7	120 km	6 km
Nov 15, 1990	16 km NNW of Hector, Arkansas	M3.5	97 km	29 km
Mar 9, 2011	1 km NW of Greenbrier, Arkansas	M3.5	150 km	6 km
May 24, 2013	16 km WSW of Center Ridge, Arkansas	M3.4	121 km	6 km
May 22, 2013	16 km WSW of Center Ridge, Arkansas	M3.4	121 km	5 km
Jun 27, 2000	15 km WSW of Marshall, Arkansas	M3.4	129 km	0 km
Aug 22, 2021	3 km ESE of Quinton, Oklahoma	M3.4	119 km	7 km
Mar 16, 1997	6 km SSE of Amity, Arkansas	M3.4	133 km	5 km
Jul 22, 2021	2 km E of Quinton, Oklahoma	M3.3	119 km	8 km
Mar 22, 2011	2 km NW of Greenbrier, Arkansas	M3.3	150 km	6 km
Feb 7, 2020	2 km SSW of Quinton, Oklahoma	M3.2	123 km	6 km
Feb 7, 2020	3 km SSW of Quinton, Oklahoma	M3.2	124 km	6 km
Aug 4, 2001	16 km SW of Lake Hamilton, Arkansas	M3.2	130 km	0 km
Aug 12, 2019	1 km NE of Quinton, Oklahoma	M3.2	120 km	5 km
Jun 3, 2022	10 km W of Quinton, Oklahoma	M3.2	132 km	13 km
Mar 14, 2022	12 km E of Crowder, Oklahoma	M3.1	137 km	8 km
Apr 1, 2020	2 km NE of Quinton, Oklahoma	M3.1	120 km	9 km
Mar 17, 2011	1 km NW of Greenbrier, Arkansas	M3.0	150 km	5 km
Apr 16, 2011	9 km WSW of Center Ridge, Arkansas	M3.0	125 km	3 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

436 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 69 fatalities, 1,040 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Mar 26, 1976	EF5	60 km	11.9 mi	2
May 24, 2011	EF4	9 km	45.7 mi	4
Feb 5, 2008	EF4	92 km	121.8 mi	13
Apr 19, 1968	EF4	23 km	2.0 mi	14
May 5, 1960	EF4	47 km	5.4 mi	5
Jan 22, 1957	EF4	59 km	0.1 mi	10
Mar 30, 2022	EF3	93 km	5.2 mi	0
May 24, 2011	EF3	49 km	29.0 mi	1
Dec 31, 2010	EF3	91 km	21.1 mi	4
Apr 9, 2009	EF3	87 km	14.8 mi	3
May 4, 1999	EF3	55 km	38.2 mi	0
Apr 21, 1996	EF3	59 km	15.0 mi	2
Apr 21, 1996	EF3	38 km	10.1 mi	2
Nov 22, 1983	EF3	89 km	19.0 mi	0
Dec 2, 1982	EF3	26 km	1.0 mi	0
Apr 7, 1980	EF3	53 km	3.6 mi	0
Apr 7, 1980	EF3	49 km	0.5 mi	0
Mar 26, 1976	EF3	63 km	16.1 mi	0
Jun 6, 1974	EF3	63 km	11.7 mi	0
Jun 11, 1970	EF3	78 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	7 km
2007	UNNAMED	14,993	77 km
2007	UNNAMED	14,774	49 km
1998	UNNAMED	13,929	8 km
2016	WEST CAVANAL FIRE	13,100	71 km
2016	UNNAMED	11,929	8 km
2024	RX FOUCHE VALLEY	10,912	57 km
2007	UNNAMED	10,593	58 km
2003	UNNAMED	9,749	74 km
2016	UNNAMED	9,483	51 km
2013	UNNAMED	9,385	37 km
2014	UNNAMED	9,368	76 km
2021	BILLY CREEK	9,236	89 km
2010	W72 BLOOD SPRINGS	8,674	85 km
2013	UNNAMED	8,607	99 km
2017	MIDDLE RIDGE	8,501	61 km
2006	NO MANS LAND	8,250	98 km
2014	UNNAMED	7,945	35 km
2016	UNNAMED	7,919	57 km
2013	UNNAMED	7,804	57 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	40°F (5°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)	4.4 in
May	68°F (20°C)	5.7 in	Wettest
June	76°F (24°C)	4.4 in
July	83°F (28°C)	3.5 in	Warmest
August	80°F (27°C)	2.9 in
September	73°F (23°C)	4.3 in
October	62°F (17°C)	4.2 in
November	50°F (10°C)	4.6 in
December	41°F (5°C)	3.8 in

Charleston has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 40°F in January to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.6 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.7") and January the driest (2.6").

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