Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
McGehee enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. The area gets 304 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 56.3 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 151 feet.
Temperature
42°F Jan (6°C)81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average
63.0°F
17% above US avg
January Average
42°F (6°C)
July Average
81°F (27°C)
Sunny Days
304 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
151 ft (46 m)
Area
6.8 sq mi (17.5 km²)
Population Density
558/sq mi
Coordinates
33.6278°N, 91.3950°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Desha County County
Nearest Airport
Pinebluff Regional/Grider Field (PBF) 49 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall56.3"
48% above US avg
Snowfall1.3"
Wettest Month (Dec)5.55"
Driest Month (Aug)2.87"
Air Quality
AQI Median
43.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Very Low
Risk Score
32.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability
98.0 / 100
Community Resilience
53.2 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
Hurricane
Relatively Low
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Very Low
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Low
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Very Low
Lightning
Very Low
Ice Storm
Relatively Low
Drought
Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
Landslide
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
17 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M3.7.
Jan 8, 2019
8 km WNW of Hollandale, Mississippi
M3.7
64 km
16 km
Jun 10, 1994
4 km E of Junction City, Arkansas
M3.2
137 km
5 km
Oct 26, 2002
3 km SE of Alligator, Mississippi
M3.1
81 km
3 km
Aug 11, 1996
9 km WSW of Shaw, Mississippi
M3.1
49 km
10 km
Mar 3, 2001
2 km SSE of El Dorado, Arkansas
M3.0
127 km
5 km
May 16, 2007
5 km SW of Calion, Arkansas
M3.0
116 km
5 km
Dec 17, 2001
3 km WSW of El Dorado, Arkansas
M2.8
130 km
10 km
Aug 11, 2002
8 km ESE of Darling, Mississippi
M2.8
137 km
4 km
Jan 9, 1997
6 km E of El Dorado, Arkansas
M2.8
122 km
5 km
Feb 24, 2020
12 km ENE of Junction City, Arkansas
M2.8
128 km
14 km
May 11, 2020
13 km SSE of El Dorado, Arkansas
M2.8
127 km
12 km
Feb 11, 1991
10 km SSW of Clarksdale, Mississippi
M2.7
91 km
12 km
Oct 18, 2009
9 km SE of Redfield, Arkansas
M2.6
107 km
29 km
Apr 11, 1996
9 km ENE of Biscoe, Arkansas
M2.6
137 km
7 km
Dec 24, 1997
7 km W of El Dorado, Arkansas
M2.6
135 km
5 km
Jan 12, 2017
9 km E of Leola, Arkansas
M2.6
118 km
10 km
Oct 20, 1999
8 km NE of Clarendon, Arkansas
M2.5
127 km
9 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
2 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980.
Strongest on record: Category 1.
Year
Name
Category
Max Wind
Closest
2020
Laura
Category 2
98 mph
241 km
2005
Katrina
Category 1
92 mph
268 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
455 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 47 fatalities, 763 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Mar 24, 2023
EF4
95 km
59.2 mi
17
Nov 24, 2001
EF4
33 km
30.3 mi
0
Mar 9, 1992
EF4
80 km
20.0 mi
0
Apr 17, 1978
EF4
41 km
3.6 mi
0
Mar 28, 1975
EF4
68 km
5.4 mi
7
Apr 3, 1968
EF4
53 km
33.7 mi
5
Dec 23, 2015
EF3
76 km
61.6 mi
2
May 10, 2008
EF3
98 km
14.1 mi
0
Feb 24, 2007
EF3
35 km
29.1 mi
0
Nov 24, 2001
EF3
84 km
5.0 mi
0
Feb 24, 2001
EF3
7 km
42.0 mi
0
Nov 19, 1988
EF3
86 km
4.0 mi
0
May 14, 1983
EF3
98 km
0.8 mi
0
May 14, 1983
EF3
86 km
5.0 mi
0
Apr 8, 1979
EF3
62 km
17.7 mi
0
Apr 24, 1976
EF3
98 km
24.6 mi
0
Mar 20, 1976
EF3
72 km
4.6 mi
0
Jun 20, 1972
EF3
71 km
0.3 mi
0
Apr 21, 1972
EF3
96 km
12.8 mi
0
Feb 21, 1971
EF3
85 km
8.6 mi
3
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: UNNAMED (4,134 acres, 2006).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2006
UNNAMED
4,134
62 km
2006
MOLLICY WARREN
2,175
96 km
2000
UNNAMED
2,042
75 km
2012
LACEY
1,439
50 km
2010
DREW
1,283
31 km
2006
SHALLOW LAKE ROAD WEST 2 H
1,146
92 km
2013
SINGLETON CREEK
1,124
71 km
2007
BOULDIN HOUSE N 3F
1,061
94 km
2006
UNNAMED
1,057
82 km
2011
SHALLOW LAKE WEST
900
92 km
2000
SHALLOW LAKE W
892
92 km
1986
UNNAMED
889
93 km
1987
UNNAMED
839
94 km
1989
SHALLOW LAKE
820
92 km
1996
RIDGE ROAD
804
91 km
2006
PINE ISLAND
757
83 km
2014
ARFSR-FY14-RX-JONES LAKE
752
92 km
1995
BOULDINHSE
748
93 km
2007
EAGLE LAKE
742
92 km
2006
UNNAMED
741
92 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
42°F (6°C)
4.6 in
Coldest
February
47°F (8°C)
4.9 in
March
55°F (13°C)
5.5 in
April
63°F (17°C)
4.7 in
May
72°F (22°C)
4.7 in
June
79°F (26°C)
4.0 in
July
81°F (27°C)
4.3 in
Warmest
August
81°F (27°C)
2.9 in
Driest
September
75°F (24°C)
3.0 in
October
64°F (18°C)
3.7 in
November
54°F (12°C)
5.1 in
December
45°F (7°C)
5.6 in
Wettest
McGehee has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 42°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 52.8 inches, with December being the wettest month (5.6") and August the driest (2.9").