Weather & Climate in Panama, OK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Panama enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 49.1 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 451 feet.
Temperature
40°F Jan (5°C)
83°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 62.4°F |
| 16% above US avg | |
| January Average | 40°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 83°F (28°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 451 ft (137 m) |
| Area | 1.6 sq mi (4.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 634/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.1712°N, 94.6684°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Sebastian County County |
| Nearest Airport | Fort Smith Regional (FSM) 18 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 86.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 48.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 38.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
100 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.1.
| Apr 3, 2012 | 8 km SSW of Pittsburg, Oklahoma | M4.1 | 125 km | 5 km |
| Aug 24, 2021 | 1 km S of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.7 | 64 km | 7 km |
| Aug 18, 2019 | 1 km ENE of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.7 | 62 km | 6 km |
| Aug 22, 2021 | 3 km ESE of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.4 | 61 km | 7 km |
| Jul 22, 2021 | 2 km E of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.3 | 61 km | 8 km |
| Feb 25, 2009 | 4 km SE of Ashland, Oklahoma | M3.3 | 134 km | 5 km |
| May 16, 2019 | 3 km W of Horntown, Oklahoma | M3.3 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Feb 7, 2020 | 2 km SSW of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.2 | 66 km | 6 km |
| Feb 7, 2020 | 3 km SSW of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.2 | 66 km | 6 km |
| May 27, 2007 | 9 km SW of Hanna, Oklahoma | M3.2 | 119 km | 5 km |
| Aug 12, 2019 | 1 km NE of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.2 | 63 km | 5 km |
| Jun 3, 2022 | 10 km W of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.2 | 74 km | 13 km |
| May 14, 2022 | 6 km SSE of Yeager, Oklahoma | M3.1 | 150 km | 3 km |
| Mar 14, 2022 | 12 km E of Crowder, Oklahoma | M3.1 | 79 km | 8 km |
| Jan 26, 2014 | 4 km WNW of Lamar, Oklahoma | M3.1 | 138 km | 3 km |
| Jan 7, 2018 | 7 km SW of Indianola, Oklahoma | M3.1 | 106 km | 5 km |
| Oct 1, 2010 | 7 km SE of Stuart, Oklahoma | M3.1 | 129 km | 5 km |
| Apr 1, 2020 | 2 km NE of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.1 | 62 km | 9 km |
| Mar 15, 2006 | 4 km W of Horntown, Oklahoma | M3.0 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Apr 14, 2012 | 3 km W of Arpelar, Oklahoma | M3.0 | 124 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
543 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 93 fatalities, 1,000 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 26, 1976 | EF5 | 4 km | 11.9 mi | 2 |
| May 24, 2011 | EF4 | 66 km | 45.7 mi | 4 |
| Mar 26, 1976 | EF4 | 58 km | 10.7 mi | 1 |
| May 26, 1973 | EF4 | 73 km | 3.6 mi | 5 |
| Apr 19, 1968 | EF4 | 36 km | 2.0 mi | 14 |
| May 5, 1961 | EF4 | 59 km | 26.4 mi | 16 |
| May 5, 1960 | EF4 | 26 km | 5.4 mi | 5 |
| May 5, 1960 | EF4 | 66 km | 62.4 mi | 16 |
| Jan 22, 1957 | EF4 | 26 km | 0.1 mi | 10 |
| Dec 31, 2010 | EF3 | 92 km | 21.1 mi | 4 |
| Apr 9, 2009 | EF3 | 76 km | 14.8 mi | 3 |
| Jun 1, 1999 | EF3 | 83 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 1999 | EF3 | 46 km | 38.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1996 | EF3 | 31 km | 10.1 mi | 2 |
| Nov 22, 1983 | EF3 | 71 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 22, 1983 | EF3 | 76 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 2, 1982 | EF3 | 53 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1981 | EF3 | 92 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 7, 1980 | EF3 | 12 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 1973 | EF3 | 59 km | 18.7 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (18,089 acres, 2007).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 18,089 | 73 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 15,318 | 54 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 14,774 | 94 km |
| 2009 | 40 ACRE TURNAROUND | 13,985 | 89 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 13,929 | 52 km |
| 2016 | WEST CAVANAL FIRE | 13,100 | 16 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 12,086 | 72 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 11,929 | 52 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 10,593 | 50 km |
| 2011 | UNNAMED | 10,444 | 99 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 9,483 | 79 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 9,385 | 70 km |
| 2021 | BILLY CREEK | 9,236 | 53 km |
| 2011 | TI VALLEY | 9,205 | 93 km |
| 2017 | MIDDLE RIDGE | 8,501 | 45 km |
| 2018 | SIX THOUSAND | 8,455 | 93 km |
| 2016 | DOG HOUSE FIRE | 8,304 | 64 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 8,217 | 93 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 7,945 | 71 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 7,415 | 84 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40°F (5°C) | 2.9 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 45°F (7°C) | 2.9 in | |
| March | 54°F (12°C) | 4.0 in | |
| April | 62°F (17°C) | 5.3 in | |
| May | 70°F (21°C) | 5.5 in | Wettest |
| June | 79°F (26°C) | 4.7 in | |
| July | 83°F (28°C) | 4.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 82°F (28°C) | 3.0 in | |
| September | 75°F (24°C) | 4.2 in | |
| October | 64°F (18°C) | 4.1 in | |
| November | 52°F (11°C) | 4.7 in | |
| December | 43°F (6°C) | 3.8 in |
Panama has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 40°F in January to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 49.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.5") and January the driest (2.9").