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Weather & Climate in Laurel, MS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Laurel enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 66°F (19°C). Winters average 47°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. The area gets 306 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 59.6 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 281 feet.
Temperature
47°F Jan (9°C)
82°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 65.5°F |
| 21% above US avg | |
| January Average | 47°F (9°C) |
| July Average | 82°F (28°C) |
| Sunny Days | 306 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 281 ft (86 m) |
| Area | 18.5 sq mi (47.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 928/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 31.6951°N, 89.1450°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Jones County County |
| Nearest Airport | Hattiesburg/Laurel Regional (PIB) 19 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 80.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 77.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 40.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
15 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.7.
| Jul 16, 1993 | 2 km SSW of Silas, Alabama | M3.7 | 76 km | 5 km |
| Mar 25, 1996 | 11 km NNE of Quitman, Mississippi | M3.5 | 66 km | 5 km |
| Jun 24, 1998 | 11 km W of Demopolis, Alabama | M3.4 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Mar 22, 2005 | 9 km NNE of Coffeeville, Alabama | M3.3 | 104 km | 5 km |
| May 3, 2015 | 7 km SSW of Canton, Mississippi | M3.2 | 130 km | 5 km |
| Jun 29, 2015 | 6 km SSW of Canton, Mississippi | M3.2 | 130 km | 5 km |
| May 16, 2008 | 10 km W of Coffeeville, Alabama | M3.1 | 90 km | 5 km |
| May 3, 2015 | 8 km WSW of Canton, Mississippi | M3.0 | 134 km | 5 km |
| Mar 15, 2025 | 5 km NNE of Magee, Mississippi | M3.0 | 58 km | 10 km |
| May 21, 2002 | 7 km ESE of York, Alabama | M3.0 | 121 km | 27 km |
| Aug 9, 2019 | Mississippi | M2.8 | 125 km | 5 km |
| May 7, 1998 | 9 km SSE of Bellamy, Alabama | M2.8 | 123 km | 10 km |
| Aug 17, 2015 | 9 km N of Madison, Mississippi | M2.6 | 131 km | 5 km |
| Mar 11, 2006 | 3 km NW of Epes, Alabama | M2.6 | 146 km | 31 km |
| Sep 5, 2000 | 2 km NNE of Sweet Water, Alabama | M2.5 | 130 km | 0 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
17 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 | 287 km |
| 2021 | Ida | Category 4 | 150 mph | 199 km |
| 2020 | Zeta | Category 3 | 115 mph | 40 km |
| 2020 | Sally | Category 2 | 109 mph | 193 km |
| 2017 | Nate | Category 1 | 86 mph | 145 km |
| 2012 | Isaac | Category 1 | 81 mph | 286 km |
| 2005 | Dennis | Category 4 | 127 mph | 202 km |
| 2005 | Katrina | Category 3 | 127 mph | 33 km |
| 2005 | Cindy | Category 1 | 75 mph | 292 km |
| 2004 | Ivan | Category 3 | 121 mph | 141 km |
| 1998 | Georges | Category 2 | 109 mph | 124 km |
| 1997 | Danny | Category 1 | 81 mph | 187 km |
| 1995 | Opal | Category 3 | 127 mph | 236 km |
| 1995 | Erin | Category 2 | 98 mph | 198 km |
| 1992 | Andrew | Category 4 | 138 mph | 277 km |
| 1988 | Florence | Category 1 | 81 mph | 267 km |
| 1985 | Elena | Category 3 | 121 mph | 127 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
771 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 61 fatalities, 1,506 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 12, 2020 | EF4 | 64 km | 67.4 mi | 7 |
| Feb 10, 2013 | EF4 | 55 km | 21.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 50 km | 122.0 mi | 7 |
| Nov 22, 1992 | EF4 | 39 km | 40.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 28, 1987 | EF4 | 24 km | 35.0 mi | 6 |
| Mar 12, 1986 | EF4 | 88 km | 23.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 18, 1978 | EF4 | 94 km | 19.1 mi | 4 |
| Mar 26, 1976 | EF4 | 83 km | 18.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 2, 1967 | EF4 | 91 km | 7.6 mi | 2 |
| May 1, 1953 | EF4 | 95 km | 0.1 mi | 2 |
| Jun 18, 2023 | EF3 | 38 km | 6.5 mi | 1 |
| Nov 30, 2022 | EF3 | 73 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 2020 | EF3 | 98 km | 83.2 mi | 0 |
| Dec 16, 2019 | EF3 | 4 km | 61.2 mi | 0 |
| Dec 16, 2019 | EF3 | 52 km | 18.6 mi | 0 |
| Dec 16, 2019 | EF3 | 53 km | 5.8 mi | 0 |
| Jan 21, 2017 | EF3 | 65 km | 31.1 mi | 4 |
| Dec 23, 2014 | EF3 | 84 km | 12.5 mi | 3 |
| Apr 28, 2014 | EF3 | 81 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2014 | EF3 | 7 km | 10.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WHITE DOG (12,306 acres, 2005).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2005 | WHITE DOG | 12,306 | 64 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 10,363 | 88 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 10,170 | 79 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 9,932 | 65 km |
| 2010 | DESOTO 0902 | 8,713 | 83 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 7,059 | 81 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 6,802 | 83 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 6,712 | 65 km |
| 2000 | COW PEN | 6,502 | 64 km |
| 2010 | CRIPPLE CHINOOK | 6,035 | 65 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 5,819 | 60 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 5,803 | 76 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 5,657 | 69 km |
| 1987 | MACHINE GUN | 5,601 | 65 km |
| 1990 | PIERCES CREEK | 5,544 | 66 km |
| 2020 | 369 D | 5,362 | 61 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 5,062 | 27 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 4,999 | 27 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 4,991 | 61 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 4,899 | 70 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 47°F (9°C) | 5.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 50°F (10°C) | 4.9 in | |
| March | 58°F (14°C) | 6.3 in | Wettest |
| April | 64°F (18°C) | 5.3 in | |
| May | 71°F (22°C) | 4.9 in | |
| June | 78°F (26°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 82°F (28°C) | 5.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 80°F (27°C) | 4.1 in | |
| September | 76°F (24°C) | 4.0 in | |
| October | 65°F (18°C) | 3.3 in | Driest |
| November | 56°F (13°C) | 4.7 in | |
| December | 49°F (10°C) | 5.5 in |
Laurel has a seasonal temperature swing of 35°F / from 47°F in January to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 58.2 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.3") and October the driest (3.3").