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Weather & Climate in Helena-West Helena, AR
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Helena-West Helena enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. The area gets 310 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 49.7 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 331 feet.
Temperature
41°F Jan (5°C)
82°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 62.2°F |
| 15% above US avg | |
| January Average | 41°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 82°F (28°C) |
| Sunny Days | 310 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 331 ft (101 m) |
| Area | 13.1 sq mi (34.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 703/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.5314°N, 90.6201°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Phillips County County |
| Nearest Airport | Memphis International (MEM) 51 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 61.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 98.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 46.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
43 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.1.
| Feb 10, 2005 | 3 km NNW of Etowah, Arkansas | M4.1 | 141 km | 15 km |
| Oct 29, 2012 | 8 km SW of Parkin, Arkansas | M3.9 | 75 km | 21 km |
| Sep 17, 1997 | 2 km E of Trumann, Arkansas | M3.8 | 127 km | 0 km |
| Feb 23, 2013 | 7 km SW of Trumann, Arkansas | M3.7 | 122 km | 14 km |
| Jun 26, 2010 | 10 km NW of Garner, Arkansas | M3.3 | 137 km | 0 km |
| Jun 28, 2010 | 11 km NW of Garner, Arkansas | M3.2 | 137 km | 0 km |
| Aug 19, 1994 | 9 km WSW of Gilt Edge, Tennessee | M3.2 | 126 km | 11 km |
| Jul 17, 2013 | 7 km SW of Trumann, Arkansas | M3.2 | 122 km | 14 km |
| Aug 11, 1996 | 9 km WSW of Shaw, Mississippi | M3.1 | 109 km | 10 km |
| Oct 26, 2002 | 3 km SE of Alligator, Mississippi | M3.1 | 52 km | 3 km |
| Aug 7, 2015 | 16 km W of Millington, Tennessee | M3.0 | 106 km | 4 km |
| Mar 16, 1993 | 8 km SSE of Trumann, Arkansas | M3.0 | 120 km | 12 km |
| Jan 24, 2015 | 8 km NW of Victoria, Arkansas | M3.0 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Jan 3, 2025 | 11 km E of Pangburn, Arkansas | M2.9 | 142 km | 0 km |
| Aug 11, 2002 | 8 km ESE of Darling, Mississippi | M2.8 | 46 km | 4 km |
| May 14, 2013 | 7 km SW of Trumann, Arkansas | M2.8 | 121 km | 12 km |
| Jan 16, 2009 | 8 km NE of Garland, Tennessee | M2.8 | 150 km | 9 km |
| Jul 13, 2005 | 8 km S of Manila, Arkansas | M2.8 | 148 km | 11 km |
| Jul 16, 1996 | 3 km WNW of Etowah, Arkansas | M2.8 | 139 km | 9 km |
| Feb 25, 1999 | 10 km NE of Oakland, Mississippi | M2.8 | 84 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
400 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 99 fatalities, 1,169 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Dec 23, 2015 | EF4 | 84 km | 75.1 mi | 9 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 94 km | 29.6 mi | 16 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 78 km | 13.1 mi | 29 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF3 | 79 km | 72.6 mi | 4 |
| Dec 23, 2015 | EF3 | 60 km | 61.6 mi | 2 |
| May 10, 2008 | EF3 | 89 km | 14.1 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 2008 | EF3 | 78 km | 20.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2006 | EF3 | 86 km | 38.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 21, 1999 | EF3 | 62 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 27, 1994 | EF3 | 94 km | 16.0 mi | 3 |
| Nov 19, 1988 | EF3 | 71 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 14, 1987 | EF3 | 73 km | 25.0 mi | 6 |
| Apr 21, 1984 | EF3 | 77 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 14, 1983 | EF3 | 83 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Dec 24, 1982 | EF3 | 96 km | 15.0 mi | 1 |
| Jan 7, 1978 | EF3 | 78 km | 39.6 mi | 1 |
| Apr 24, 1976 | EF3 | 29 km | 24.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 26, 1976 | EF3 | 90 km | 9.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1974 | EF3 | 52 km | 3.8 mi | 4 |
| Feb 21, 1971 | EF3 | 76 km | 8.6 mi | 3 |
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 | — | — | 121 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
18 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: HOLLY SPRINGS - BB 123 124 (1,761 acres, 2021).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2021 | HOLLY SPRINGS - BB 123 124 | 1,761 | 97 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 1,760 | 97 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 1,363 | 94 km |
| 2024 | HOLLY SPRINGS IU 127-1 128-1 RX | 1,353 | 100 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 1,334 | 10 km |
| 2021 | HOLLY SPRINGS BB 127/128 | 1,231 | 100 km |
| 2024 | HOLLY SPRINGS CPT 123124 RX | 1,216 | 96 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 1,194 | 90 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 981 | 96 km |
| 2013 | C-132 | 889 | 98 km |
| 2022 | HOLLY SPRINGS BB 133 | 866 | 100 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 812 | 81 km |
| 2017 | 310 WEST OF COMO | 745 | 50 km |
| 2005 | WAPANOCCA LAKE | 725 | 97 km |
| 1993 | UNNAMED | 651 | 83 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 647 | 56 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 627 | 87 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 599 | 17 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 41°F (5°C) | 4.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 44°F (7°C) | 4.5 in | |
| March | 52°F (11°C) | 5.5 in | |
| April | 61°F (16°C) | 5.2 in | |
| May | 70°F (21°C) | 5.6 in | Wettest |
| June | 77°F (25°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 82°F (28°C) | 3.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 80°F (26°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| September | 73°F (23°C) | 3.4 in | |
| October | 63°F (17°C) | 3.5 in | |
| November | 52°F (11°C) | 5.2 in | |
| December | 43°F (6°C) | 5.6 in |
Helena-West Helena has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 41°F in January to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 53.5 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.6") and August the driest (3.0").