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Weather & Climate in Chidester, AR
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Chidester enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 42°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 56.6 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 2.6 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 265 feet.
Temperature
42°F Jan (5°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 61.9°F |
| 15% above US avg | |
| January Average | 42°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 304 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 265 ft (81 m) |
| Area | 5.3 sq mi (13.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 65/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 33.7019°N, 93.0238°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Nevada County County |
| Nearest Airport | South Arkansas Regional At Goodwin Field (ELD) 35 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 30.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 98.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 15.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
19 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.5.
| Jan 18, 2025 | 0 km WSW of Mooringsport, Louisiana | M3.5 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Mar 16, 1997 | 6 km SSE of Amity, Arkansas | M3.4 | 68 km | 5 km |
| Aug 4, 2001 | 16 km SW of Lake Hamilton, Arkansas | M3.2 | 73 km | 0 km |
| Jun 10, 1994 | 4 km E of Junction City, Arkansas | M3.2 | 83 km | 5 km |
| Jan 6, 2025 | 4 km ESE of Mooringsport, Louisiana | M3.0 | 142 km | 9 km |
| May 16, 2007 | 5 km SW of Calion, Arkansas | M3.0 | 60 km | 5 km |
| Mar 3, 2001 | 2 km SSE of El Dorado, Arkansas | M3.0 | 66 km | 5 km |
| Jul 28, 1990 | 18 km W of Mountain Pine, Arkansas | M2.9 | 105 km | 4 km |
| Jan 9, 1997 | 6 km E of El Dorado, Arkansas | M2.8 | 68 km | 5 km |
| Dec 17, 2001 | 3 km WSW of El Dorado, Arkansas | M2.8 | 63 km | 10 km |
| Feb 24, 2020 | 12 km ENE of Junction City, Arkansas | M2.8 | 81 km | 14 km |
| May 11, 2020 | 13 km SSE of El Dorado, Arkansas | M2.8 | 78 km | 12 km |
| Apr 26, 2024 | 8 km SSE of Doyline, Louisiana | M2.7 | 142 km | 5 km |
| Oct 18, 2009 | 9 km SE of Redfield, Arkansas | M2.6 | 114 km | 29 km |
| Dec 24, 1997 | 7 km W of El Dorado, Arkansas | M2.6 | 61 km | 5 km |
| Nov 11, 1998 | 22 km NW of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas | M2.6 | 124 km | 5 km |
| Sep 22, 2001 | 17 km SSE of Plainview, Arkansas | M2.6 | 128 km | 5 km |
| Jan 12, 2017 | 9 km E of Leola, Arkansas | M2.6 | 72 km | 10 km |
| Aug 4, 1991 | 10 km SW of Mountain Pine, Arkansas | M2.5 | 91 km | 2 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 2.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2020 | Laura | Category 2 | 98 mph | 189 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
421 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 38 fatalities, 456 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF4 | 36 km | 27.0 mi | 6 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF4 | 50 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1975 | EF4 | 85 km | 5.4 mi | 7 |
| Dec 19, 1957 | EF4 | 44 km | 17.7 mi | 2 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 99 km | 13.0 mi | 7 |
| Apr 25, 2011 | EF3 | 99 km | 16.8 mi | 1 |
| Feb 24, 2007 | EF3 | 81 km | 26.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 12, 2005 | EF3 | 81 km | 24.0 mi | 2 |
| May 4, 1999 | EF3 | 53 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1999 | EF3 | 99 km | 14.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 5, 1999 | EF3 | 82 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 21, 1999 | EF3 | 44 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 21, 1999 | EF3 | 72 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF3 | 51 km | 18.0 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 1996 | EF3 | 37 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 1996 | EF3 | 42 km | 26.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 9, 1984 | EF3 | 12 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 23, 1982 | EF3 | 98 km | 20.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 3, 1982 | EF3 | 27 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 1982 | EF3 | 52 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: EAST END BEAR MOUNTAIN (4,472 acres, 2022).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2022 | EAST END BEAR MOUNTAIN | 4,472 | 99 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 4,109 | 98 km |
| 2021 | CW CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN | 3,943 | 98 km |
| 2021 | CW SHARP TOP 1 | 3,539 | 94 km |
| 2024 | RX EAST END BEAR MTN | 3,498 | 99 km |
| 2024 | RX SHARP TOP 1 | 3,423 | 94 km |
| 2024 | RX CRYSTAL MTN CHARLTON EASTERN 1 NORTH | 3,218 | 98 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 2,925 | 100 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 2,864 | 95 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 2,778 | 100 km |
| 2022 | CANEY C 11-14 | 2,323 | 88 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 2,066 | 77 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 2,059 | 88 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 2,042 | 96 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 1,996 | 96 km |
| 1996 | 007 CORNEY LAKE BED | 1,716 | 91 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 1,667 | 100 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 1,649 | 72 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 1,634 | 86 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,618 | 90 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 42°F (5°C) | 3.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 46°F (8°C) | 4.0 in | |
| March | 54°F (12°C) | 4.9 in | |
| April | 62°F (17°C) | 4.8 in | |
| May | 70°F (21°C) | 5.3 in | Wettest |
| June | 77°F (25°C) | 4.2 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 4.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 80°F (27°C) | 3.3 in | Driest |
| September | 74°F (23°C) | 4.0 in | |
| October | 63°F (17°C) | 4.1 in | |
| November | 52°F (11°C) | 5.2 in | |
| December | 44°F (7°C) | 5.1 in |
Chidester has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 42°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 52.7 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.3") and August the driest (3.3").