Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Little Rock enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. The area gets 310 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 48.6 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 130 feet.
Temperature
44°F Jan (7°C)81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average
62.7°F
16% above US avg
January Average
44°F (7°C)
July Average
81°F (27°C)
Sunny Days
310 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
130 ft (40 m)
Area
2.5 sq mi (6.4 km²)
Population Density
229/sq mi
Coordinates
34.4691°N, 79.3899°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Dillon County County
Nearest Airport
Lumberton Regional (LBT) 21 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall48.6"
28% above US avg
Snowfall0.8"
Wettest Month (Jul)5.51"
Driest Month (Nov)2.83"
Air Quality
AQI Median
43.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Moderate
Risk Score
84.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability
87.6 / 100
Community Resilience
25.8 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Moderate
Hurricane
Relatively High
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Relatively Low
Flood
Relatively Low
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively High
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Low
Lightning
Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm
Relatively Moderate
Drought
Relatively Low
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
Landslide
Very Low
Coastal Flood
No Rating
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
15 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M3.9.
Apr 13, 1998
9 km S of Kershaw, South Carolina
M3.9
111 km
7 km
Jun 29, 2022
6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina
M3.6
127 km
3 km
Jun 29, 2022
6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina
M3.5
128 km
3 km
Jun 26, 2022
6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina
M3.4
127 km
4 km
May 9, 2022
5 km ESE of Elgin, South Carolina
M3.3
128 km
4 km
Jan 29, 1994
12 km NNE of Alcolu, South Carolina
M2.9
98 km
2 km
Mar 21, 2011
9 km S of Cordova, North Carolina
M2.9
57 km
8 km
May 10, 2022
5 km E of Elgin, South Carolina
M2.8
128 km
2 km
Mar 9, 2024
5 km E of Elgin, South Carolina
M2.7
128 km
3 km
Jan 5, 2022
5 km SW of Lugoff, South Carolina
M2.6
127 km
0 km
Apr 26, 2025
6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina
M2.6
127 km
2 km
May 10, 2022
6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina
M2.6
127 km
2 km
Jan 3, 2022
5 km S of Lugoff, South Carolina
M2.5
125 km
2 km
Sep 15, 2024
6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina
M2.5
127 km
2 km
Jul 29, 2012
7 km NNW of Wallace, South Carolina
M2.5
56 km
14 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
22 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980.
Strongest on record: Category 4.
Year
Name
Category
Max Wind
Closest
2022
Ian
Category 1
81 mph
131 km
2020
Isaias
Category 1
92 mph
104 km
2019
Dorian
Category 3
115 mph
182 km
2018
Florence
Category 2
104 mph
105 km
2016
Matthew
Category 2
98 mph
114 km
2014
Arthur
Category 2
98 mph
182 km
2011
Irene
Category 1
86 mph
251 km
2005
Ophelia
Category 1
86 mph
185 km
2004
Alex
Category 2
98 mph
246 km
2004
Charley
Category 1
81 mph
98 km
2004
Gaston
Category 1
75 mph
165 km
2003
Isabel
Category 2
104 mph
263 km
1999
Irene
Category 2
92 mph
211 km
1999
Floyd
Category 2
104 mph
148 km
1999
Dennis
Category 2
104 mph
249 km
1998
Bonnie
Category 3
115 mph
155 km
1996
Fran
Category 3
115 mph
103 km
1996
Bertha
Category 2
104 mph
147 km
1989
Hugo
Category 4
138 mph
137 km
1986
Charley
Category 1
75 mph
256 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
383 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 47 fatalities, 1,463 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Nov 7, 1995
EF4
36 km
0.7 mi
0
Mar 28, 1984
EF4
50 km
7.0 mi
0
Mar 28, 1984
EF4
39 km
17.0 mi
7
Mar 28, 1984
EF4
26 km
40.0 mi
4
Apr 8, 1957
EF4
29 km
0.8 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF3
97 km
65.2 mi
6
Apr 16, 2011
EF3
65 km
52.9 mi
2
Mar 28, 1984
EF3
62 km
40.0 mi
12
May 20, 1980
EF3
18 km
10.7 mi
0
Feb 22, 1971
EF3
80 km
85.7 mi
2
Apr 18, 1969
EF3
68 km
77.3 mi
0
Apr 18, 1969
EF3
97 km
25.8 mi
0
Nov 24, 1967
EF3
62 km
3.3 mi
0
Aug 17, 1965
EF3
97 km
0.3 mi
0
Aug 29, 1964
EF3
37 km
21.9 mi
0
Oct 9, 1950
EF3
80 km
2.0 mi
0
Apr 13, 2020
EF2
71 km
0.2 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF2
79 km
29.9 mi
3
Apr 16, 2011
EF2
56 km
13.1 mi
1
Apr 25, 2010
EF2
52 km
3.0 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: HIGHWAY 31 (17,004 acres, 2009).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2009
HIGHWAY 31
17,004
89 km
1991
UNNAMED
3,968
48 km
1997
UNNAMED
3,111
95 km
1991
UNNAMED
3,094
82 km
1985
UNNAMED
2,743
50 km
1986
UNNAMED
2,642
89 km
2008
05/05 RX BURN
2,351
80 km
2001
UNNAMED
2,204
91 km
2007
06-09 RX BURN
2,054
79 km
2022
SCCRR-FY22-RX-PRESCRIBED FIRE
2,039
82 km
2000
UNNAMED
1,989
92 km
2007
LONGBRANCH-ROBESON COMPLEX
1,944
32 km
1998
981406
1,892
75 km
1994
CM 15 16 17
1,871
72 km
2021
SLATES CHURCH FIRE
1,824
56 km
1994
COMP 1112
1,798
83 km
1998
980803
1,780
75 km
2000
2000 1003
1,768
80 km
1999
19990505
1,756
80 km
2016
COUNTY LINE ROAD FIRE
1,704
61 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
44°F (7°C)
3.8 in
Coldest
February
47°F (8°C)
3.6 in
March
54°F (12°C)
4.4 in
April
62°F (17°C)
2.9 in
May
70°F (21°C)
3.6 in
June
77°F (25°C)
4.7 in
July
81°F (27°C)
5.5 in
Warmest, Wettest
August
79°F (26°C)
5.2 in
September
74°F (23°C)
3.5 in
October
63°F (17°C)
3.0 in
November
54°F (12°C)
2.8 in
Driest
December
46°F (8°C)
3.2 in
Little Rock has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 44°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.2 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.5") and November the driest (2.8").