Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Hessmer enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 67°F (19°C). Winters average 49°F in January while summers reach 83°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 60.1 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42. The city sits at an elevation of 77 feet.
Temperature
49°F Jan (10°C)83°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average
66.9°F
24% above US avg
January Average
49°F (10°C)
July Average
83°F (28°C)
Sunny Days
313 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
77 ft (23 m)
Area
0.3 sq mi (0.8 km²)
Population Density
1,089/sq mi
Coordinates
31.0534°N, 92.1215°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Rapides Parish County
Nearest Airport
Esler Regional (ESF) 26 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall60.1"
58% above US avg
Snowfall0.0"
Wettest Month (Dec)6.46"
Driest Month (Aug)4.06"
Air Quality
AQI Median
42.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Moderate
Risk Score
84.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability
79.3 / 100
Community Resilience
80.1 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Moderate
Hurricane
Relatively Moderate
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Relatively Low
Flood
Relatively Moderate
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave
Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather
Relatively Moderate
Lightning
Relatively High
Ice Storm
Relatively High
Drought
Relatively High
Cold Wave
Relatively High
Landslide
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1 earthquake (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M3.0.
Aug 2, 2010
16 km ESE of Clinton, Louisiana
M3.0
124 km
0 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
20 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980.
Strongest on record: Category 4.
Year
Name
Category
Max Wind
Closest
2024
Francine
Category 2
104 mph
200 km
2021
Ida
Category 4
150 mph
136 km
2020
Laura
Category 4
150 mph
113 km
2020
Zeta
Category 3
115 mph
233 km
2020
Delta
Category 2
104 mph
130 km
2019
Barry
Category 1
75 mph
162 km
2012
Isaac
Category 1
81 mph
241 km
2008
Gustav
Category 2
109 mph
86 km
2007
Humberto
Category 1
92 mph
164 km
2005
Katrina
Category 4
127 mph
240 km
2005
Rita
Category 3
121 mph
199 km
2005
Cindy
Category 1
75 mph
283 km
2002
Lili
Category 2
92 mph
118 km
1997
Danny
Category 1
81 mph
297 km
1992
Andrew
Category 4
144 mph
74 km
1989
Chantal
Category 1
81 mph
271 km
1986
Bonnie
Category 1
86 mph
245 km
1985
Elena
Category 3
115 mph
225 km
1985
Danny
Category 1
92 mph
130 km
1985
Juan
Category 1
86 mph
180 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
563 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 44 fatalities, 543 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Dec 3, 1953
EF4
89 km
85.5 mi
9
Apr 10, 2021
EF3
46 km
8.7 mi
1
May 17, 2020
EF3
68 km
3.9 mi
1
Sep 24, 2005
EF3
92 km
14.0 mi
0
Nov 23, 2004
EF3
93 km
15.0 mi
1
Nov 21, 1992
EF3
99 km
38.0 mi
0
Nov 21, 1992
EF3
60 km
3.0 mi
0
May 20, 1983
EF3
24 km
2.0 mi
0
May 19, 1983
EF3
92 km
12.0 mi
1
Feb 9, 1983
EF3
73 km
21.0 mi
0
Feb 9, 1983
EF3
72 km
3.0 mi
0
Jan 31, 1983
EF3
15 km
5.0 mi
1
Sep 12, 1982
EF3
93 km
2.0 mi
0
Jun 5, 1981
EF3
43 km
4.3 mi
0
Apr 21, 1977
EF3
85 km
3.8 mi
1
Oct 29, 1974
EF3
97 km
7.3 mi
0
Feb 29, 1972
EF3
92 km
1.0 mi
0
Jun 22, 1971
EF3
51 km
0.1 mi
0
Dec 29, 1969
EF3
56 km
29.1 mi
0
May 1, 1967
EF3
88 km
5.2 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: UNNAMED (12,496 acres, 2000).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2000
UNNAMED
12,496
61 km
2023
HWY 113
7,104
68 km
2021
C-368 366 365 364 75
5,919
48 km
2013
UNNAMED
5,381
75 km
2021
C-43/44
5,340
98 km
2013
UNNAMED
5,044
95 km
2013
UNNAMED
4,777
50 km
2017
UNNAMED
4,498
91 km
2019
C-371/369/34
4,481
44 km
2024
RX CALV C-262-265
4,445
78 km
2013
UNNAMED
4,440
98 km
2019
UNNAMED
4,310
83 km
2017
UNNAMED
4,279
92 km
2018
C-238
3,709
87 km
2010
WRANGLER
3,693
99 km
2017
UNNAMED
3,648
42 km
2024
RX CAT C-40-41-42
3,635
78 km
2000
UNNAMED
3,599
68 km
2019
ZION HILL RANGE 9 C-252/253/254/257
3,595
98 km
2019
C-110/111
3,516
89 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
49°F (10°C)
5.9 in
Coldest
February
52°F (11°C)
4.9 in
March
60°F (15°C)
5.8 in
April
66°F (19°C)
5.0 in
May
74°F (23°C)
5.8 in
June
80°F (27°C)
4.7 in
July
83°F (28°C)
4.5 in
Warmest
August
82°F (28°C)
4.1 in
Driest
September
77°F (25°C)
4.4 in
October
67°F (20°C)
4.4 in
November
58°F (14°C)
5.2 in
December
51°F (11°C)
6.5 in
Wettest
Hessmer has a seasonal temperature swing of 33°F / from 49°F in January to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 61.0 inches, with December being the wettest month (6.5") and August the driest (4.1").