Weather & Climate in Olive Branch, MS

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

Olive Branch enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 40°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 59.2 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.5 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 371 feet.

Temperature

40°F Jan (5°C) 82°F Jul (28°C)

Annual Average	61.8°F
	14% above US avg
January Average	40°F (5°C)
July Average	82°F (28°C)
Sunny Days	301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	371 ft (113 m)
Area	36.9 sq mi (95.6 km²)
Population Density	834/sq mi
Coordinates	34.9558°N, 89.8412°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	DeSoto County County
Nearest Airport	Memphis International (MEM) 10 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 59.2"

56% above US avg

Snowfall 1.5"

Wettest Month (Apr) 5.75"

Driest Month (Aug) 3.07"

Air Quality

AQI Median	43.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	89.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability	26.0 / 100
Community Resilience	42.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively High
Hurricane	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Moderate
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively High
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively High
Landslide	Relatively Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

181 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.2.

May 1, 2005	5 km SSE of Manila, Arkansas	M4.2	102 km	10 km
Feb 10, 2005	3 km NNW of Etowah, Arkansas	M4.1	97 km	15 km
Apr 30, 2003	1 km N of Blytheville, Arkansas	M4.0	110 km	24 km
Jun 2, 2005	12 km S of Ridgely, Tennessee	M4.0	137 km	15 km
Oct 29, 2012	8 km SW of Parkin, Arkansas	M3.9	77 km	21 km
Nov 29, 1996	1 km W of Blytheville, Arkansas	M3.8	109 km	19 km
May 16, 2024	6 km S of Ridgely, Tennessee	M3.8	142 km	8 km
Sep 17, 1997	2 km E of Trumann, Arkansas	M3.8	98 km	0 km
Feb 23, 2013	7 km SW of Trumann, Arkansas	M3.7	99 km	14 km
Apr 24, 2019	12 km NNW of Dyersburg, Tennessee	M3.7	136 km	14 km
Oct 15, 2017	6 km SE of Manila, Arkansas	M3.6	101 km	17 km
Jan 16, 2018	4 km SW of Caruthersville, Missouri	M3.6	135 km	9 km
Apr 2, 2015	1 km WNW of Cooter, Missouri	M3.6	122 km	10 km
Jan 8, 1993	6 km WSW of Gosnell, Arkansas	M3.5	110 km	22 km
Aug 25, 2015	9 km W of Henning, Tennessee	M3.5	80 km	13 km
Aug 29, 1990	9 km WSW of Central, Tennessee	M3.4	94 km	15 km
Nov 6, 2009	6 km NNW of Dyersburg, Tennessee	M3.4	132 km	9 km
Apr 28, 1993	8 km SSE of Ridgely, Tennessee	M3.4	143 km	7 km
May 31, 2022	12 km SE of Ridgely, Tennessee	M3.2	143 km	11 km
Apr 23, 1994	7 km W of Gosnell, Arkansas	M3.2	114 km	5 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

403 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 148 fatalities, 1,276 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Dec 23, 2015	EF4	42 km	75.1 mi	9
May 4, 2003	EF4	97 km	39.0 mi	11
Mar 1, 1997	EF4	96 km	20.0 mi	0
Apr 19, 1970	EF4	81 km	47.6 mi	4
Mar 21, 1952	EF4	86 km	46.8 mi	38
Mar 21, 1952	EF4	18 km	29.6 mi	16
Mar 31, 2023	EF3	56 km	39.2 mi	1
Mar 31, 2023	EF3	96 km	86.0 mi	9
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	87 km	13.6 mi	0
May 2, 2010	EF3	62 km	29.6 mi	3
May 2, 2008	EF3	69 km	20.2 mi	0
Feb 5, 2008	EF3	63 km	31.1 mi	3
Feb 5, 2008	EF3	67 km	7.2 mi	0
Jan 3, 2000	EF3	91 km	43.2 mi	0
Jan 17, 1999	EF3	79 km	22.0 mi	0
Mar 1, 1997	EF3	98 km	30.0 mi	0
Mar 1, 1997	EF3	97 km	5.0 mi	0
Mar 1, 1997	EF3	95 km	10.0 mi	0
Nov 27, 1994	EF3	97 km	16.0 mi	1
Nov 27, 1994	EF3	13 km	16.0 mi	3

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Tsunami History

1 tsunami recorded within 500 km.

Year	Location	Cause	Max Wave	Deaths	Distance
1811	AR: NE - NEW MADRID EARTHQUAKES	Eruption + Earthquake	—	—	88 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: COMP 109 (3,663 acres, 2010).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2010	COMP 109	3,663	78 km
2014	C-55 CHILLI LAKE	3,555	71 km
2017	UNNAMED	3,152	53 km
2014	C-39 EAST CHEWALLA	3,107	53 km
2017	UNNAMED	3,031	72 km
2022	HOLLY SPRINGS BB 119/90/88	2,955	66 km
2013	UNNAMED	2,848	55 km
2014	C-84 BAGLEY BOTTOMS	2,766	66 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,645	80 km
2013	MIDWAY CEM PRESCRIBED BURN	2,513	66 km
2013	PUSKUS LAKE	2,271	74 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,248	65 km
2022	HOLLY SPRINGS BB 51/52/53	2,182	73 km
2010	COMP 42	2,142	56 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,073	66 km
2022	HOLLY SPRINGS BB10 11 12 14	1,977	75 km
2016	UNNAMED	1,972	68 km
2014	C-109	1,863	79 km
2019	UNNAMED	1,841	78 km
2016	UNNAMED	1,785	56 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	40°F (5°C)	4.2 in	Coldest
February	44°F (6°C)	4.3 in
March	52°F (11°C)	5.6 in
April	61°F (16°C)	5.8 in	Wettest
May	69°F (21°C)	5.3 in
June	77°F (25°C)	4.5 in
July	82°F (28°C)	3.9 in	Warmest
August	79°F (26°C)	3.1 in	Driest
September	73°F (23°C)	3.4 in
October	62°F (17°C)	3.4 in
November	51°F (11°C)	5.2 in
December	43°F (6°C)	5.6 in

Olive Branch has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 40°F in January to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 54.2 inches, with April being the wettest month (5.8") and August the driest (3.1").

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