Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Pelahatchie enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. The area gets 299 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 61.6 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 358 feet.
Temperature
44°F Jan (7°C)79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average
62.4°F
16% above US avg
January Average
44°F (7°C)
July Average
79°F (26°C)
Sunny Days
299 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
358 ft (109 m)
Area
6.1 sq mi (15.7 km²)
Population Density
277/sq mi
Coordinates
32.3209°N, 89.8080°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Rankin County County
Nearest Airport
Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International (JAN) 16 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall61.6"
62% above US avg
Snowfall0.9"
Wettest Month (Mar)6.26"
Driest Month (Oct)3.50"
Air Quality
AQI Median
43.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Moderate
Risk Score
85.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability
28.8 / 100
Community Resilience
71.0 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively High
Hurricane
Relatively Low
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Moderate
Hail
Relatively High
Strong Wind
Relatively High
Heat Wave
Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather
Relatively Moderate
Lightning
Relatively High
Ice Storm
Relatively High
Drought
Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave
Relatively Moderate
Landslide
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
9 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M3.7.
Jan 8, 2019
8 km WNW of Hollandale, Mississippi
M3.7
144 km
16 km
Mar 25, 1996
11 km NNE of Quitman, Mississippi
M3.5
109 km
5 km
May 3, 2015
7 km SSW of Canton, Mississippi
M3.2
36 km
5 km
Jun 29, 2015
6 km SSW of Canton, Mississippi
M3.2
37 km
5 km
May 3, 2015
8 km WSW of Canton, Mississippi
M3.0
41 km
5 km
Mar 15, 2025
5 km NNE of Magee, Mississippi
M3.0
46 km
10 km
May 21, 2002
7 km ESE of York, Alabama
M3.0
150 km
27 km
Aug 9, 2019
Mississippi
M2.8
31 km
5 km
Aug 17, 2015
9 km N of Madison, Mississippi
M2.6
38 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
13 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
213 km
2020
Sally
Category 2
109 mph
284 km
2020
Zeta
Category 2
98 mph
134 km
2017
Nate
Category 1
75 mph
227 km
2008
Gustav
Category 2
98 mph
300 km
2005
Dennis
Category 3
127 mph
292 km
2005
Katrina
Category 3
121 mph
61 km
2004
Ivan
Category 3
121 mph
224 km
1998
Georges
Category 2
104 mph
210 km
1997
Danny
Category 1
81 mph
280 km
1995
Erin
Category 2
98 mph
291 km
1992
Andrew
Category 3
92 mph
271 km
1985
Elena
Category 3
121 mph
180 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
1,005 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 163 fatalities, 2,285 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Apr 27, 2011
EF5
84 km
28.3 mi
3
Mar 3, 1966
EF5
72 km
202.5 mi
58
Apr 12, 2020
EF4
95 km
67.4 mi
7
Apr 28, 2014
EF4
72 km
33.4 mi
10
Apr 27, 2011
EF4
43 km
122.0 mi
7
Nov 24, 2001
EF4
39 km
11.5 mi
2
Nov 22, 1992
EF4
59 km
40.0 mi
0
Nov 21, 1992
EF4
56 km
128.0 mi
12
Jan 19, 1988
EF4
95 km
13.0 mi
0
Mar 12, 1986
EF4
98 km
23.0 mi
0
Apr 18, 1978
EF4
91 km
19.1 mi
4
Feb 23, 1977
EF4
95 km
15.0 mi
2
Mar 29, 1976
EF4
100 km
126.5 mi
0
Mar 29, 1976
EF4
48 km
22.3 mi
3
Mar 26, 1976
EF4
63 km
18.5 mi
0
Feb 21, 1971
EF4
87 km
65.2 mi
13
Dec 2, 1967
EF4
36 km
7.6 mi
2
Mar 11, 1963
EF4
96 km
45.2 mi
2
Jun 18, 2023
EF3
59 km
6.5 mi
1
Mar 22, 2022
EF3
91 km
9.2 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: BIEN 75-78 (4,658 acres, 2014).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2014
BIEN 75-78
4,658
27 km
2021
BIENVILLE - CPT 38-39-40
4,545
20 km
2018
UNNAMED
4,007
23 km
2010
COMP 222-223-224
3,745
26 km
2017
UNNAMED
3,547
28 km
2010
BIEN 1-4
2,983
29 km
2017
UNNAMED
2,935
26 km
2021
BIENVILLE CPT 1-4
2,761
28 km
2022
BIENVILLE CPT 203/205
2,731
55 km
2019
UNNAMED
2,436
26 km
2013
UNNAMED
2,388
22 km
2022
508
2,386
28 km
2022
BIENVILLE CPT 89/90
2,341
45 km
2021
BIENVILLE - CPT 76/77
2,246
27 km
2013
BIEN 42-46 55
2,215
26 km
2014
UNNAMED
2,128
25 km
2018
UNNAMED
2,094
27 km
2014
UNNAMED
1,945
45 km
2014
BIEN 5-7
1,890
26 km
2013
BIEN 1-4
1,888
28 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
44°F (7°C)
5.5 in
Coldest
February
48°F (9°C)
5.2 in
March
56°F (13°C)
6.3 in
Wettest
April
63°F (17°C)
5.4 in
May
70°F (21°C)
5.0 in
June
77°F (25°C)
3.7 in
July
79°F (26°C)
5.0 in
August
80°F (26°C)
3.9 in
Warmest
September
75°F (24°C)
3.5 in
October
64°F (18°C)
3.5 in
Driest
November
55°F (13°C)
4.8 in
December
48°F (9°C)
6.1 in
Pelahatchie has a seasonal temperature swing of 35°F / from 44°F in January to 80°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 58.0 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.3") and October the driest (3.5").