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Weather & Climate in Forest, MS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Forest enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. The area gets 323 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 462 feet.
Temperature
46°F Jan (8°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 63.3°F |
| 17% above US avg | |
| January Average | 46°F (8°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 323 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 462 ft (141 m) |
| Area | 0.0 sq mi (0.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 410/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 32.3598°N, 89.4759°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Scott County County |
| Nearest Airport | Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International (JAN) 35 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 55.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 91.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 14.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
21 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.7.
| Jul 16, 1993 | 2 km SSW of Silas, Alabama | M3.7 | 127 km | 5 km |
| Mar 25, 1996 | 11 km NNE of Quitman, Mississippi | M3.5 | 80 km | 5 km |
| Jun 24, 1998 | 11 km W of Demopolis, Alabama | M3.4 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Mar 22, 2005 | 9 km NNE of Coffeeville, Alabama | M3.3 | 146 km | 5 km |
| May 3, 2015 | 7 km SSW of Canton, Mississippi | M3.2 | 60 km | 5 km |
| Jun 29, 2015 | 6 km SSW of Canton, Mississippi | M3.2 | 61 km | 5 km |
| Mar 12, 2015 | 14 km W of Union, Alabama | M3.1 | 148 km | 0 km |
| May 16, 2008 | 10 km W of Coffeeville, Alabama | M3.1 | 137 km | 5 km |
| May 3, 2015 | 8 km WSW of Canton, Mississippi | M3.0 | 65 km | 5 km |
| May 21, 2002 | 7 km ESE of York, Alabama | M3.0 | 118 km | 27 km |
| Mar 15, 2025 | 5 km NNE of Magee, Mississippi | M3.0 | 53 km | 10 km |
| May 7, 1998 | 9 km SSE of Bellamy, Alabama | M2.8 | 128 km | 10 km |
| Aug 9, 2019 | Mississippi | M2.8 | 55 km | 5 km |
| Feb 19, 2015 | 14 km W of Union, Alabama | M2.8 | 149 km | 0 km |
| Mar 11, 2006 | 3 km NW of Epes, Alabama | M2.6 | 130 km | 31 km |
| Mar 10, 2004 | 15 km W of Union, Alabama | M2.6 | 147 km | 0 km |
| Aug 17, 2015 | 9 km N of Madison, Mississippi | M2.6 | 63 km | 5 km |
| Apr 23, 2019 | 11 km WSW of Union, Alabama | M2.6 | 150 km | 0 km |
| Sep 5, 2016 | 16 km W of Union, Alabama | M2.6 | 147 km | 0 km |
| Jun 26, 1994 | 11 km NE of Panola, Alabama | M2.5 | 142 km | 9 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 3.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2021 | Ida | Category 3 | 121 mph | 233 km |
| 2020 | Sally | Category 2 | 109 mph | 262 km |
| 2020 | Zeta | Category 2 | 98 mph | 120 km |
| 2017 | Nate | Category 1 | 75 mph | 223 km |
| 2005 | Dennis | Category 3 | 127 mph | 269 km |
| 2005 | Katrina | Category 3 | 121 mph | 52 km |
| 2004 | Ivan | Category 3 | 121 mph | 199 km |
| 1998 | Georges | Category 2 | 104 mph | 203 km |
| 1997 | Danny | Category 1 | 81 mph | 264 km |
| 1995 | Opal | Category 3 | 115 mph | 281 km |
| 1995 | Erin | Category 2 | 98 mph | 271 km |
| 1992 | Andrew | Category 3 | 92 mph | 295 km |
| 1985 | Elena | Category 3 | 121 mph | 187 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
956 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 81 fatalities, 1,703 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF5 | 60 km | 28.3 mi | 3 |
| Apr 28, 2014 | EF4 | 58 km | 33.4 mi | 10 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 37 km | 122.0 mi | 7 |
| Nov 24, 2001 | EF4 | 68 km | 11.5 mi | 2 |
| Nov 22, 1992 | EF4 | 57 km | 40.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 21, 1992 | EF4 | 83 km | 128.0 mi | 12 |
| Jan 19, 1988 | EF4 | 88 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 28, 1987 | EF4 | 98 km | 35.0 mi | 6 |
| Mar 12, 1986 | EF4 | 67 km | 23.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 23, 1977 | EF4 | 77 km | 15.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 29, 1976 | EF4 | 74 km | 22.3 mi | 3 |
| Mar 26, 1976 | EF4 | 82 km | 18.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 2, 1967 | EF4 | 12 km | 7.6 mi | 2 |
| Mar 11, 1963 | EF4 | 92 km | 45.2 mi | 2 |
| Jun 18, 2023 | EF3 | 42 km | 6.5 mi | 1 |
| Mar 22, 2022 | EF3 | 61 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| Dec 16, 2019 | EF3 | 82 km | 61.2 mi | 0 |
| Dec 16, 2019 | EF3 | 66 km | 18.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2014 | EF3 | 78 km | 10.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2014 | EF3 | 2 km | 4.3 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 | 10 km |
| 2021 | BIENVILLE - CPT 38-39-40 | 4,545 | 13 km |
| 2010 | CPT 341 | 4,101 | 98 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 4,007 | 14 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 3,956 | 99 km |
| 2010 | COMP 222-223-224 | 3,745 | 6 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 3,547 | 27 km |
| 2010 | CPT 343 | 3,474 | 95 km |
| 2010 | BIEN 1-4 | 2,983 | 28 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,935 | 7 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 2,777 | 100 km |
| 2021 | BIENVILLE CPT 1-4 | 2,761 | 27 km |
| 2022 | BIENVILLE CPT 203/205 | 2,731 | 30 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 2,436 | 21 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,388 | 13 km |
| 2022 | 508 | 2,386 | 26 km |
| 2022 | BIENVILLE CPT 89/90 | 2,341 | 17 km |
| 2021 | BIENVILLE - CPT 76/77 | 2,246 | 9 km |
| 2013 | BIEN 42-46 55 | 2,215 | 7 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 2,194 | 98 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 46°F (8°C) | 5.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 48°F (9°C) | 5.3 in | |
| March | 56°F (13°C) | 6.3 in | Wettest |
| April | 63°F (17°C) | 5.7 in | |
| May | 70°F (21°C) | 4.8 in | |
| June | 77°F (25°C) | 3.7 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 5.2 in | |
| August | 80°F (26°C) | 3.9 in | Warmest |
| September | 75°F (24°C) | 3.6 in | Driest |
| October | 63°F (17°C) | 3.6 in | |
| November | 54°F (12°C) | 4.9 in | |
| December | 47°F (8°C) | 5.9 in |
Forest has a seasonal temperature swing of 34°F / from 46°F in January to 80°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 58.4 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.3") and September the driest (3.6").