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Weather & Climate in Helena, MS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Helena enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 68°F (20°C). Winters average 52°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. The area gets 313 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 61.7 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 14 feet.
Temperature
52°F Jan (11°C)
82°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 67.8°F |
| 26% above US avg | |
| January Average | 52°F (11°C) |
| July Average | 82°F (28°C) |
| Sunny Days | 313 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 14 ft (4 m) |
| Area | 4.2 sq mi (10.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 204/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 30.4881°N, 88.5056°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Jackson County County |
| Nearest Airport | Trent Lott International (PGL) 1 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 92.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 52.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 86.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
17 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.8.
| Oct 24, 1997 | 15 km NNW of Flomaton, Alabama | M4.8 | 132 km | 10 km |
| Jul 16, 1993 | 2 km SSW of Silas, Alabama | M3.7 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Oct 26, 1997 | 11 km NNW of Flomaton, Alabama | M3.7 | 134 km | 10 km |
| Feb 18, 2011 | 22 km SSE of Dauphin Island, Alabama | M3.5 | 66 km | 5 km |
| Sep 30, 2003 | 10 km NNW of Atmore, Alabama | M3.3 | 117 km | 5 km |
| May 16, 2008 | 10 km W of Coffeeville, Alabama | M3.1 | 146 km | 5 km |
| May 4, 1997 | 9 km ESE of Atmore, Alabama | M3.1 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Apr 11, 2019 | 6 km NNW of Pollard, Alabama | M3.1 | 141 km | 10 km |
| Mar 11, 2019 | 4 km N of Flomaton, Alabama | M3.1 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Oct 28, 1997 | 11 km NNW of Flomaton, Alabama | M3.0 | 134 km | 10 km |
| Oct 18, 1997 | 69 km SSW of Dauphin Island, Alabama | M2.9 | 93 km | 1 km |
| Sep 25, 2003 | 14 km N of Atmore, Alabama | M2.9 | 120 km | 0 km |
| Mar 7, 2019 | 2 km NW of Jay, Florida | M2.8 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Mar 24, 2019 | 2 km ESE of Century, Florida | M2.7 | 132 km | 5 km |
| Apr 12, 2019 | 13 km NW of Flomaton, Alabama | M2.6 | 131 km | 5 km |
| Nov 10, 2012 | 16 km S of Dauphin Island, Alabama | M2.6 | 57 km | 11 km |
| Apr 11, 2019 | 8 km NW of Pollard, Alabama | M2.5 | 139 km | 8 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
23 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 5.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2024 | Francine | Category 2 | 104 mph | 251 km |
| 2021 | Ida | Category 4 | 150 mph | 212 km |
| 2020 | Zeta | Category 3 | 115 mph | 108 km |
| 2020 | Sally | Category 2 | 109 mph | 80 km |
| 2018 | Michael | Category 5 | 161 mph | 270 km |
| 2017 | Nate | Category 1 | 86 mph | 48 km |
| 2012 | Isaac | Category 1 | 81 mph | 196 km |
| 2009 | Ida | Category 1 | 86 mph | 222 km |
| 2008 | Gustav | Category 2 | 109 mph | 256 km |
| 2005 | Katrina | Category 4 | 144 mph | 107 km |
| 2005 | Dennis | Category 4 | 138 mph | 120 km |
| 2005 | Cindy | Category 1 | 75 mph | 210 km |
| 2004 | Ivan | Category 4 | 132 mph | 66 km |
| 1998 | Georges | Category 2 | 109 mph | 38 km |
| 1998 | Earl | Category 2 | 98 mph | 202 km |
| 1997 | Danny | Category 1 | 81 mph | 50 km |
| 1995 | Opal | Category 4 | 127 mph | 128 km |
| 1995 | Erin | Category 2 | 98 mph | 97 km |
| 1992 | Andrew | Category 4 | 144 mph | 294 km |
| 1988 | Florence | Category 1 | 81 mph | 158 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
523 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 12 fatalities, 316 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Nov 30, 2022 | EF3 | 94 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 2011 | EF3 | 73 km | 18.3 mi | 4 |
| Oct 13, 2001 | EF3 | 80 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 21, 1997 | EF3 | 56 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 20, 1983 | EF3 | 74 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 1982 | EF3 | 45 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1980 | EF3 | 48 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1980 | EF3 | 95 km | 13.1 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1980 | EF3 | 66 km | 10.6 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 1980 | EF3 | 63 km | 11.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 1980 | EF3 | 59 km | 15.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1976 | EF3 | 56 km | 13.9 mi | 0 |
| Nov 3, 1968 | EF3 | 48 km | 70.4 mi | 0 |
| Nov 3, 1968 | EF3 | 57 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 30, 1967 | EF3 | 56 km | 2.0 mi | 4 |
| Apr 18, 1966 | EF3 | 39 km | 23.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 18, 1950 | EF3 | 36 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 19, 2023 | EF2 | 10 km | 2.4 mi | 0 |
| Jan 12, 2023 | EF2 | 66 km | 11.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 17, 2022 | EF2 | 87 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WHITE DOG (12,306 acres, 2005).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2005 | WHITE DOG | 12,306 | 92 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 10,363 | 60 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 10,170 | 70 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 9,932 | 91 km |
| 2010 | DESOTO 0902 | 8,713 | 65 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 7,660 | 39 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 7,388 | 90 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 7,334 | 94 km |
| 2010 | DESOTO 1057 | 7,148 | 40 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 7,059 | 68 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 6,802 | 65 km |
| 1993 | UNNAMED | 6,744 | 24 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 6,712 | 84 km |
| 2000 | COW PEN | 6,502 | 93 km |
| 2010 | CRIPPLE CHINOOK | 6,035 | 90 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 5,819 | 92 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 5,803 | 73 km |
| 2010 | DESOTO 1064 | 5,695 | 36 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 5,657 | 79 km |
| 1987 | MACHINE GUN | 5,601 | 90 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 52°F (11°C) | 5.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 54°F (12°C) | 5.4 in | |
| March | 60°F (16°C) | 5.9 in | |
| April | 67°F (19°C) | 4.5 in | |
| May | 74°F (23°C) | 5.5 in | |
| June | 79°F (26°C) | 5.2 in | |
| July | 82°F (28°C) | 7.0 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 81°F (27°C) | 6.7 in | |
| September | 78°F (26°C) | 5.6 in | |
| October | 69°F (20°C) | 3.7 in | Driest |
| November | 60°F (16°C) | 4.5 in | |
| December | 54°F (12°C) | 4.7 in |
Helena has a seasonal temperature swing of 30°F / from 52°F in January to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 64.3 inches, with July being the wettest month (7.0") and October the driest (3.7").