Weather & Climate in Decatur, MS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Decatur enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 45°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 58.2 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 404 feet.
Temperature
45°F Jan (7°C)
80°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 63.2°F |
| 17% above US avg | |
| January Average | 45°F (7°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (26°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 404 ft (123 m) |
| Area | 5.6 sq mi (14.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 368/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 32.4340°N, 89.1112°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Newton County County |
| Nearest Airport | Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International (JAN) 57 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 52.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 94.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 32.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
29 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.7.
| Jul 16, 1993 | 2 km SSW of Silas, Alabama | M3.7 | 105 km | 5 km |
| Jun 30, 2015 | 12 km W of Union, Alabama | M3.5 | 117 km | 0 km |
| Mar 25, 1996 | 11 km NNE of Quitman, Mississippi | M3.5 | 53 km | 5 km |
| May 28, 1995 | 14 km WSW of Coker, Alabama | M3.4 | 147 km | 1 km |
| Jun 24, 1998 | 11 km W of Demopolis, Alabama | M3.4 | 109 km | 5 km |
| Mar 22, 2005 | 9 km NNE of Coffeeville, Alabama | M3.3 | 119 km | 5 km |
| May 3, 2015 | 7 km SSW of Canton, Mississippi | M3.2 | 92 km | 5 km |
| Jun 29, 2015 | 6 km SSW of Canton, Mississippi | M3.2 | 91 km | 5 km |
| Mar 12, 2015 | 14 km W of Union, Alabama | M3.1 | 115 km | 0 km |
| May 16, 2008 | 10 km W of Coffeeville, Alabama | M3.1 | 113 km | 5 km |
| Feb 27, 2015 | 11 km WSW of Union, Alabama | M3.1 | 117 km | 0 km |
| May 21, 2002 | 7 km ESE of York, Alabama | M3.0 | 84 km | 27 km |
| Mar 15, 2025 | 5 km NNE of Magee, Mississippi | M3.0 | 80 km | 10 km |
| May 3, 2015 | 8 km WSW of Canton, Mississippi | M3.0 | 95 km | 5 km |
| May 7, 1998 | 9 km SSE of Bellamy, Alabama | M2.8 | 94 km | 10 km |
| Aug 9, 2019 | Mississippi | M2.8 | 87 km | 5 km |
| Feb 19, 2015 | 14 km W of Union, Alabama | M2.8 | 115 km | 0 km |
| Aug 13, 2015 | 9 km WSW of Union, Alabama | M2.7 | 118 km | 1 km |
| Feb 19, 2015 | 13 km W of Union, Alabama | M2.7 | 118 km | 0 km |
| Jun 6, 2015 | 9 km W of Union, Alabama | M2.7 | 119 km | 1 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
12 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 3.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2021 | Ida | Category 3 | 121 mph | 259 km |
| 2020 | Sally | Category 2 | 109 mph | 243 km |
| 2020 | Zeta | Category 2 | 98 mph | 117 km |
| 2017 | Nate | Category 1 | 75 mph | 226 km |
| 2005 | Dennis | Category 3 | 127 mph | 250 km |
| 2005 | Katrina | Category 3 | 121 mph | 65 km |
| 2004 | Ivan | Category 3 | 121 mph | 176 km |
| 1998 | Georges | Category 2 | 104 mph | 205 km |
| 1997 | Danny | Category 1 | 81 mph | 254 km |
| 1995 | Opal | Category 3 | 115 mph | 248 km |
| 1995 | Erin | Category 2 | 98 mph | 255 km |
| 1985 | Elena | Category 3 | 115 mph | 204 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
808 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 56 fatalities, 798 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF5 | 41 km | 28.3 mi | 3 |
| Apr 28, 2014 | EF4 | 58 km | 33.4 mi | 10 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 58 km | 122.0 mi | 7 |
| Nov 22, 1992 | EF4 | 76 km | 40.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 19, 1988 | EF4 | 91 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 1986 | EF4 | 32 km | 23.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 23, 1977 | EF4 | 66 km | 15.0 mi | 2 |
| Dec 2, 1967 | EF4 | 34 km | 7.6 mi | 2 |
| Mar 11, 1963 | EF4 | 96 km | 45.2 mi | 2 |
| May 1, 1953 | EF4 | 72 km | 0.1 mi | 2 |
| Jun 18, 2023 | EF3 | 49 km | 6.5 mi | 1 |
| Mar 22, 2022 | EF3 | 27 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| Dec 16, 2019 | EF3 | 89 km | 18.6 mi | 0 |
| Dec 16, 2019 | EF3 | 85 km | 61.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2014 | EF3 | 77 km | 10.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2014 | EF3 | 33 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 11, 2013 | EF3 | 32 km | 66.4 mi | 1 |
| Oct 17, 2012 | EF3 | 32 km | 14.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 64 km | 8.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 18 km | 10.3 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (5,062 acres, 2005).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 5,062 | 98 km |
| 2014 | BIEN 75-78 | 4,658 | 43 km |
| 2021 | BIENVILLE - CPT 38-39-40 | 4,545 | 47 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 4,500 | 100 km |
| 2010 | CPT 341 | 4,101 | 95 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 4,007 | 46 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 3,956 | 98 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 3,794 | 98 km |
| 2010 | COMP 222-223-224 | 3,745 | 41 km |
| 2016 | MSNXR FY16 RX 1703B | 3,633 | 92 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 3,616 | 90 km |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 3,605 | 90 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 3,593 | 89 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 3,556 | 93 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 3,547 | 53 km |
| 2010 | CPT 393 | 3,474 | 100 km |
| 2010 | CPT 343 | 3,474 | 94 km |
| 1987 | 10 NOVEMBER | 3,301 | 92 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 3,229 | 99 km |
| 2010 | CPT 389 | 3,200 | 98 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 45°F (7°C) | 5.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 49°F (10°C) | 5.5 in | |
| March | 56°F (13°C) | 5.6 in | |
| April | 63°F (17°C) | 6.2 in | Wettest |
| May | 71°F (21°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 77°F (25°C) | 4.7 in | |
| July | 80°F (26°C) | 5.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 4.6 in | |
| September | 74°F (23°C) | 3.2 in | Driest |
| October | 64°F (18°C) | 3.8 in | |
| November | 53°F (12°C) | 4.4 in | |
| December | 48°F (9°C) | 5.4 in |
Decatur has a seasonal temperature swing of 34°F / from 45°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 58.2 inches, with April being the wettest month (6.2") and September the driest (3.2").