Weather & Climate in Fort Smith, AR

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Fort Smith enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 45°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. The area gets 298 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 49.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 4.8 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 476 feet.

Temperature

45°F Jan (7°C) 83°F Jul (28°C)

Annual Average	63.3°F
	17% above US avg
January Average	45°F (7°C)
July Average	83°F (28°C)
Sunny Days	298 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	476 ft (145 m)
Area	65.8 sq mi (170.5 km²)
Population Density	1,394/sq mi
Coordinates	35.3493°N, 94.3709°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Sebastian County County
Nearest Airport	Fort Smith Regional (FSM) 4 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 49.9"

31% above US avg

Snowfall 4.8"

Wettest Month (May) 5.87"

Driest Month (Jan) 2.48"

Air Quality

AQI Median	43.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	86.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability	48.9 / 100
Community Resilience	38.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively High
Hurricane	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Relatively Moderate
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather	Relatively High
Lightning	Relatively High
Ice Storm	Very High
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
Landslide	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

77 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.7.

Aug 24, 2021	1 km S of Quinton, Oklahoma	M3.7	95 km	7 km
Aug 18, 2019	1 km ENE of Quinton, Oklahoma	M3.7	93 km	6 km
Nov 15, 1990	16 km NNW of Hector, Arkansas	M3.5	124 km	29 km
Aug 22, 2021	3 km ESE of Quinton, Oklahoma	M3.4	92 km	7 km
Jul 22, 2021	2 km E of Quinton, Oklahoma	M3.3	92 km	8 km
Feb 7, 2020	2 km SSW of Quinton, Oklahoma	M3.2	96 km	6 km
Feb 7, 2020	3 km SSW of Quinton, Oklahoma	M3.2	97 km	6 km
May 27, 2007	9 km SW of Hanna, Oklahoma	M3.2	147 km	5 km
Aug 12, 2019	1 km NE of Quinton, Oklahoma	M3.2	93 km	5 km
Jun 3, 2022	10 km W of Quinton, Oklahoma	M3.2	104 km	13 km
Mar 14, 2022	12 km E of Crowder, Oklahoma	M3.1	109 km	8 km
Jan 7, 2018	7 km SW of Indianola, Oklahoma	M3.1	136 km	5 km
Apr 1, 2020	2 km NE of Quinton, Oklahoma	M3.1	92 km	9 km
Jul 28, 1990	18 km W of Mountain Pine, Arkansas	M2.9	123 km	4 km
Feb 3, 2021	1 km SW of Quinton, Oklahoma	M2.9	95 km	7 km
Sep 21, 2019	2 km NNE of Quinton, Oklahoma	M2.9	93 km	7 km
May 8, 2022	13 km WSW of Quinton, Oklahoma	M2.9	108 km	7 km
Aug 14, 2024	13 km WSW of Quinton, Oklahoma	M2.9	107 km	8 km
Aug 12, 2021	2 km E of Quinton, Oklahoma	M2.8	92 km	7 km
Jul 8, 2019	3 km ENE of Quinton, OK	M2.8	91 km	10 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

510 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 91 fatalities, 1,109 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Mar 26, 1976	EF5	34 km	11.9 mi	2
May 24, 2011	EF4	39 km	45.7 mi	4
Mar 26, 1976	EF4	91 km	10.7 mi	1
May 26, 1973	EF4	89 km	3.6 mi	5
Apr 19, 1968	EF4	19 km	2.0 mi	14
May 5, 1961	EF4	91 km	26.4 mi	16
May 5, 1960	EF4	17 km	5.4 mi	5
May 5, 1960	EF4	99 km	62.4 mi	16
Jan 22, 1957	EF4	29 km	0.1 mi	10
Mar 30, 2022	EF3	88 km	5.2 mi	0
May 24, 2011	EF3	77 km	29.0 mi	1
Dec 31, 2010	EF3	74 km	21.1 mi	4
Apr 9, 2009	EF3	90 km	14.8 mi	3
May 4, 1999	EF3	29 km	38.2 mi	0
Apr 21, 1996	EF3	8 km	10.1 mi	2
Apr 21, 1996	EF3	72 km	15.0 mi	2
Nov 22, 1983	EF3	65 km	19.0 mi	0
Dec 2, 1982	EF3	19 km	1.0 mi	0
Apr 19, 1981	EF3	92 km	3.0 mi	0
Apr 7, 1980	EF3	80 km	3.6 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (18,089 acres, 2007).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2007	UNNAMED	18,089	80 km
2000	UNNAMED	15,318	29 km
2007	UNNAMED	14,774	61 km
1998	UNNAMED	13,929	27 km
2016	WEST CAVANAL FIRE	13,100	49 km
2004	UNNAMED	12,086	81 km
2016	UNNAMED	11,929	28 km
2024	RX FOUCHE VALLEY	10,912	84 km
2007	UNNAMED	10,593	58 km
2003	UNNAMED	9,749	96 km
2016	UNNAMED	9,483	70 km
2013	UNNAMED	9,385	58 km
2014	UNNAMED	9,368	100 km
2021	BILLY CREEK	9,236	78 km
2017	MIDDLE RIDGE	8,501	34 km
2016	DOG HOUSE FIRE	8,304	98 km
2014	UNNAMED	7,945	57 km
2016	UNNAMED	7,919	72 km
2013	UNNAMED	7,804	72 km
2003	UNNAMED	7,415	51 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	45°F (7°C)	2.5 in	Driest
February	43°F (6°C)	2.8 in
March	52°F (11°C)	4.5 in
April	61°F (16°C)	4.4 in
May	69°F (21°C)	5.9 in	Wettest
June	77°F (25°C)	4.2 in
July	83°F (28°C)	3.3 in	Warmest
August	81°F (27°C)	3.1 in
September	73°F (23°C)	4.6 in
October	62°F (17°C)	4.4 in
November	50°F (10°C)	4.6 in
December	41°F (5°C)	3.5 in	Coldest

Fort Smith has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 41°F in December to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.7 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.9") and January the driest (2.5").

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