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Weather & Climate in Essex, MO
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Essex enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. The area gets 248 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 48.2 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 3.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 302 feet.
Temperature
33°F Jan (0°C)
80°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 57.6°F |
| 7% above US avg | |
| January Average | 33°F (0°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 248 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 302 ft (92 m) |
| Area | 0.3 sq mi (0.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,286/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.8126°N, 89.8615°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| Nearest Airport | Malden Regional (MAW) 16 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Earthquake History
413 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.8.
| Sep 26, 1990 | 4 km SE of Chaffee, Missouri | M4.8 | 44 km | 1 km |
| May 4, 1991 | 2 km NNW of Risco, Missouri | M4.5 | 27 km | 11 km |
| Feb 5, 1994 | 2 km WNW of Dongola, Illinois | M4.2 | 86 km | 16 km |
| May 1, 2005 | 5 km SSE of Manila, Arkansas | M4.2 | 112 km | 10 km |
| Feb 10, 2005 | 3 km NNW of Etowah, Arkansas | M4.1 | 122 km | 15 km |
| Apr 30, 2003 | 1 km N of Blytheville, Arkansas | M4.0 | 97 km | 24 km |
| Jun 2, 2005 | 12 km S of Ridgely, Tennessee | M4.0 | 81 km | 15 km |
| Jun 6, 2003 | 1 km NE of Bardwell, Kentucky | M4.0 | 77 km | 3 km |
| Aug 22, 2000 | 19 km WNW of Maynard, Arkansas | M3.9 | 117 km | 10 km |
| Feb 21, 2012 | 4 km SSE of Bertrand, Missouri | M3.9 | 40 km | 8 km |
| Oct 21, 1999 | 9 km NW of Maynard, Arkansas | M3.9 | 106 km | 10 km |
| May 16, 2024 | 6 km S of Ridgely, Tennessee | M3.8 | 76 km | 8 km |
| Nov 29, 1996 | 1 km W of Blytheville, Arkansas | M3.8 | 99 km | 19 km |
| Sep 17, 1997 | 2 km E of Trumann, Arkansas | M3.8 | 138 km | 0 km |
| Feb 23, 2013 | 7 km SW of Trumann, Arkansas | M3.7 | 146 km | 14 km |
| Mar 2, 2010 | 2 km ENE of East Prairie, Missouri | M3.7 | 45 km | 8 km |
| Apr 24, 2019 | 12 km NNW of Dyersburg, Tennessee | M3.7 | 84 km | 14 km |
| Jan 16, 2018 | 4 km SW of Caruthersville, Missouri | M3.6 | 74 km | 9 km |
| Oct 15, 2017 | 6 km SE of Manila, Arkansas | M3.6 | 111 km | 17 km |
| Apr 2, 2015 | 1 km WNW of Cooter, Missouri | M3.6 | 85 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
593 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 129 fatalities, 1,194 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Dec 10, 2021 | EF4 | 75 km | 168.5 mi | 57 |
| Sep 22, 2006 | EF4 | 97 km | 27.5 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 2003 | EF4 | 90 km | 33.0 mi | 2 |
| Jan 21, 1999 | EF4 | 85 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF4 | 97 km | 15.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 22, 1981 | EF4 | 55 km | 63.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 95 km | 2.0 mi | 4 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 85 km | 6.5 mi | 17 |
| May 26, 2024 | EF3 | 13 km | 19.6 mi | 0 |
| Dec 10, 2021 | EF3 | 94 km | 122.6 mi | 0 |
| Oct 24, 2021 | EF3 | 94 km | 18.8 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 2016 | EF3 | 99 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 17, 2013 | EF3 | 26 km | 14.3 mi | 0 |
| Nov 17, 2013 | EF3 | 93 km | 42.5 mi | 3 |
| Feb 29, 2012 | EF3 | 31 km | 20.0 mi | 1 |
| May 25, 2011 | EF3 | 88 km | 47.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2006 | EF3 | 83 km | 18.0 mi | 16 |
| May 6, 2003 | EF3 | 65 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF3 | 78 km | 19.3 mi | 1 |
| Apr 27, 2002 | EF3 | 49 km | 4.0 mi | 1 |
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 | — | — | 143 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WYLIE KING 1 (6,077 acres, 2010).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2010 | WYLIE KING 1 | 6,077 | 63 km |
| 2021 | MILLER KING | 4,130 | 66 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 3,313 | 71 km |
| 2021 | VICTORY 1-7 | 3,237 | 61 km |
| 2005 | MCKENZIE HILL | 2,722 | 98 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,627 | 81 km |
| 2019 | ATWOOD RIDGE RX | 1,622 | 81 km |
| 2007 | BRAWLEY HOLLOW | 1,575 | 97 km |
| 2024 | ESSMAN SPRING RX | 1,495 | 63 km |
| 2012 | 12 LONGBAY | 1,432 | 100 km |
| 2020 | UNNAMED | 1,334 | 64 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 1,257 | 72 km |
| 2021 | OZARK HILL PRAIRIE RX | 1,235 | 72 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 1,232 | 65 km |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 1,147 | 94 km |
| 2020 | 20 LONGBAY | 1,128 | 100 km |
| 2022 | BEAN RIDGE RX | 955 | 65 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 839 | 67 km |
| 2021 | UPALIKA 3 AND 4 HARMONY 3 | 824 | 72 km |
| 2022 | ESSMAN 4 GOOSECREEK 1 3 4 7 8 | 823 | 62 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33°F (0°C) | 3.2 in | Coldest |
| February | 38°F (3°C) | 3.6 in | |
| March | 47°F (8°C) | 5.2 in | Wettest |
| April | 57°F (14°C) | 4.7 in | |
| May | 67°F (19°C) | 5.1 in | |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 3.7 in | |
| July | 80°F (26°C) | 3.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 78°F (25°C) | 3.2 in | |
| September | 72°F (22°C) | 3.7 in | |
| October | 60°F (15°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| November | 48°F (9°C) | 4.5 in | |
| December | 38°F (3°C) | 4.6 in |
Essex has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 33°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.2 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.2") and October the driest (3.0").