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Weather & Climate in Meridian, MS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Meridian enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 66°F (19°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 83°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 57.0 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 394 feet.
Temperature
48°F Jan (9°C)
83°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 65.9°F |
| 22% above US avg | |
| January Average | 48°F (9°C) |
| July Average | 83°F (28°C) |
| Sunny Days | 304 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 394 ft (120 m) |
| Area | 53.7 sq mi (139.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 641/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 32.3842°N, 88.6894°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Lauderdale County County |
| Nearest Airport | Golden Triangle Regional (GTR) 74 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 87.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 87.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 57.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
31 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 | 78 km | 5 km |
| Jun 30, 2015 | 12 km W of Union, Alabama | M3.5 | 90 km | 0 km |
| Mar 25, 1996 | 11 km NNE of Quitman, Mississippi | M3.5 | 28 km | 5 km |
| May 28, 1995 | 14 km WSW of Coker, Alabama | M3.4 | 121 km | 1 km |
| Jun 24, 1998 | 11 km W of Demopolis, Alabama | M3.4 | 70 km | 5 km |
| Mar 22, 2005 | 9 km NNE of Coffeeville, Alabama | M3.3 | 85 km | 5 km |
| May 3, 2015 | 7 km SSW of Canton, Mississippi | M3.2 | 132 km | 5 km |
| Jun 29, 2015 | 6 km SSW of Canton, Mississippi | M3.2 | 131 km | 5 km |
| Mar 12, 2015 | 14 km W of Union, Alabama | M3.1 | 87 km | 0 km |
| May 16, 2008 | 10 km W of Coffeeville, Alabama | M3.1 | 82 km | 5 km |
| Feb 27, 2015 | 11 km WSW of Union, Alabama | M3.1 | 89 km | 0 km |
| May 21, 2002 | 7 km ESE of York, Alabama | M3.0 | 45 km | 27 km |
| Sep 11, 1992 | 5 km SSE of Riverview, Alabama | M3.0 | 141 km | 7 km |
| Mar 15, 2025 | 5 km NNE of Magee, Mississippi | M3.0 | 108 km | 10 km |
| May 3, 2015 | 8 km WSW of Canton, Mississippi | M3.0 | 135 km | 5 km |
| Sep 13, 1998 | 6 km NNE of Coker, Alabama | M2.9 | 141 km | 16 km |
| May 7, 1998 | 9 km SSE of Bellamy, Alabama | M2.8 | 54 km | 10 km |
| Aug 9, 2019 | Mississippi | M2.8 | 127 km | 5 km |
| Feb 19, 2015 | 14 km W of Union, Alabama | M2.8 | 89 km | 0 km |
| Aug 13, 2015 | 9 km WSW of Union, Alabama | M2.7 | 90 km | 1 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
12 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 3.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2021 | Ida | Category 3 | 121 mph | 282 km |
| 2020 | Sally | Category 2 | 109 mph | 214 km |
| 2020 | Zeta | Category 2 | 98 mph | 111 km |
| 2017 | Nate | Category 1 | 75 mph | 223 km |
| 2005 | Dennis | Category 3 | 127 mph | 220 km |
| 2005 | Katrina | Category 3 | 121 mph | 86 km |
| 2004 | Ivan | Category 3 | 121 mph | 144 km |
| 1998 | Georges | Category 2 | 104 mph | 199 km |
| 1997 | Danny | Category 1 | 81 mph | 233 km |
| 1995 | Opal | Category 3 | 115 mph | 208 km |
| 1995 | Erin | Category 2 | 98 mph | 228 km |
| 1985 | Elena | Category 3 | 121 mph | 215 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
648 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 68 fatalities, 929 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF5 | 61 km | 28.3 mi | 3 |
| Apr 28, 2014 | EF4 | 89 km | 33.4 mi | 10 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 86 km | 122.0 mi | 7 |
| Nov 22, 1992 | EF4 | 98 km | 40.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 1986 | EF4 | 9 km | 23.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 23, 1977 | EF4 | 87 km | 15.0 mi | 2 |
| May 27, 1973 | EF4 | 85 km | 139.1 mi | 7 |
| Dec 2, 1967 | EF4 | 74 km | 7.6 mi | 2 |
| May 1, 1953 | EF4 | 33 km | 0.1 mi | 2 |
| Jun 18, 2023 | EF3 | 70 km | 6.5 mi | 1 |
| Mar 22, 2022 | EF3 | 31 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 25, 2021 | EF3 | 95 km | 79.7 mi | 0 |
| Dec 16, 2019 | EF3 | 91 km | 61.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2014 | EF3 | 81 km | 10.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2014 | EF3 | 72 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 11, 2013 | EF3 | 33 km | 66.4 mi | 1 |
| Oct 17, 2012 | EF3 | 72 km | 14.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 48 km | 10.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 98 km | 8.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 65 km | 72.1 mi | 7 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (5,062 acres, 2005).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 5,062 | 93 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 4,999 | 97 km |
| 2021 | CHICKASAWHAY - CPT 398 399 | 4,697 | 94 km |
| 2014 | BIEN 75-78 | 4,658 | 80 km |
| 2021 | BIENVILLE - CPT 38-39-40 | 4,545 | 87 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 4,500 | 89 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 4,245 | 97 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 4,189 | 100 km |
| 2010 | CPT 341 | 4,101 | 92 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 4,007 | 85 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 3,956 | 97 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 3,794 | 89 km |
| 2010 | COMP 222-223-224 | 3,745 | 80 km |
| 2016 | MSNXR FY16 RX 1703B | 3,633 | 95 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 3,616 | 96 km |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 3,605 | 94 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 3,593 | 96 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 3,556 | 67 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 3,547 | 93 km |
| 2010 | CPT 393 | 3,474 | 89 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 48°F (9°C) | 5.6 in | |
| February | 49°F (9°C) | 5.3 in | |
| March | 56°F (13°C) | 6.7 in | Wettest |
| April | 63°F (17°C) | 5.6 in | |
| May | 71°F (22°C) | 4.7 in | |
| June | 78°F (25°C) | 3.8 in | |
| July | 83°F (28°C) | 5.6 in | Warmest |
| August | 80°F (27°C) | 3.6 in | |
| September | 75°F (24°C) | 3.6 in | |
| October | 64°F (18°C) | 3.4 in | Driest |
| November | 55°F (13°C) | 4.7 in | |
| December | 48°F (9°C) | 5.6 in | Coldest |
Meridian has a seasonal temperature swing of 35°F / from 48°F in December to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 58.0 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.7") and October the driest (3.4").