Weather & Climate in Chester, AR

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

Chester enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 80°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 53.4 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 3.1 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 886 feet.

Temperature

38°F Jan (3°C) 80°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	59.0°F
	9% above US avg
January Average	38°F (3°C)
July Average	80°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	886 ft (270 m)
Area	0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²)
Population Density	206/sq mi
Coordinates	35.6778°N, 94.1778°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Crawford County County
Nearest Airport	Fort Smith Regional (FSM) 29 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 53.4"

41% above US avg

Snowfall 3.1"

Wettest Month (May) 5.87"

Driest Month (Jan) 2.48"

Air Quality

AQI Median	43.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	71.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	38.3 / 100
Community Resilience	26.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Hurricane	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Relatively Moderate
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 Moderate
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Relatively Moderate

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

Earthquake History

82 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	125 km	7 km
Aug 18, 2019	1 km ENE of Quinton, Oklahoma	M3.7	123 km	6 km
Jun 11, 2017	6 km NNE of Bergman, Arkansas	M3.6	132 km	6 km
Nov 15, 1990	16 km NNW of Hector, Arkansas	M3.5	103 km	29 km
May 24, 2013	16 km WSW of Center Ridge, Arkansas	M3.4	139 km	6 km
May 22, 2013	16 km WSW of Center Ridge, Arkansas	M3.4	139 km	5 km
Aug 22, 2021	3 km ESE of Quinton, Oklahoma	M3.4	122 km	7 km
Jun 27, 2000	15 km WSW of Marshall, Arkansas	M3.4	127 km	0 km
Jul 22, 2021	2 km E of Quinton, Oklahoma	M3.3	122 km	8 km
Feb 7, 2020	2 km SSW of Quinton, Oklahoma	M3.2	127 km	6 km
Feb 7, 2020	3 km SSW of Quinton, Oklahoma	M3.2	127 km	6 km
Aug 12, 2019	1 km NE of Quinton, Oklahoma	M3.2	123 km	5 km
Jun 3, 2022	10 km W of Quinton, Oklahoma	M3.2	134 km	13 km
Mar 14, 2022	12 km E of Crowder, Oklahoma	M3.1	139 km	8 km
Apr 1, 2020	2 km NE of Quinton, Oklahoma	M3.1	122 km	9 km
Apr 16, 2011	9 km WSW of Center Ridge, Arkansas	M3.0	142 km	3 km
Jul 28, 1990	18 km W of Mountain Pine, Arkansas	M2.9	140 km	4 km
Jun 16, 2017	6 km N of Bergman, Arkansas	M2.9	132 km	6 km
Sep 21, 2019	2 km NNE of Quinton, Oklahoma	M2.9	123 km	7 km
Feb 3, 2021	1 km SW of Quinton, Oklahoma	M2.9	126 km	7 km

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

Tornado History

525 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 53 fatalities, 941 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Mar 26, 1976	EF5	71 km	11.9 mi	2
May 24, 2011	EF4	49 km	45.7 mi	4
Apr 19, 1968	EF4	54 km	2.0 mi	14
May 5, 1960	EF4	47 km	5.4 mi	5
Jan 22, 1957	EF4	55 km	0.1 mi	10
May 25, 2024	EF3	80 km	7.9 mi	0
Mar 30, 2022	EF3	49 km	5.2 mi	0
May 24, 2011	EF3	65 km	29.0 mi	1
Dec 31, 2010	EF3	50 km	21.1 mi	4
Mar 12, 2006	EF3	75 km	25.0 mi	0
Mar 12, 2006	EF3	95 km	29.0 mi	0
May 4, 1999	EF3	36 km	38.2 mi	0
Apr 21, 1996	EF3	38 km	15.0 mi	2
Apr 21, 1996	EF3	41 km	10.1 mi	2
Nov 22, 1983	EF3	55 km	19.0 mi	0
Dec 2, 1982	EF3	23 km	1.0 mi	0
Apr 19, 1981	EF3	87 km	3.0 mi	0
Apr 7, 1980	EF3	70 km	0.5 mi	0
Apr 7, 1980	EF3	66 km	3.6 mi	0
Mar 26, 1976	EF3	98 km	16.1 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (18,089 acres, 2007).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2007	UNNAMED	18,089	87 km
2000	UNNAMED	15,318	50 km
2007	UNNAMED	14,993	76 km
2007	UNNAMED	14,774	28 km
1998	UNNAMED	13,929	50 km
2016	WEST CAVANAL FIRE	13,100	88 km
2004	UNNAMED	12,086	90 km
2016	UNNAMED	11,929	50 km
2024	RX FOUCHE VALLEY	10,912	97 km
2007	UNNAMED	10,593	96 km
2016	UNNAMED	9,483	95 km
2013	UNNAMED	9,385	82 km
2014	UNNAMED	9,368	75 km
2017	MIDDLE RIDGE	8,501	42 km
2014	UNNAMED	7,945	80 km
2016	UNNAMED	7,919	41 km
2013	UNNAMED	7,804	41 km
2003	UNNAMED	7,415	17 km
2019	UNNAMED	7,344	41 km
2022	RIVER ROAD	6,722	98 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	38°F (3°C)	2.5 in	Coldest, Driest
February	41°F (5°C)	3.0 in
March	50°F (10°C)	4.7 in
April	58°F (14°C)	4.7 in
May	65°F (18°C)	5.9 in	Wettest
June	73°F (23°C)	4.4 in
July	80°F (26°C)	3.4 in	Warmest
August	77°F (25°C)	3.5 in
September	70°F (21°C)	4.8 in
October	59°F (15°C)	4.5 in
November	48°F (9°C)	4.5 in
December	39°F (4°C)	3.5 in

Chester has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 38°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 49.3 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.9") and January the driest (2.5").

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