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Weather & Climate in Petal, MS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Petal enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 67°F (19°C). Winters average 49°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. The area gets 306 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 58.9 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 221 feet.
Temperature
49°F Jan (10°C)
82°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 66.5°F |
| 23% above US avg | |
| January Average | 49°F (10°C) |
| July Average | 82°F (28°C) |
| Sunny Days | 306 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 221 ft (67 m) |
| Area | 17.2 sq mi (44.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 662/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 31.3482°N, 89.2351°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Forrest County County |
| Nearest Airport | Hattiesburg/Laurel Regional (PIB) 10 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 78.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 59.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 67.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| 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
5 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.7.
| Jul 16, 1993 | 2 km SSW of Silas, Alabama | M3.7 | 96 km | 5 km |
| Mar 25, 1996 | 11 km NNE of Quitman, Mississippi | M3.5 | 102 km | 5 km |
| Mar 22, 2005 | 9 km NNE of Coffeeville, Alabama | M3.3 | 124 km | 5 km |
| May 16, 2008 | 10 km W of Coffeeville, Alabama | M3.1 | 109 km | 5 km |
| Mar 15, 2025 | 5 km NNE of Magee, Mississippi | M3.0 | 77 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
19 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 4.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2024 | Francine | Category 2 | 104 mph | 252 km |
| 2021 | Ida | Category 4 | 150 mph | 171 km |
| 2020 | Zeta | Category 3 | 115 mph | 32 km |
| 2020 | Sally | Category 2 | 109 mph | 182 km |
| 2017 | Nate | Category 1 | 86 mph | 108 km |
| 2012 | Isaac | Category 1 | 81 mph | 248 km |
| 2008 | Gustav | Category 2 | 109 mph | 269 km |
| 2005 | Katrina | Category 4 | 127 mph | 44 km |
| 2005 | Dennis | Category 4 | 127 mph | 194 km |
| 2005 | Cindy | Category 1 | 75 mph | 253 km |
| 2004 | Ivan | Category 3 | 127 mph | 146 km |
| 1998 | Georges | Category 2 | 109 mph | 89 km |
| 1997 | Danny | Category 1 | 81 mph | 165 km |
| 1995 | Opal | Category 3 | 127 mph | 235 km |
| 1995 | Erin | Category 2 | 98 mph | 185 km |
| 1992 | Andrew | Category 4 | 138 mph | 253 km |
| 1988 | Florence | Category 1 | 81 mph | 228 km |
| 1985 | Elena | Category 3 | 121 mph | 90 km |
| 1985 | Juan | Category 1 | 86 mph | 277 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
734 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 60 fatalities, 1,448 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 19, 2020 | EF4 | 76 km | 53.8 mi | 1 |
| Apr 12, 2020 | EF4 | 51 km | 67.4 mi | 7 |
| Apr 12, 2020 | EF4 | 90 km | 21.2 mi | 4 |
| Feb 10, 2013 | EF4 | 23 km | 21.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 80 km | 122.0 mi | 7 |
| Nov 22, 1992 | EF4 | 62 km | 40.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 28, 1987 | EF4 | 17 km | 35.0 mi | 6 |
| Apr 18, 1978 | EF4 | 87 km | 19.1 mi | 4 |
| Mar 26, 1976 | EF4 | 89 km | 18.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 2023 | EF3 | 75 km | 6.5 mi | 1 |
| Nov 30, 2022 | EF3 | 69 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 2020 | EF3 | 83 km | 83.2 mi | 0 |
| Dec 16, 2019 | EF3 | 65 km | 18.6 mi | 0 |
| Dec 16, 2019 | EF3 | 33 km | 5.8 mi | 0 |
| Dec 16, 2019 | EF3 | 37 km | 61.2 mi | 0 |
| Jan 21, 2017 | EF3 | 30 km | 31.1 mi | 4 |
| Dec 23, 2014 | EF3 | 58 km | 12.5 mi | 3 |
| Apr 28, 2014 | EF3 | 46 km | 10.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 25, 2012 | EF3 | 89 km | 60.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 98 km | 8.9 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WHITE DOG (12,306 acres, 2005).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2005 | WHITE DOG | 12,306 | 28 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 10,363 | 58 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 10,170 | 48 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 9,932 | 28 km |
| 2010 | DESOTO 0902 | 8,713 | 54 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 7,660 | 86 km |
| 2010 | DESOTO 1057 | 7,148 | 83 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 7,059 | 51 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 6,802 | 54 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 6,712 | 36 km |
| 2000 | COW PEN | 6,502 | 27 km |
| 2010 | CRIPPLE CHINOOK | 6,035 | 29 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 5,819 | 27 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 5,803 | 45 km |
| 2010 | DESOTO 1064 | 5,695 | 89 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 5,657 | 41 km |
| 1987 | MACHINE GUN | 5,601 | 29 km |
| 1990 | PIERCES CREEK | 5,544 | 30 km |
| 2020 | 369 D | 5,362 | 25 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 5,230 | 80 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 49°F (10°C) | 6.2 in | Coldest |
| February | 51°F (11°C) | 5.2 in | |
| March | 58°F (15°C) | 6.3 in | Wettest |
| April | 65°F (18°C) | 5.4 in | |
| May | 72°F (22°C) | 5.2 in | |
| June | 79°F (26°C) | 4.2 in | |
| July | 82°F (28°C) | 5.6 in | Warmest |
| August | 81°F (27°C) | 4.6 in | |
| September | 76°F (25°C) | 4.1 in | |
| October | 66°F (19°C) | 3.5 in | Driest |
| November | 57°F (14°C) | 4.8 in | |
| December | 50°F (10°C) | 5.6 in |
Petal has a seasonal temperature swing of 33°F / from 49°F in January to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 60.7 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.3") and October the driest (3.5").