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Weather & Climate in Little Rock, AR

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Little Rock enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 82°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 48.3 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 2.5 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 279 feet.

Temperature

48°F Jan (9°C) 82°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average64.3°F
19% above US avg
January Average48°F (9°C)
July Average82°F (28°C)
Sunny Days301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation279 ft (85 m)
Area121.0 sq mi (313.4 km²)
Population Density1,672/sq mi
Coordinates34.7254°N, 92.3586°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyPulaski County County
Nearest AirportBill And Hillary Clinton Ntl/Adams Field (LIT)
8 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 48.3"
27% above US avg
Snowfall 2.5"
Wettest Month (Nov) 5.39"
Driest Month (Aug) 3.19"

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively High
Risk Score96.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability61.3 / 100
Community Resilience80.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very High
Hurricane Relatively Low
Earthquake Relatively High
Wildfire Relatively Low
Flood Relatively High
Hail Relatively High
Strong Wind Relatively High
Heat Wave Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather Very High
Lightning Very High
Ice Storm Very High
Drought Very Low
Cold Wave Relatively Moderate
Landslide Relatively Moderate
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

230 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 60 km 3 km
May 4, 2001 8 km NNW of Holland, Arkansas M4.3 58 km 8 km
Feb 18, 2011 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas M4.1 61 km 6 km
Feb 18, 2011 3 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas M3.9 59 km 5 km
Apr 8, 2011 3 km NE of Greenbrier, Arkansas M3.9 60 km 6 km
Jun 4, 2014 3 km ESE of Fairfield Bay, Arkansas M3.8 96 km 0 km
Feb 17, 2011 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas M3.8 61 km 6 km
Apr 7, 2011 2 km NE of Greenbrier, Arkansas M3.7 58 km 6 km
Feb 28, 2011 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas M3.6 61 km 4 km
Feb 20, 2011 3 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas M3.6 59 km 5 km
Mar 9, 2011 1 km NW of Greenbrier, Arkansas M3.5 58 km 6 km
Nov 15, 1990 16 km NNW of Hector, Arkansas M3.5 116 km 29 km
Mar 3, 2011 0 km N of Greenbrier, Arkansas M3.5 57 km 7 km
Feb 25, 2011 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas M3.5 61 km 6 km
Feb 16, 2011 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas M3.5 61 km 7 km
Apr 8, 2011 2 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas M3.5 59 km 6 km
Jun 27, 2000 15 km WSW of Marshall, Arkansas M3.4 130 km 0 km
May 22, 2013 16 km WSW of Center Ridge, Arkansas M3.4 72 km 5 km
May 24, 2013 16 km WSW of Center Ridge, Arkansas M3.4 72 km 6 km
Feb 19, 2011 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas M3.4 60 km 7 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

626 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 174 fatalities, 2,135 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Apr 27, 2014 EF4 28 km 41.1 mi 16
Feb 5, 2008 EF4 77 km 121.8 mi 13
Mar 1, 1997 EF4 27 km 14.0 mi 10
Mar 1, 1997 EF4 87 km 24.0 mi 0
Mar 1, 1997 EF4 12 km 11.0 mi 5
Mar 15, 1984 EF4 95 km 41.0 mi 2
Apr 10, 1965 EF4 37 km 4.7 mi 6
Mar 21, 1952 EF4 81 km 14.6 mi 50
Mar 21, 1952 EF4 50 km 7.6 mi 2
Mar 31, 2023 EF3 11 km 34.2 mi 0
Apr 25, 2011 EF3 64 km 16.8 mi 1
Apr 30, 2010 EF3 85 km 20.3 mi 1
May 10, 2008 EF3 75 km 14.1 mi 0
May 2, 2008 EF3 69 km 45.3 mi 5
Nov 27, 2005 EF3 53 km 19.0 mi 0
Nov 27, 2005 EF3 54 km 2.0 mi 0
Nov 27, 2005 EF3 55 km 15.0 mi 1
May 4, 2003 EF3 94 km 43.0 mi 0
May 4, 2003 EF3 31 km 34.9 mi 0
Dec 18, 2002 EF3 42 km 9.8 mi 1
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (8,607 acres, 2013).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2013 UNNAMED 8,607 68 km
2006 UNNAMED 5,604 64 km
2006 FLATSIDE 5,256 63 km
2024 RX MIDDLE NORTH FORK UNITS 3/4/5/6 4,854 87 km
2006 UNNAMED 4,553 48 km
2022 EAST END BEAR MOUNTAIN 4,472 89 km
2010 REDBANK CREEK NORTH 4,466 94 km
2013 UNNAMED 4,461 65 km
2003 UNNAMED 4,436 72 km
2006 UNNAMED 4,109 89 km
2003 UNNAMED 3,997 67 km
2014 UNNAMED 3,968 67 km
2021 CW CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN 3,943 96 km
2000 UNNAMED 3,938 18 km
2019 RXBURN 3,922 97 km
2024 RX EAST END BEAR MTN 3,498 89 km
2024 RX LOWER LAKE WINONA UNIT 07 3,373 47 km
2007 UNNAMED 3,311 94 km
2020 HICKORY NUT MOUNTAIN 3,262 96 km
2006 UNNAMED 3,235 97 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 48°F (9°C) 3.4 in
February 45°F (7°C) 3.5 in
March 54°F (12°C) 5.0 in
April 62°F (17°C) 5.3 in
May 70°F (21°C) 5.2 in
June 77°F (25°C) 4.0 in
July 82°F (28°C) 3.6 in Warmest
August 80°F (27°C) 3.2 in Driest
September 73°F (23°C) 3.9 in
October 63°F (17°C) 4.1 in
November 52°F (11°C) 5.4 in Wettest
December 43°F (6°C) 4.9 in Coldest

Little Rock has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 43°F in December to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 51.6 inches, with November being the wettest month (5.4") and August the driest (3.2").

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