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Weather & Climate in Jonesboro, AR
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Jonesboro enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 45°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. The area gets 302 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 51.1 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.3 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 276 feet.
Temperature
45°F Jan (7°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 62.8°F |
| 16% above US avg | |
| January Average | 45°F (7°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 302 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 276 ft (84 m) |
| Area | 80.4 sq mi (208.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 988/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.8198°N, 90.6790°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Craighead County County |
| Nearest Airport | Walnut Ridge Regional (ARG) 25 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 91.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 66.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 52.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| 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 High |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
366 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.5.
| May 4, 1991 | 2 km NNW of Risco, Missouri | M4.5 | 114 km | 11 km |
| May 1, 2005 | 5 km SSE of Manila, Arkansas | M4.2 | 48 km | 10 km |
| Feb 10, 2005 | 3 km NNW of Etowah, Arkansas | M4.1 | 39 km | 15 km |
| Jun 2, 2005 | 12 km S of Ridgely, Tennessee | M4.0 | 115 km | 15 km |
| Apr 30, 2003 | 1 km N of Blytheville, Arkansas | M4.0 | 70 km | 24 km |
| Oct 21, 1999 | 9 km NW of Maynard, Arkansas | M3.9 | 78 km | 10 km |
| Oct 29, 2012 | 8 km SW of Parkin, Arkansas | M3.9 | 69 km | 21 km |
| Jul 7, 1991 | 11 km ENE of Brandsville, Missouri | M3.9 | 125 km | 8 km |
| Aug 22, 2000 | 19 km WNW of Maynard, Arkansas | M3.9 | 82 km | 10 km |
| Nov 29, 1996 | 1 km W of Blytheville, Arkansas | M3.8 | 68 km | 19 km |
| May 16, 2024 | 6 km S of Ridgely, Tennessee | M3.8 | 116 km | 8 km |
| Sep 17, 1997 | 2 km E of Trumann, Arkansas | M3.8 | 24 km | 0 km |
| Jun 4, 2014 | 3 km ESE of Fairfield Bay, Arkansas | M3.8 | 144 km | 0 km |
| Feb 23, 2013 | 7 km SW of Trumann, Arkansas | M3.7 | 24 km | 14 km |
| Aug 16, 2003 | 5 km W of Thomasville, Missouri | M3.7 | 136 km | 0 km |
| Apr 24, 2019 | 12 km NNW of Dyersburg, Tennessee | M3.7 | 117 km | 14 km |
| Oct 15, 2017 | 6 km SE of Manila, Arkansas | M3.6 | 51 km | 17 km |
| Jan 16, 2018 | 4 km SW of Caruthersville, Missouri | M3.6 | 97 km | 9 km |
| Apr 2, 2015 | 1 km WNW of Cooter, Missouri | M3.6 | 81 km | 10 km |
| Sep 22, 2011 | 6 km E of Grandin, Missouri | M3.6 | 111 km | 11 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
537 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 133 fatalities, 1,943 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Dec 10, 2021 | EF4 | 12 km | 81.2 mi | 8 |
| Jan 21, 1999 | EF4 | 53 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 1998 | EF4 | 45 km | 5.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF4 | 92 km | 15.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF4 | 45 km | 20.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 15, 1984 | EF4 | 63 km | 26.0 mi | 5 |
| Dec 24, 1982 | EF4 | 94 km | 63.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 22, 1981 | EF4 | 90 km | 63.0 mi | 1 |
| May 26, 1973 | EF4 | 87 km | 54.8 mi | 3 |
| May 15, 1968 | EF4 | 46 km | 20.9 mi | 35 |
| May 15, 1968 | EF4 | 74 km | 0.3 mi | 7 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 53 km | 0.1 mi | 4 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 82 km | 6.5 mi | 17 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF3 | 86 km | 39.2 mi | 1 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF3 | 75 km | 72.6 mi | 4 |
| Mar 28, 2020 | EF3 | 1 km | 12.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 30, 2010 | EF3 | 68 km | 7.7 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 2008 | EF3 | 67 km | 20.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2006 | EF3 | 75 km | 38.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2006 | EF3 | 52 km | 77.0 mi | 2 |
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 | — | — | 35 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
4 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WOLF MOUNTAIN RX (3,140 acres, 2024).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2024 | WOLF MOUNTAIN RX | 3,140 | 100 km |
| 2005 | WOLF MTN | 2,801 | 98 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 1,783 | 83 km |
| 2005 | WAPANOCCA LAKE | 725 | 66 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 45°F (7°C) | 3.3 in | |
| February | 42°F (5°C) | 3.6 in | |
| March | 51°F (10°C) | 4.8 in | |
| April | 60°F (16°C) | 5.0 in | |
| May | 69°F (21°C) | 5.1 in | Wettest |
| June | 77°F (25°C) | 3.3 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 2.8 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 3.1 in | |
| September | 72°F (22°C) | 3.8 in | |
| October | 61°F (16°C) | 3.3 in | |
| November | 50°F (10°C) | 4.8 in | |
| December | 41°F (5°C) | 4.5 in | Coldest |
Jonesboro has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 41°F in December to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.4 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.1") and July the driest (2.8").