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Weather & Climate in Kensett, AR
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Kensett enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 83°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 51.8 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.8 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 225 feet.
Temperature
40°F Jan (4°C)
83°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 61.8°F |
| 14% above US avg | |
| January Average | 40°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 83°F (28°C) |
| Sunny Days | 301 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 225 ft (69 m) |
| Area | 1.9 sq mi (4.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,084/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.2352°N, 91.6713°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | White County County |
| Nearest Airport | Searcy Regional (SRC) 3 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 85.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 55.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 37.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
274 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.7.
| Feb 28, 2011 | 4 km NE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M4.7 | 62 km | 3 km |
| May 4, 2001 | 8 km NNW of Holland, Arkansas | M4.3 | 57 km | 8 km |
| Feb 10, 2005 | 3 km NNW of Etowah, Arkansas | M4.1 | 141 km | 15 km |
| Feb 18, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M4.1 | 64 km | 6 km |
| Apr 8, 2011 | 3 km NE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.9 | 63 km | 6 km |
| Oct 29, 2012 | 8 km SW of Parkin, Arkansas | M3.9 | 94 km | 21 km |
| Aug 22, 2000 | 19 km WNW of Maynard, Arkansas | M3.9 | 147 km | 10 km |
| Feb 18, 2011 | 3 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.9 | 64 km | 5 km |
| Sep 17, 1997 | 2 km E of Trumann, Arkansas | M3.8 | 118 km | 0 km |
| Feb 17, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.8 | 63 km | 6 km |
| Jun 4, 2014 | 3 km ESE of Fairfield Bay, Arkansas | M3.8 | 65 km | 0 km |
| Sep 12, 2019 | 13 km N of Big Flat, Arkansas | M3.7 | 119 km | 18 km |
| Apr 7, 2011 | 2 km NE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.7 | 64 km | 6 km |
| Feb 23, 2013 | 7 km SW of Trumann, Arkansas | M3.7 | 110 km | 14 km |
| Feb 28, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.6 | 64 km | 4 km |
| Feb 20, 2011 | 3 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.6 | 64 km | 5 km |
| Aug 20, 1994 | 4 km NE of Black Rock, Arkansas | M3.5 | 115 km | 10 km |
| Feb 25, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.5 | 64 km | 6 km |
| Mar 3, 2011 | 0 km N of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.5 | 65 km | 7 km |
| Mar 9, 2011 | 1 km NW of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.5 | 66 km | 6 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
629 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 228 fatalities, 2,799 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF4 | 92 km | 11.0 mi | 5 |
| Apr 14, 1996 | EF4 | 89 km | 44.0 mi | 7 |
| Mar 15, 1984 | EF4 | 80 km | 41.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 15, 1984 | EF4 | 48 km | 26.0 mi | 5 |
| May 26, 1973 | EF4 | 28 km | 54.8 mi | 3 |
| May 15, 1968 | EF4 | 71 km | 20.9 mi | 35 |
| May 15, 1968 | EF4 | 50 km | 0.3 mi | 7 |
| Apr 10, 1965 | EF4 | 74 km | 4.7 mi | 6 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 64 km | 0.1 mi | 4 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 46 km | 13.1 mi | 29 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 41 km | 7.6 mi | 2 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 3 km | 14.6 mi | 50 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF3 | 93 km | 34.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF3 | 65 km | 72.6 mi | 4 |
| Apr 30, 2010 | EF3 | 43 km | 7.7 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 2008 | EF3 | 83 km | 14.1 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 2008 | EF3 | 85 km | 45.3 mi | 5 |
| Apr 2, 2006 | EF3 | 57 km | 38.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 27, 2005 | EF3 | 96 km | 15.0 mi | 1 |
| May 4, 2003 | EF3 | 24 km | 43.0 mi | 0 |
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 | - | - | 122 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (4,493 acres, 2019).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 4,493 | 98 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 4,337 | 100 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 3,938 | 68 km |
| 2024 | RX BAD BRANCH 2 | 3,591 | 96 km |
| 2010 | CAMP | 2,772 | 68 km |
| 2010 | FIFTY SIX RX | 2,454 | 96 km |
| 2022 | FOZZIE | 2,172 | 99 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 2,138 | 93 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 2,100 | 96 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 2,063 | 91 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 1,944 | 97 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 1,918 | 96 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 1,886 | 96 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 1,853 | 97 km |
| 2024 | RX EXPERIMENTAL FOREST | 1,712 | 100 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 1,654 | 95 km |
| 2022 | LIVINGSTON | 1,522 | 99 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 1,511 | 63 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 1,336 | 97 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 1,314 | 69 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40°F (4°C) | 3.4 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 43°F (6°C) | 3.7 in | |
| March | 52°F (11°C) | 5.5 in | |
| April | 61°F (16°C) | 4.9 in | |
| May | 69°F (21°C) | 5.5 in | Wettest |
| June | 77°F (25°C) | 3.7 in | |
| July | 83°F (28°C) | 3.6 in | Warmest |
| August | 80°F (27°C) | 3.5 in | |
| September | 73°F (23°C) | 4.1 in | |
| October | 62°F (17°C) | 3.6 in | |
| November | 51°F (10°C) | 5.1 in | |
| December | 42°F (5°C) | 4.9 in |
Kensett has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 40°F in January to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 51.4 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.5") and January the driest (3.4").