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Weather & Climate in Ethel, MS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Ethel enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 44°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 57.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 437 feet.
Temperature
44°F Jan (7°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 63.5°F |
| 18% above US avg | |
| January Average | 44°F (7°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 304 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 437 ft (133 m) |
| Area | 0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 374/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 33.1221°N, 89.4650°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Attala County County |
| Nearest Airport | Golden Triangle Regional (GTR) 55 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 34.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 80.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 33.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
26 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.7.
| Jan 8, 2019 | 8 km WNW of Hollandale, Mississippi | M3.7 | 137 km | 16 km |
| Mar 25, 1996 | 11 km NNE of Quitman, Mississippi | M3.5 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Jun 30, 2015 | 12 km W of Union, Alabama | M3.5 | 133 km | 0 km |
| May 3, 2015 | 7 km SSW of Canton, Mississippi | M3.2 | 85 km | 5 km |
| Jun 29, 2015 | 6 km SSW of Canton, Mississippi | M3.2 | 84 km | 5 km |
| Aug 11, 1996 | 9 km WSW of Shaw, Mississippi | M3.1 | 140 km | 10 km |
| Mar 12, 2015 | 14 km W of Union, Alabama | M3.1 | 132 km | 0 km |
| May 10, 2008 | 1 km SSE of Sherman, Mississippi | M3.1 | 149 km | 0 km |
| Feb 27, 2015 | 11 km WSW of Union, Alabama | M3.1 | 134 km | 0 km |
| Mar 15, 2025 | 5 km NNE of Magee, Mississippi | M3.0 | 136 km | 10 km |
| May 21, 2002 | 7 km ESE of York, Alabama | M3.0 | 138 km | 27 km |
| May 3, 2015 | 8 km WSW of Canton, Mississippi | M3.0 | 86 km | 5 km |
| Feb 25, 1999 | 10 km NE of Oakland, Mississippi | M2.8 | 117 km | 5 km |
| Aug 9, 2019 | Mississippi | M2.8 | 85 km | 5 km |
| Feb 19, 2015 | 14 km W of Union, Alabama | M2.8 | 131 km | 0 km |
| Aug 13, 2015 | 9 km WSW of Union, Alabama | M2.7 | 137 km | 1 km |
| Feb 19, 2015 | 13 km W of Union, Alabama | M2.7 | 132 km | 0 km |
| Jun 6, 2015 | 9 km W of Union, Alabama | M2.7 | 136 km | 1 km |
| Jan 22, 2015 | 12 km W of Union, Alabama | M2.6 | 133 km | 0 km |
| Aug 17, 2015 | 9 km N of Madison, Mississippi | M2.6 | 89 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
5 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2020 | Zeta | Category 1 | — | 199 km |
| 2005 | Katrina | Category 1 | 92 mph | 136 km |
| 2004 | Ivan | Category 2 | 81 mph | 253 km |
| 1998 | Georges | Category 1 | 75 mph | 286 km |
| 1985 | Elena | Category 2 | — | 271 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
688 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 77 fatalities, 827 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF5 | 49 km | 28.3 mi | 3 |
| Apr 28, 2014 | EF4 | 27 km | 33.4 mi | 10 |
| Jan 19, 1988 | EF4 | 11 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 23, 1977 | EF4 | 25 km | 15.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 29, 1976 | EF4 | 93 km | 22.3 mi | 3 |
| Dec 2, 1967 | EF4 | 73 km | 7.6 mi | 2 |
| Mar 11, 1963 | EF4 | 18 km | 45.2 mi | 2 |
| Mar 24, 2023 | EF3 | 57 km | 29.4 mi | 3 |
| Mar 22, 2022 | EF3 | 79 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2014 | EF3 | 84 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 11, 2013 | EF3 | 78 km | 66.4 mi | 1 |
| Oct 17, 2012 | EF3 | 76 km | 14.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 67 km | 51.5 mi | 4 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 96 km | 10.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 37 km | 70.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 99 km | 23.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 57 km | 23.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 2011 | EF3 | 66 km | 48.5 mi | 0 |
| Jan 1, 2011 | EF3 | 34 km | 23.5 mi | 0 |
| Jan 1, 2011 | EF3 | 94 km | 9.6 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BIEN 75-78 (4,658 acres, 2014).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2014 | BIEN 75-78 | 4,658 | 93 km |
| 2021 | BIENVILLE - CPT 38-39-40 | 4,545 | 82 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 4,007 | 79 km |
| 2010 | COMP 222-223-224 | 3,745 | 83 km |
| 2016 | MSNXR FY16 RX 1703B | 3,633 | 60 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 3,616 | 52 km |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 3,605 | 59 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 3,593 | 50 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 3,547 | 67 km |
| 1987 | 10 NOVEMBER | 3,301 | 60 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 3,053 | 51 km |
| 2010 | BIEN 1-4 | 2,983 | 67 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,935 | 82 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 2,887 | 38 km |
| 2020 | TOMBIGBEE COMP 54/55/56 | 2,846 | 52 km |
| 2021 | BIENVILLE CPT 1-4 | 2,761 | 67 km |
| 2022 | TOMBIGBEE BB 54 55 56 | 2,736 | 52 km |
| 1995 | 16 | 2,482 | 59 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 2,436 | 71 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 2,393 | 59 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 44°F (7°C) | 5.8 in | Coldest |
| February | 46°F (8°C) | 5.0 in | |
| March | 54°F (12°C) | 6.4 in | Wettest |
| April | 61°F (16°C) | 5.8 in | |
| May | 69°F (21°C) | 5.0 in | |
| June | 76°F (25°C) | 3.6 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 5.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 3.5 in | Driest |
| September | 74°F (23°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 62°F (17°C) | 3.7 in | |
| November | 53°F (12°C) | 5.1 in | |
| December | 46°F (8°C) | 5.8 in |
Ethel has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 44°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 58.4 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.4") and August the driest (3.5").