All Countries
Weather & Climate in Desha, AR
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Desha enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°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 50.8 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 2.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 300 feet.
Temperature
38°F Jan (3°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 59.6°F |
| 10% above US avg | |
| January Average | 38°F (3°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 301 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 300 ft (91 m) |
| Area | 2.3 sq mi (5.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 400/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.7305°N, 91.6856°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Independence County County |
| Nearest Airport | Batesville Regional (BVX) 2 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 69.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 56.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 26.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
305 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.7.
| Feb 28, 2011 | 4 km NE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M4.7 | 79 km | 3 km |
| May 4, 2001 | 8 km NNW of Holland, Arkansas | M4.3 | 77 km | 8 km |
| May 1, 2005 | 5 km SSE of Manila, Arkansas | M4.2 | 139 km | 10 km |
| Feb 18, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M4.1 | 81 km | 6 km |
| Feb 10, 2005 | 3 km NNW of Etowah, Arkansas | M4.1 | 130 km | 15 km |
| Apr 8, 2011 | 3 km NE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.9 | 81 km | 6 km |
| Oct 29, 2012 | 8 km SW of Parkin, Arkansas | M3.9 | 112 km | 21 km |
| Oct 21, 1999 | 9 km NW of Maynard, Arkansas | M3.9 | 106 km | 10 km |
| Feb 18, 2011 | 3 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.9 | 81 km | 5 km |
| Aug 22, 2000 | 19 km WNW of Maynard, Arkansas | M3.9 | 98 km | 10 km |
| Jul 7, 1991 | 11 km ENE of Brandsville, Missouri | M3.9 | 107 km | 8 km |
| Jun 4, 2014 | 3 km ESE of Fairfield Bay, Arkansas | M3.8 | 53 km | 0 km |
| Feb 17, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.8 | 79 km | 6 km |
| Sep 17, 1997 | 2 km E of Trumann, Arkansas | M3.8 | 109 km | 0 km |
| Apr 7, 2011 | 2 km NE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.7 | 82 km | 6 km |
| Aug 16, 2003 | 5 km W of Thomasville, Missouri | M3.7 | 118 km | 0 km |
| Sep 12, 2019 | 13 km N of Big Flat, Arkansas | M3.7 | 79 km | 18 km |
| Feb 23, 2013 | 7 km SW of Trumann, Arkansas | M3.7 | 102 km | 14 km |
| Oct 15, 2017 | 6 km SE of Manila, Arkansas | M3.6 | 142 km | 17 km |
| Feb 20, 2011 | 3 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.6 | 82 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
523 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 192 fatalities, 2,179 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 14, 1996 | EF4 | 61 km | 44.0 mi | 7 |
| Mar 15, 1984 | EF4 | 50 km | 26.0 mi | 5 |
| Mar 15, 1984 | EF4 | 71 km | 41.0 mi | 2 |
| Dec 24, 1982 | EF4 | 50 km | 63.0 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 1973 | EF4 | 59 km | 54.8 mi | 3 |
| May 15, 1968 | EF4 | 46 km | 20.9 mi | 35 |
| May 15, 1968 | EF4 | 21 km | 0.3 mi | 7 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 94 km | 7.6 mi | 2 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 90 km | 13.1 mi | 29 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 57 km | 14.6 mi | 50 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 71 km | 0.1 mi | 4 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF3 | 90 km | 72.6 mi | 4 |
| Mar 28, 2020 | EF3 | 91 km | 12.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 30, 2010 | EF3 | 49 km | 7.7 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 2008 | EF3 | 95 km | 45.3 mi | 5 |
| Apr 2, 2006 | EF3 | 84 km | 77.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 2, 2006 | EF3 | 81 km | 38.0 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 2003 | EF3 | 71 km | 43.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 18, 2002 | EF3 | 91 km | 9.8 mi | 1 |
| Mar 5, 1999 | EF3 | 89 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km.
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1811 | AR: NE - NEW MADRID EARTHQUAKES | Eruption + Earthquake | — | — | 117 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: DEAD HORSE (10,389 acres, 2007).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2007 | DEAD HORSE | 10,389 | 83 km |
| 2004 | LOWER WILD | 10,034 | 83 km |
| 2013 | LOWER WILDERNESS RX | 8,699 | 83 km |
| 2021 | SYL BIRMINGHAM | 6,803 | 70 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 4,873 | 70 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 4,493 | 53 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 4,337 | 56 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 3,807 | 70 km |
| 2024 | RX BAD BRANCH 2 | 3,591 | 54 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 3,542 | 70 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 3,441 | 65 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 3,404 | 66 km |
| 2022 | HATLEY MTN | 3,227 | 99 km |
| 2020 | RORIE NORTH | 3,180 | 60 km |
| 2010 | SPRING CREEK SOUTH RX | 2,986 | 74 km |
| 2024 | RX CAP FORK | 2,977 | 68 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 2,913 | 67 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 2,812 | 64 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 2,533 | 57 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 2,455 | 94 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 38°F (3°C) | 2.8 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 42°F (6°C) | 3.4 in | |
| March | 51°F (10°C) | 5.0 in | |
| April | 60°F (15°C) | 4.7 in | |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 5.1 in | Wettest |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 3.3 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 3.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 3.4 in | |
| September | 72°F (22°C) | 4.3 in | |
| October | 61°F (16°C) | 3.7 in | |
| November | 49°F (10°C) | 4.7 in | |
| December | 40°F (5°C) | 4.4 in |
Desha has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 38°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.1") and January the driest (2.8").