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Weather & Climate in Emerson, AR
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Emerson enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 81°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 56.3 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.7 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 309 feet.
Temperature
43°F Jan (6°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 62.6°F |
| 16% above US avg | |
| January Average | 43°F (6°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 304 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 309 ft (94 m) |
| Area | 1.0 sq mi (2.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 226/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 33.0973°N, 93.1960°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Columbia County County |
| Nearest Airport | South Arkansas Regional At Goodwin Field (ELD) 24 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 42.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 92.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 47.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
24 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 | 107 km | 9 km |
| Jan 18, 2025 | 0 km WSW of Mooringsport, Louisiana | M3.5 | 86 km | 5 km |
| Mar 16, 1997 | 6 km SSE of Amity, Arkansas | M3.4 | 126 km | 5 km |
| Apr 16, 2021 | 8 km WNW of Blanchard, Louisiana | M3.2 | 92 km | 5 km |
| Jun 10, 1994 | 4 km E of Junction City, Arkansas | M3.2 | 50 km | 5 km |
| Aug 4, 2001 | 16 km SW of Lake Hamilton, Arkansas | M3.2 | 138 km | 0 km |
| Jan 6, 2025 | 4 km ESE of Mooringsport, Louisiana | M3.0 | 82 km | 9 km |
| Apr 1, 2021 | 7 km W of Blanchard, Louisiana | M3.0 | 92 km | 5 km |
| May 16, 2007 | 5 km SW of Calion, Arkansas | M3.0 | 61 km | 5 km |
| Mar 3, 2001 | 2 km SSE of El Dorado, Arkansas | M3.0 | 51 km | 5 km |
| Jan 9, 2024 | 1 km S of Edgefield, Louisiana | M2.8 | 119 km | 5 km |
| Jan 11, 2024 | 6 km SSW of Hall Summit, Louisiana | M2.8 | 110 km | 5 km |
| Dec 17, 2001 | 3 km WSW of El Dorado, Arkansas | M2.8 | 48 km | 10 km |
| Jan 9, 1997 | 6 km E of El Dorado, Arkansas | M2.8 | 57 km | 5 km |
| Feb 24, 2020 | 12 km ENE of Junction City, Arkansas | M2.8 | 56 km | 14 km |
| May 11, 2020 | 13 km SSE of El Dorado, Arkansas | M2.8 | 55 km | 12 km |
| Apr 26, 2024 | 8 km SSE of Doyline, Louisiana | M2.7 | 73 km | 5 km |
| Jan 19, 2024 | 7 km SW of Hall Summit, Louisiana | M2.7 | 110 km | 5 km |
| Jan 19, 2024 | 5 km NNE of Edgefield, Louisiana | M2.7 | 111 km | 5 km |
| Apr 23, 2024 | 3 km N of Ringgold, Louisiana | M2.7 | 83 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
1 hurricane (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 | 122 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
544 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 39 fatalities, 759 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 3, 1999 | EF4 | 87 km | 19.3 mi | 7 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF4 | 90 km | 27.0 mi | 6 |
| Dec 3, 1978 | EF4 | 84 km | 6.2 mi | 2 |
| Dec 19, 1957 | EF4 | 29 km | 17.7 mi | 2 |
| Dec 13, 2022 | EF3 | 77 km | 9.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 2019 | EF3 | 82 km | 11.2 mi | 2 |
| Apr 9, 2009 | EF3 | 79 km | 9.9 mi | 0 |
| Feb 24, 2007 | EF3 | 44 km | 26.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 12, 2005 | EF3 | 44 km | 24.0 mi | 2 |
| May 4, 1999 | EF3 | 17 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1999 | EF3 | 56 km | 8.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1999 | EF3 | 43 km | 14.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF3 | 74 km | 18.0 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 1996 | EF3 | 98 km | 26.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 3, 1992 | EF3 | 73 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 23, 1985 | EF3 | 62 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 9, 1984 | EF3 | 71 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 19, 1983 | EF3 | 61 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 3, 1982 | EF3 | 62 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 1982 | EF3 | 55 km | 23.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CANEY C 11-14 (2,323 acres, 2022).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2022 | CANEY C 11-14 | 2,323 | 32 km |
| 2011 | 592 | 2,278 | 87 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 1,756 | 43 km |
| 1996 | 007 CORNEY LAKE BED | 1,716 | 46 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 1,649 | 96 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,618 | 30 km |
| 2018 | C-25 26 27 | 1,565 | 43 km |
| 2018 | MIDDLEFORK UNIT | 1,514 | 31 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 1,478 | 95 km |
| 2011 | RELEASE | 1,398 | 82 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 1,358 | 71 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 1,325 | 83 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 1,317 | 95 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 1,199 | 41 km |
| 2022 | C-24 28 | 1,161 | 44 km |
| 2006 | SHALLOW LAKE ROAD WEST 2 H | 1,146 | 95 km |
| 2007 | BOULDIN HOUSE N 3F | 1,061 | 94 km |
| 2011 | UNNAMED | 1,046 | 81 km |
| 2012 | ROSE HILL | 1,002 | 84 km |
| 2011 | SHALLOW LAKE WEST | 900 | 95 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 43°F (6°C) | 4.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 48°F (9°C) | 4.2 in | |
| March | 55°F (13°C) | 4.8 in | |
| April | 63°F (17°C) | 4.2 in | |
| May | 70°F (21°C) | 4.9 in | Wettest |
| June | 77°F (25°C) | 4.2 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 4.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 81°F (27°C) | 3.2 in | Driest |
| September | 75°F (24°C) | 3.7 in | |
| October | 64°F (18°C) | 3.8 in | |
| November | 53°F (12°C) | 4.8 in | |
| December | 46°F (8°C) | 4.8 in |
Emerson has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 43°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 50.7 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.9") and August the driest (3.2").