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Weather & Climate in Charleston, MS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Charleston enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 82°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 56.7 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 214 feet.
Temperature
41°F Jan (5°C)
82°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 62.5°F |
| 16% above US avg | |
| January Average | 41°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 82°F (28°C) |
| Sunny Days | 301 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 214 ft (65 m) |
| Area | 1.4 sq mi (3.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,692/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.0077°N, 90.0552°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Quitman County County |
| Nearest Airport | Memphis International (MEM) 72 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 18.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 98.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 26.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
15 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.9.
| Oct 29, 2012 | 8 km SW of Parkin, Arkansas | M3.9 | 143 km | 21 km |
| Jan 8, 2019 | 8 km WNW of Hollandale, Mississippi | M3.7 | 121 km | 16 km |
| Aug 11, 1996 | 9 km WSW of Shaw, Mississippi | M3.1 | 90 km | 10 km |
| Oct 26, 2002 | 3 km SE of Alligator, Mississippi | M3.1 | 60 km | 3 km |
| May 10, 2008 | 1 km SSE of Sherman, Mississippi | M3.1 | 119 km | 0 km |
| Aug 11, 2002 | 8 km ESE of Darling, Mississippi | M2.8 | 39 km | 4 km |
| Feb 25, 1999 | 10 km NE of Oakland, Mississippi | M2.8 | 23 km | 5 km |
| Feb 11, 1991 | 10 km SSW of Clarksdale, Mississippi | M2.7 | 51 km | 12 km |
| Jan 3, 1993 | 4 km SW of Sunset, Arkansas | M2.7 | 133 km | 17 km |
| Apr 11, 1996 | 9 km ENE of Biscoe, Arkansas | M2.6 | 149 km | 7 km |
| Oct 2, 1995 | 9 km ENE of Clarkedale, Arkansas | M2.6 | 148 km | 8 km |
| Jun 25, 2016 | 2 km SSE of Jericho, Arkansas | M2.5 | 140 km | 8 km |
| Oct 20, 1999 | 8 km NE of Clarendon, Arkansas | M2.5 | 139 km | 9 km |
| Sep 2, 2013 | 0 km SW of Jericho, Arkansas | M2.5 | 143 km | 12 km |
| Nov 9, 2009 | 3 km SE of Marion, Arkansas | M2.5 | 132 km | 7 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
1 hurricane (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 1.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2005 | Katrina | Category 1 | — | 242 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
414 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 72 fatalities, 674 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Dec 23, 2015 | EF4 | 73 km | 75.1 mi | 9 |
| Mar 24, 2023 | EF3 | 78 km | 29.4 mi | 3 |
| Dec 23, 2015 | EF3 | 60 km | 61.6 mi | 2 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 50 km | 13.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 89 km | 70.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 76 km | 51.5 mi | 4 |
| Feb 5, 2008 | EF3 | 66 km | 7.2 mi | 0 |
| Feb 24, 2001 | EF3 | 65 km | 52.0 mi | 6 |
| Feb 24, 2001 | EF3 | 59 km | 22.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 3, 2000 | EF3 | 50 km | 43.2 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 1997 | EF3 | 95 km | 20.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF3 | 66 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF3 | 58 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF3 | 81 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 21, 1990 | EF3 | 93 km | 20.0 mi | 1 |
| Dec 21, 1990 | EF3 | 30 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Nov 19, 1988 | EF3 | 45 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1984 | EF3 | 74 km | 71.0 mi | 15 |
| Apr 24, 1976 | EF3 | 65 km | 24.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 20, 1976 | EF3 | 93 km | 49.4 mi | 1 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: COMP 109 (3,663 acres, 2010).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2010 | COMP 109 | 3,663 | 74 km |
| 2022 | HOLLY SPRINGS BB 119/90/88 | 2,955 | 80 km |
| 2014 | C-84 BAGLEY BOTTOMS | 2,766 | 79 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,645 | 75 km |
| 2013 | MIDWAY CEM PRESCRIBED BURN | 2,513 | 82 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,376 | 30 km |
| 2013 | PUSKUS LAKE | 2,271 | 80 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,248 | 97 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,073 | 80 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 1,972 | 98 km |
| 2014 | C-109 | 1,863 | 77 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 1,841 | 77 km |
| 2024 | HOLLY SPRINGS IU 130-1 RX | 1,839 | 30 km |
| 2021 | HOLLY SPRINGS - BB 123 124 | 1,761 | 24 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 1,760 | 24 km |
| 2010 | COMP 139 | 1,671 | 24 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 1,668 | 97 km |
| 2010 | COMP 104 | 1,629 | 81 km |
| 2010 | COMP 117 | 1,514 | 74 km |
| 2014 | C-117 YELLOW LEAF CREEK | 1,512 | 74 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 41°F (5°C) | 4.8 in | Coldest |
| February | 45°F (7°C) | 4.7 in | |
| March | 54°F (12°C) | 5.9 in | Wettest |
| April | 62°F (16°C) | 5.4 in | |
| May | 70°F (21°C) | 5.3 in | |
| June | 77°F (25°C) | 4.6 in | |
| July | 82°F (28°C) | 4.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 80°F (26°C) | 2.9 in | Driest |
| September | 74°F (23°C) | 3.3 in | |
| October | 63°F (17°C) | 3.4 in | |
| November | 53°F (11°C) | 5.5 in | |
| December | 44°F (7°C) | 5.7 in |
Charleston has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 41°F in January to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 55.6 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.9") and August the driest (2.9").