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Weather & Climate in Independence, MS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Independence enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (16°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. The area gets 301 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 55.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.6 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 362 feet.
Temperature
39°F Jan (4°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 60.0°F |
| 11% above US avg | |
| January Average | 39°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 301 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 362 ft (110 m) |
| Area | 1.8 sq mi (4.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 59/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.7078°N, 89.8075°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Tate County County |
| Nearest Airport | Memphis International (MEM) 25 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 41.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 54.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 36.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
85 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.2.
| May 1, 2005 | 5 km SSE of Manila, Arkansas | M4.2 | 129 km | 10 km |
| Feb 10, 2005 | 3 km NNW of Etowah, Arkansas | M4.1 | 124 km | 15 km |
| Apr 30, 2003 | 1 km N of Blytheville, Arkansas | M4.0 | 138 km | 24 km |
| Oct 29, 2012 | 8 km SW of Parkin, Arkansas | M3.9 | 93 km | 21 km |
| Nov 29, 1996 | 1 km W of Blytheville, Arkansas | M3.8 | 136 km | 19 km |
| Sep 17, 1997 | 2 km E of Trumann, Arkansas | M3.8 | 123 km | 0 km |
| Feb 23, 2013 | 7 km SW of Trumann, Arkansas | M3.7 | 123 km | 14 km |
| Oct 15, 2017 | 6 km SE of Manila, Arkansas | M3.6 | 128 km | 17 km |
| Apr 2, 2015 | 1 km WNW of Cooter, Missouri | M3.6 | 149 km | 10 km |
| Aug 25, 2015 | 9 km W of Henning, Tennessee | M3.5 | 107 km | 13 km |
| Jan 8, 1993 | 6 km WSW of Gosnell, Arkansas | M3.5 | 137 km | 22 km |
| Aug 29, 1990 | 9 km WSW of Central, Tennessee | M3.4 | 121 km | 15 km |
| Apr 23, 1994 | 7 km W of Gosnell, Arkansas | M3.2 | 142 km | 5 km |
| Jul 17, 2013 | 7 km SW of Trumann, Arkansas | M3.2 | 123 km | 14 km |
| Aug 19, 1994 | 9 km WSW of Gilt Edge, Tennessee | M3.2 | 90 km | 11 km |
| May 10, 2008 | 1 km SSE of Sherman, Mississippi | M3.1 | 98 km | 0 km |
| Oct 26, 2002 | 3 km SE of Alligator, Mississippi | M3.1 | 108 km | 3 km |
| Aug 1, 2025 | 3 km SW of Blytheville, Arkansas | M3.1 | 134 km | 13 km |
| Aug 7, 2015 | 16 km W of Millington, Tennessee | M3.0 | 77 km | 4 km |
| Feb 11, 1991 | 2 km NNW of Blytheville, Arkansas | M3.0 | 139 km | 14 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
388 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 129 fatalities, 1,285 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Dec 23, 2015 | EF4 | 16 km | 75.1 mi | 9 |
| Apr 19, 1970 | EF4 | 74 km | 47.6 mi | 4 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 98 km | 46.8 mi | 38 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 22 km | 29.6 mi | 16 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF3 | 84 km | 39.2 mi | 1 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 60 km | 13.6 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 2010 | EF3 | 57 km | 29.6 mi | 3 |
| May 2, 2008 | EF3 | 87 km | 20.2 mi | 0 |
| Feb 5, 2008 | EF3 | 42 km | 7.2 mi | 0 |
| Feb 5, 2008 | EF3 | 84 km | 31.1 mi | 3 |
| Feb 24, 2001 | EF3 | 86 km | 52.0 mi | 6 |
| Jan 3, 2000 | EF3 | 64 km | 43.2 mi | 0 |
| Jan 17, 1999 | EF3 | 98 km | 22.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF3 | 72 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF3 | 80 km | 30.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF3 | 79 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF3 | 72 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 27, 1994 | EF3 | 40 km | 16.0 mi | 3 |
| Mar 22, 1991 | EF3 | 58 km | 23.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 19, 1988 | EF3 | 52 km | 22.0 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 | — | — | 113 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: COMP 109 (3,663 acres, 2010).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2010 | COMP 109 | 3,663 | 55 km |
| 2014 | C-55 CHILLI LAKE | 3,555 | 61 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 3,152 | 45 km |
| 2014 | C-39 EAST CHEWALLA | 3,107 | 45 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 3,031 | 62 km |
| 2022 | HOLLY SPRINGS BB 119/90/88 | 2,955 | 45 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,848 | 45 km |
| 2014 | C-84 BAGLEY BOTTOMS | 2,766 | 44 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,645 | 57 km |
| 2013 | MIDWAY CEM PRESCRIBED BURN | 2,513 | 46 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,376 | 86 km |
| 2013 | PUSKUS LAKE | 2,271 | 52 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,248 | 49 km |
| 2022 | HOLLY SPRINGS BB 51/52/53 | 2,182 | 63 km |
| 2010 | COMP 42 | 2,142 | 45 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,073 | 44 km |
| 2022 | HOLLY SPRINGS BB10 11 12 14 | 1,977 | 73 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 1,972 | 53 km |
| 2014 | C-109 | 1,863 | 57 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 1,841 | 55 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 39°F (4°C) | 4.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 43°F (6°C) | 4.4 in | |
| March | 52°F (11°C) | 5.8 in | Wettest |
| April | 60°F (16°C) | 5.6 in | |
| May | 69°F (20°C) | 5.4 in | |
| June | 76°F (25°C) | 4.6 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 4.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 3.2 in | Driest |
| September | 73°F (23°C) | 3.4 in | |
| October | 61°F (16°C) | 3.6 in | |
| November | 51°F (11°C) | 5.3 in | |
| December | 43°F (6°C) | 5.6 in |
Independence has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 39°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 55.3 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.8") and August the driest (3.2").