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Weather & Climate in Palestine, AR
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Palestine enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 81°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 52.1 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 214 feet.
Temperature
41°F Jan (5°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 62.1°F |
| 15% above US avg | |
| January Average | 41°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 301 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 214 ft (65 m) |
| Area | 3.1 sq mi (8.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 195/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.9703°N, 90.9082°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Lee County County |
| Nearest Airport | Searcy Regional (SRC) 47 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 40.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 99.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 17.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| 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 Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
290 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.7.
| Feb 28, 2011 | 4 km NE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M4.7 | 136 km | 3 km |
| May 4, 2001 | 8 km NNW of Holland, Arkansas | M4.3 | 130 km | 8 km |
| May 1, 2005 | 5 km SSE of Manila, Arkansas | M4.2 | 118 km | 10 km |
| Feb 18, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M4.1 | 138 km | 6 km |
| Feb 10, 2005 | 3 km NNW of Etowah, Arkansas | M4.1 | 106 km | 15 km |
| Apr 30, 2003 | 1 km N of Blytheville, Arkansas | M4.0 | 141 km | 24 km |
| Oct 29, 2012 | 8 km SW of Parkin, Arkansas | M3.9 | 36 km | 21 km |
| Apr 8, 2011 | 3 km NE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.9 | 136 km | 6 km |
| Feb 18, 2011 | 3 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.9 | 137 km | 5 km |
| Sep 17, 1997 | 2 km E of Trumann, Arkansas | M3.8 | 87 km | 0 km |
| Feb 17, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.8 | 136 km | 6 km |
| Nov 29, 1996 | 1 km W of Blytheville, Arkansas | M3.8 | 138 km | 19 km |
| Jun 4, 2014 | 3 km ESE of Fairfield Bay, Arkansas | M3.8 | 139 km | 0 km |
| Feb 23, 2013 | 7 km SW of Trumann, Arkansas | M3.7 | 79 km | 14 km |
| Apr 7, 2011 | 2 km NE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.7 | 137 km | 6 km |
| Oct 15, 2017 | 6 km SE of Manila, Arkansas | M3.6 | 120 km | 17 km |
| Feb 28, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.6 | 137 km | 4 km |
| Feb 20, 2011 | 3 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.6 | 137 km | 5 km |
| Feb 25, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.5 | 138 km | 6 km |
| Mar 3, 2011 | 0 km N of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.5 | 138 km | 7 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
511 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 214 fatalities, 2,391 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Dec 10, 2021 | EF4 | 96 km | 81.2 mi | 8 |
| Mar 15, 1984 | EF4 | 63 km | 26.0 mi | 5 |
| May 26, 1973 | EF4 | 54 km | 54.8 mi | 3 |
| May 15, 1968 | EF4 | 88 km | 20.9 mi | 35 |
| May 15, 1968 | EF4 | 91 km | 0.3 mi | 7 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 51 km | 0.1 mi | 4 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 31 km | 13.1 mi | 29 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 86 km | 7.6 mi | 2 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 77 km | 14.6 mi | 50 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF3 | 24 km | 72.6 mi | 4 |
| Mar 28, 2020 | EF3 | 96 km | 12.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 30, 2010 | EF3 | 62 km | 7.7 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 2008 | EF3 | 82 km | 14.1 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 2008 | EF3 | 46 km | 20.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2006 | EF3 | 31 km | 38.0 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 2003 | EF3 | 52 km | 43.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 21, 1999 | EF3 | 91 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 21, 1999 | EF3 | 69 km | 39.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 21, 1999 | EF3 | 89 km | 31.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 21, 1999 | EF3 | 46 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
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 | — | — | 84 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
7 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (1,334 acres, 2006).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 1,334 | 46 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 1,194 | 58 km |
| 2017 | 310 WEST OF COMO | 745 | 91 km |
| 2005 | WAPANOCCA LAKE | 725 | 74 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 647 | 98 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 627 | 53 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 599 | 39 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 41°F (5°C) | 3.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 43°F (6°C) | 4.0 in | |
| March | 52°F (11°C) | 5.2 in | |
| April | 61°F (16°C) | 5.2 in | |
| May | 70°F (21°C) | 5.5 in | Wettest |
| June | 78°F (26°C) | 3.6 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 3.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 3.2 in | Driest |
| September | 73°F (23°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 63°F (17°C) | 3.5 in | |
| November | 51°F (11°C) | 4.9 in | |
| December | 43°F (6°C) | 5.2 in |
Palestine has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 41°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 50.7 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.5") and August the driest (3.2").