Weather & Climate in Decatur, AR

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

Decatur enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. The area gets 305 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 48.6 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 12.5 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 1,186 feet.

Temperature

39°F Jan (4°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)

Annual Average	60.5°F
	12% above US avg
January Average	39°F (4°C)
July Average	81°F (27°C)
Sunny Days	305 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,186 ft (361 m)
Area	4.5 sq mi (11.7 km²)
Population Density	319/sq mi
Coordinates	36.3485°N, 94.4580°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Benton County County
Nearest Airport	Northwest Arkansas Ntl (XNA) 10 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 48.6"

28% above US avg

Snowfall 12.5"

Wettest Month (May) 5.08"

Driest Month (Jan) 2.01"

Air Quality

AQI Median	43.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	88.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability	17.0 / 100
Community Resilience	43.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

11 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.6.

Jun 11, 2017	6 km NNE of Bergman, Arkansas	M3.6	132 km	6 km
Jun 16, 2017	6 km N of Bergman, Arkansas	M2.9	131 km	6 km
Mar 23, 2024	9 km SE of Foyil, Oklahoma	M2.8	89 km	5 km
Jan 14, 2016	7 km W of Talala, Oklahoma	M2.7	120 km	5 km
Apr 3, 2016	Arkansas-Oklahoma border region	M2.7	88 km	5 km
Sep 3, 2015	6 km WSW of Vera, Oklahoma	M2.6	134 km	5 km
May 21, 2010	2 km SW of Centerton, Arkansas	M2.6	14 km	1 km
Jun 21, 2017	6 km N of Bergman, Arkansas	M2.5	131 km	5 km
May 13, 2015	8 km E of Lead Hill, Arkansas	M2.5	147 km	0 km
Apr 29, 2010	3 km SW of Centerton, Arkansas	M2.5	13 km	0 km
Aug 11, 2011	11 km WSW of Jasper, Arkansas	M2.5	111 km	4 km

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

Tornado History

668 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 215 fatalities, 2,208 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 22, 2011	EF5	79 km	21.6 mi	158
May 10, 2008	EF4	95 km	75.5 mi	21
Apr 24, 1975	EF4	55 km	11.9 mi	3
Sep 27, 1959	EF4	90 km	20.4 mi	1
Apr 3, 1956	EF4	66 km	41.8 mi	0
May 25, 2024	EF3	15 km	7.9 mi	0
Mar 30, 2022	EF3	37 km	5.2 mi	0
May 22, 2019	EF3	86 km	9.2 mi	0
May 22, 2011	EF3	42 km	17.9 mi	0
Dec 31, 2010	EF3	40 km	21.1 mi	4
Mar 12, 2006	EF3	22 km	25.0 mi	0
Mar 12, 2006	EF3	64 km	29.0 mi	0
Mar 12, 2006	EF3	92 km	42.0 mi	1
May 4, 2003	EF3	68 km	49.0 mi	7
May 4, 2003	EF3	92 km	25.0 mi	5
Jun 1, 1999	EF3	83 km	2.0 mi	2
May 4, 1999	EF3	87 km	38.2 mi	0
Apr 21, 1996	EF3	89 km	15.0 mi	2
Nov 22, 1983	EF3	61 km	19.0 mi	0
Dec 2, 1982	EF3	99 km	1.0 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	94 km
2007	UNNAMED	14,774	88 km
2004	UNNAMED	12,086	99 km
2017	MIDDLE RIDGE	8,501	87 km
2016	UNNAMED	7,919	95 km
2013	UNNAMED	7,804	95 km
2003	UNNAMED	7,415	85 km
2019	UNNAMED	7,344	95 km
2007	UNNAMED	6,657	86 km
2017	HILLTOP	6,523	94 km
2010	SPUD ROCK CENTRAL	6,117	84 km
2009	TELAMAY HOLLOW	5,686	49 km
2006	UNNAMED	5,537	89 km
2017	PERSIMMON RIDGE	5,333	96 km
2009	SAWMILL HOLLOW	5,166	47 km
2011	GRUBER	4,831	94 km
2017	UNNAMED	4,818	92 km
1992	UNNAMED	4,546	38 km
2005	FLAT ROCK	4,472	80 km
2021	ALEXANDER MOUNTAIN BLOCKS 1 2 5	4,214	86 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	39°F (4°C)	2.0 in	Driest
February	40°F (4°C)	2.3 in
March	48°F (9°C)	4.1 in
April	57°F (14°C)	4.4 in
May	65°F (18°C)	5.1 in	Wettest
June	73°F (23°C)	4.8 in
July	81°F (27°C)	3.1 in	Warmest
August	77°F (25°C)	3.5 in
September	70°F (21°C)	5.0 in
October	59°F (15°C)	3.9 in
November	47°F (9°C)	4.3 in
December	38°F (3°C)	3.0 in	Coldest

Decatur has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 38°F in December to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 45.5 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.1") and January the driest (2.0").

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