Weather & Climate in Oak Ridge, MO
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Oak Ridge enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 50.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 7.5 inches of snow annually. The city sits at an elevation of 614 feet.
Temperature
32°F Jan (0°C)
80°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 56.9°F |
| 5% above US avg | |
| January Average | 32°F (0°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (26°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 614 ft (187 m) |
| Area | 0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 437/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.5012°N, 89.7298°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| Nearest Airport | Cape Girardeau Regional (CGI) 22 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
298 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.8.
| Sep 26, 1990 | 4 km SE of Chaffee, Missouri | M4.8 | 40 km | 1 km |
| May 4, 1991 | 2 km NNW of Risco, Missouri | M4.5 | 103 km | 11 km |
| Feb 5, 1994 | 2 km WNW of Dongola, Illinois | M4.2 | 50 km | 16 km |
| Jun 6, 2003 | 1 km NE of Bardwell, Kentucky | M4.0 | 95 km | 3 km |
| Jun 7, 2011 | 18 km NNW of Potosi, Missouri | M3.9 | 121 km | 21 km |
| Feb 21, 2012 | 4 km SSE of Bertrand, Missouri | M3.9 | 75 km | 8 km |
| May 16, 2024 | 6 km S of Ridgely, Tennessee | M3.8 | 146 km | 8 km |
| Mar 2, 2010 | 2 km ENE of East Prairie, Missouri | M3.7 | 86 km | 8 km |
| Jan 16, 2018 | 4 km SW of Caruthersville, Missouri | M3.6 | 149 km | 9 km |
| Jan 2, 2006 | 3 km NNE of Eldorado, Illinois | M3.6 | 122 km | 7 km |
| Sep 22, 2011 | 6 km E of Grandin, Missouri | M3.6 | 118 km | 11 km |
| Jun 20, 2005 | 4 km WSW of Blandville, Kentucky | M3.6 | 91 km | 19 km |
| Mar 15, 2017 | 9 km ESE of Wyatt, Missouri | M3.6 | 87 km | 8 km |
| May 1, 2016 | 5 km SE of New Grand Chain, Illinois | M3.5 | 73 km | 16 km |
| Jul 16, 2004 | 6 km SE of Wyatt, Missouri | M3.5 | 86 km | 4 km |
| Jun 15, 2004 | 3 km S of Canalou, Missouri | M3.5 | 86 km | 5 km |
| Sep 9, 2016 | 9 km NW of Tiptonville, Tennessee | M3.4 | 118 km | 10 km |
| Sep 26, 1994 | 4 km ENE of Blandville, Kentucky | M3.4 | 94 km | 13 km |
| Apr 28, 1993 | 8 km SSE of Ridgely, Tennessee | M3.4 | 147 km | 7 km |
| Aug 12, 2013 | 7 km S of Hornbeak, Tennessee | M3.3 | 143 km | 4 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
574 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 63 fatalities, 967 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Dec 18, 1957 | EF5 | 77 km | 5.4 mi | 1 |
| Feb 28, 2017 | EF4 | 35 km | 53.5 mi | 1 |
| Feb 29, 2012 | EF4 | 98 km | 26.1 mi | 8 |
| Sep 22, 2006 | EF4 | 22 km | 27.5 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 2003 | EF4 | 67 km | 33.0 mi | 2 |
| May 29, 1982 | EF4 | 62 km | 17.0 mi | 10 |
| Jun 22, 1969 | EF4 | 77 km | 15.1 mi | 4 |
| Dec 18, 1957 | EF4 | 31 km | 28.3 mi | 11 |
| May 26, 2024 | EF3 | 78 km | 19.6 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 2024 | EF3 | 64 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Oct 24, 2021 | EF3 | 59 km | 18.8 mi | 0 |
| Oct 24, 2021 | EF3 | 64 km | 16.7 mi | 0 |
| Nov 17, 2013 | EF3 | 53 km | 14.3 mi | 0 |
| Nov 17, 2013 | EF3 | 88 km | 42.5 mi | 3 |
| Feb 29, 2012 | EF3 | 78 km | 20.0 mi | 1 |
| Sep 22, 2006 | EF3 | 89 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 11, 2006 | EF3 | 43 km | 53.5 mi | 2 |
| Mar 11, 2006 | EF3 | 87 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 2003 | EF3 | 15 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF3 | 91 km | 22.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WYLIE KING 1 (6,077 acres, 2010).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2010 | WYLIE KING 1 | 6,077 | 100 km |
| 2021 | RED SHALE UNIT RX | 2,123 | 61 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,627 | 37 km |
| 2019 | ATWOOD RIDGE RX | 1,622 | 37 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 1,552 | 81 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 1,510 | 98 km |
| 2024 | ESSMAN SPRING RX | 1,495 | 98 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 1,483 | 81 km |
| 2020 | UNNAMED | 1,334 | 46 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 1,260 | 91 km |
| 2024 | RED SHALE RX | 1,259 | 60 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 1,257 | 38 km |
| 2021 | OZARK HILL PRAIRIE RX | 1,235 | 38 km |
| 2019 | KINKAID RX | 1,215 | 43 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 1,187 | 93 km |
| 2022 | KINKAID STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AREA RX | 1,115 | 43 km |
| 2024 | PINE HOLLOW RX | 1,038 | 98 km |
| 2021 | STATE OF ILLINOIS TRACT RX | 1,011 | 43 km |
| 2022 | BEAN RIDGE RX | 955 | 41 km |
| 2021 | MILL CREEK RX | 898 | 43 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F (0°C) | 3.3 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 36°F (2°C) | 3.7 in | |
| March | 46°F (8°C) | 5.0 in | |
| April | 57°F (14°C) | 5.5 in | |
| May | 67°F (20°C) | 5.5 in | Wettest |
| June | 76°F (24°C) | 4.2 in | |
| July | 80°F (26°C) | 4.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 78°F (26°C) | 3.6 in | |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 3.4 in | |
| October | 58°F (15°C) | 3.7 in | |
| November | 45°F (7°C) | 4.6 in | |
| December | 36°F (2°C) | 3.7 in |
Oak Ridge has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 32°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 50.5 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.5") and January the driest (3.3").