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Weather & Climate in Dodson, LA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Dodson enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 47°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. The area gets 299 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 60.8 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 243 feet.
Temperature
47°F Jan (8°C)
82°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 65.2°F |
| 21% above US avg | |
| January Average | 47°F (8°C) |
| July Average | 82°F (28°C) |
| Sunny Days | 299 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 243 ft (74 m) |
| Area | 0.9 sq mi (2.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 104/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 32.0791°N, 92.6586°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Jackson Parish County |
| Nearest Airport | Ruston Regional (RSN) 30 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 42.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 26.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 92.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 38.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
23 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.6.
| Jan 27, 2024 | 4 km SSW of Hall Summit, Louisiana | M3.6 | 63 km | 9 km |
| Jan 18, 2025 | 0 km WSW of Mooringsport, Louisiana | M3.5 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Apr 16, 2021 | 8 km WNW of Blanchard, Louisiana | M3.2 | 137 km | 5 km |
| Aug 22, 2025 | 5 km WSW of Huxley, Texas | M3.2 | 126 km | 9 km |
| Jun 10, 1994 | 4 km E of Junction City, Arkansas | M3.2 | 104 km | 5 km |
| Apr 1, 2021 | 7 km W of Blanchard, Louisiana | M3.0 | 135 km | 5 km |
| Aug 21, 2025 | 8 km W of Huxley, Texas | M3.0 | 129 km | 7 km |
| Jan 6, 2025 | 4 km ESE of Mooringsport, Louisiana | M3.0 | 135 km | 9 km |
| Mar 3, 2001 | 2 km SSE of El Dorado, Arkansas | M3.0 | 124 km | 5 km |
| May 16, 2007 | 5 km SW of Calion, Arkansas | M3.0 | 136 km | 5 km |
| Jan 9, 1997 | 6 km E of El Dorado, Arkansas | M2.8 | 125 km | 5 km |
| Dec 17, 2001 | 3 km WSW of El Dorado, Arkansas | M2.8 | 125 km | 10 km |
| Jan 11, 2024 | 6 km SSW of Hall Summit, Louisiana | M2.8 | 62 km | 5 km |
| Jan 9, 2024 | 1 km S of Edgefield, Louisiana | M2.8 | 64 km | 5 km |
| Feb 24, 2020 | 12 km ENE of Junction City, Arkansas | M2.8 | 110 km | 14 km |
| May 11, 2020 | 13 km SSE of El Dorado, Arkansas | M2.8 | 114 km | 12 km |
| Jan 19, 2024 | 5 km NNE of Edgefield, Louisiana | M2.7 | 62 km | 5 km |
| Apr 23, 2024 | 3 km N of Ringgold, Louisiana | M2.7 | 66 km | 5 km |
| Jan 19, 2024 | 7 km SW of Hall Summit, Louisiana | M2.7 | 66 km | 5 km |
| Apr 26, 2024 | 8 km SSE of Doyline, Louisiana | M2.7 | 81 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
13 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 4.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2021 | Ida | Category 4 | 121 mph | 241 km |
| 2020 | Laura | Category 4 | 150 mph | 43 km |
| 2020 | Delta | Category 2 | 98 mph | 221 km |
| 2019 | Barry | Category 1 | 75 mph | 279 km |
| 2008 | Gustav | Category 2 | 98 mph | 211 km |
| 2008 | Ike | Category 2 | 98 mph | 278 km |
| 2007 | Humberto | Category 1 | 92 mph | 217 km |
| 2005 | Rita | Category 3 | 115 mph | 223 km |
| 2002 | Lili | Category 1 | 92 mph | 234 km |
| 1992 | Andrew | Category 3 | 115 mph | 198 km |
| 1986 | Bonnie | Category 1 | 86 mph | 288 km |
| 1985 | Danny | Category 1 | 92 mph | 231 km |
| 1985 | Juan | Category 1 | 86 mph | 298 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
563 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 36 fatalities, 465 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Nov 29, 2010 | EF4 | 35 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 1, 1983 | EF4 | 87 km | 9.0 mi | 2 |
| Dec 13, 2022 | EF3 | 79 km | 9.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 29, 2022 | EF3 | 57 km | 7.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 2020 | EF3 | 80 km | 2.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 2020 | EF3 | 63 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 2019 | EF3 | 48 km | 11.2 mi | 2 |
| Nov 23, 2004 | EF3 | 44 km | 15.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 23, 2000 | EF3 | 77 km | 19.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1999 | EF3 | 70 km | 8.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1999 | EF3 | 85 km | 14.5 mi | 0 |
| Nov 3, 1992 | EF3 | 59 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 19, 1983 | EF3 | 84 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1983 | EF3 | 98 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1983 | EF3 | 52 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1983 | EF3 | 34 km | 23.0 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1983 | EF3 | 65 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1983 | EF3 | 41 km | 12.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 1, 1983 | EF3 | 53 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 1, 1983 | EF3 | 87 km | 21.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: C-43/44 (5,340 acres, 2021).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2021 | C-43/44 | 5,340 | 78 km |
| 2020 | UNNAMED | 5,104 | 82 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 4,777 | 95 km |
| 2022 | THE 60S | 4,538 | 89 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 4,498 | 38 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 4,440 | 72 km |
| 2011 | TD13 | 4,208 | 42 km |
| 2010 | WRANGLER | 3,693 | 72 km |
| 2024 | RX CAT C-40-41-42 | 3,635 | 49 km |
| 2020 | UNNAMED | 3,599 | 73 km |
| 2019 | C-110/111 | 3,516 | 38 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 3,431 | 83 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 3,408 | 19 km |
| 2021 | C15/16 | 3,189 | 75 km |
| 2019 | C-15 16 27 | 3,130 | 75 km |
| 2010 | C-15 | 3,117 | 74 km |
| 2024 | RX KIS C-15-16 | 3,112 | 75 km |
| 2022 | C-29/35 | 3,088 | 83 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 3,079 | 76 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,925 | 28 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 47°F (8°C) | 5.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 50°F (10°C) | 5.1 in | |
| March | 57°F (14°C) | 5.6 in | |
| April | 64°F (18°C) | 4.8 in | |
| May | 72°F (22°C) | 6.1 in | |
| June | 78°F (26°C) | 4.5 in | |
| July | 82°F (28°C) | 4.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 81°F (27°C) | 3.6 in | Driest |
| September | 75°F (24°C) | 4.1 in | |
| October | 65°F (18°C) | 4.0 in | |
| November | 55°F (13°C) | 4.9 in | |
| December | 48°F (9°C) | 6.3 in | Wettest |
Dodson has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 47°F in January to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 58.8 inches, with December being the wettest month (6.3") and August the driest (3.6").