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Weather & Climate in Cotton Valley, LA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Cotton Valley enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F (19°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 84°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 57.6 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42. The city sits at an elevation of 220 feet.
Temperature
46°F Jan (8°C)
84°F Jul (29°C)
| Annual Average | 65.3°F |
| 21% above US avg | |
| January Average | 46°F (8°C) |
| July Average | 84°F (29°C) |
| Sunny Days | 304 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 220 ft (67 m) |
| Area | 1.0 sq mi (2.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 270/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 32.8134°N, 93.4231°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Webster Parish County |
| Nearest Airport | Shreveport Regional (SHV) 35 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 42.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 69.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 92.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 22.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
37 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.8.
| May 17, 2012 | 3 km NE of Timpson, Texas | M4.8 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Sep 2, 2013 | 3 km WNW of Timpson, Texas | M4.3 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Sep 2, 2013 | 14 km WNW of Timpson, Texas | M4.2 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Jan 25, 2013 | 11 km SE of Timpson, Texas | M4.1 | 136 km | 5 km |
| May 10, 2012 | 9 km NW of Timpson, Texas | M3.9 | 136 km | 7 km |
| Jan 27, 2024 | 4 km SSW of Hall Summit, Louisiana | M3.6 | 75 km | 9 km |
| Jan 18, 2025 | 0 km WSW of Mooringsport, Louisiana | M3.5 | 53 km | 5 km |
| Jun 10, 1994 | 4 km E of Junction City, Arkansas | M3.2 | 74 km | 5 km |
| Apr 16, 2021 | 8 km WNW of Blanchard, Louisiana | M3.2 | 57 km | 5 km |
| Aug 22, 2025 | 5 km WSW of Huxley, Texas | M3.2 | 128 km | 9 km |
| Aug 21, 2025 | 8 km W of Huxley, Texas | M3.0 | 128 km | 7 km |
| Mar 3, 2001 | 2 km SSE of El Dorado, Arkansas | M3.0 | 83 km | 5 km |
| Apr 1, 2021 | 7 km W of Blanchard, Louisiana | M3.0 | 57 km | 5 km |
| May 16, 2007 | 5 km SW of Calion, Arkansas | M3.0 | 95 km | 5 km |
| Jan 6, 2025 | 4 km ESE of Mooringsport, Louisiana | M3.0 | 49 km | 9 km |
| May 31, 2013 | 7 km SE of Timpson, Texas | M2.9 | 136 km | 5 km |
| Jan 29, 2013 | 4 km S of Timpson, Texas | M2.8 | 139 km | 5 km |
| Dec 17, 2001 | 3 km WSW of El Dorado, Arkansas | M2.8 | 80 km | 10 km |
| Dec 7, 2012 | 3 km S of Timpson, Texas | M2.8 | 139 km | 5 km |
| Jan 9, 2024 | 1 km S of Edgefield, Louisiana | M2.8 | 87 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
4 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 3.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2020 | Laura | Category 3 | 98 mph | 95 km |
| 2008 | Ike | Category 2 | 98 mph | 268 km |
| 2007 | Humberto | Category 1 | 75 mph | 280 km |
| 2005 | Rita | Category 1 | 75 mph | 265 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
666 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 47 fatalities, 729 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 3, 1999 | EF4 | 49 km | 19.3 mi | 7 |
| Dec 3, 1978 | EF4 | 46 km | 6.2 mi | 2 |
| Dec 19, 1957 | EF4 | 62 km | 17.7 mi | 2 |
| Dec 13, 2022 | EF3 | 89 km | 9.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 2019 | EF3 | 78 km | 11.2 mi | 2 |
| Jan 20, 2010 | EF3 | 79 km | 15.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 9, 2009 | EF3 | 63 km | 9.9 mi | 0 |
| Feb 24, 2007 | EF3 | 69 km | 26.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 12, 2005 | EF3 | 69 km | 24.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 23, 2000 | EF3 | 94 km | 19.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 23, 2000 | EF3 | 73 km | 32.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 23, 2000 | EF3 | 93 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 1999 | EF3 | 52 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1999 | EF3 | 40 km | 8.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1999 | EF3 | 52 km | 14.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF3 | 97 km | 18.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 3, 1992 | EF3 | 51 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 23, 1985 | EF3 | 45 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 1984 | EF3 | 82 km | 61.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 19, 1983 | EF3 | 74 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: NORTHEAST TEXAS FIRE COMPLEX (41,645 acres, 2011).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2011 | NORTHEAST TEXAS FIRE COMPLEX | 41,645 | 95 km |
| 2011 | TD13 | 4,208 | 90 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 3,408 | 100 km |
| 2022 | TXCLR-FY22-RX-W | 3,288 | 69 km |
| 2021 | WINN 13 17 18 | 2,683 | 93 km |
| 2022 | CANEY C 11-14 | 2,323 | 47 km |
| 2011 | 592 | 2,278 | 61 km |
| 2011 | PETERS CHAPEL | 2,072 | 81 km |
| 2015 | COMPARTMENT 22 PBURN | 1,956 | 95 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 1,838 | 96 km |
| 2018 | C-13/17/18 | 1,837 | 93 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 1,756 | 20 km |
| 1996 | 007 CORNEY LAKE BED | 1,716 | 64 km |
| 2022 | WINN C-30 31 | 1,679 | 96 km |
| 2024 | RX C-22 | 1,623 | 95 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,618 | 41 km |
| 2017 | COMPARTMENT 20 P BURN | 1,605 | 96 km |
| 2011 | MARSHALL | 1,583 | 81 km |
| 2018 | C-25 26 27 | 1,565 | 21 km |
| 2010 | COMPARTMENT 5 PBURN | 1,541 | 90 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 46°F (8°C) | 4.3 in | Coldest |
| February | 48°F (9°C) | 4.5 in | |
| March | 56°F (13°C) | 4.6 in | |
| April | 63°F (17°C) | 4.1 in | |
| May | 71°F (21°C) | 5.0 in | Wettest |
| June | 78°F (25°C) | 4.4 in | |
| July | 84°F (29°C) | 4.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 81°F (27°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| September | 75°F (24°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 64°F (18°C) | 3.9 in | |
| November | 54°F (12°C) | 5.0 in | |
| December | 47°F (8°C) | 4.7 in |
Cotton Valley has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 46°F in January to 84°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 51.0 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.0") and August the driest (3.0").