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Weather & Climate in Picayune, MS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Picayune enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 66°F (19°C). Winters average 50°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. The area gets 313 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 66.7 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 55 feet.
Temperature
50°F Jan (10°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 66.4°F |
| 23% above US avg | |
| January Average | 50°F (10°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 313 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 55 ft (17 m) |
| Area | 18.0 sq mi (46.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 656/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 30.5308°N, 89.6706°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Hancock County County |
| Nearest Airport | Gulfport-Biloxi International (GPT) 37 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 82.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 74.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 73.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1 earthquake (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.0.
| Aug 2, 2010 | 16 km ESE of Clinton, Louisiana | M3.0 | 118 km | 0 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
24 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 | 157 km |
| 2021 | Ida | Category 4 | 150 mph | 105 km |
| 2020 | Zeta | Category 3 | 115 mph | 43 km |
| 2020 | Sally | Category 2 | 109 mph | 184 km |
| 2019 | Barry | Category 1 | 75 mph | 255 km |
| 2017 | Nate | Category 1 | 86 mph | 66 km |
| 2012 | Isaac | Category 1 | 81 mph | 149 km |
| 2009 | Ida | Category 1 | 86 mph | 245 km |
| 2008 | Gustav | Category 2 | 109 mph | 178 km |
| 2005 | Katrina | Category 4 | 144 mph | 27 km |
| 2005 | Dennis | Category 4 | 127 mph | 229 km |
| 2005 | Cindy | Category 1 | 75 mph | 154 km |
| 2004 | Ivan | Category 4 | 132 mph | 174 km |
| 2002 | Lili | Category 3 | 121 mph | 259 km |
| 1998 | Georges | Category 2 | 109 mph | 74 km |
| 1998 | Earl | Category 2 | 98 mph | 266 km |
| 1997 | Danny | Category 1 | 81 mph | 113 km |
| 1995 | Opal | Category 4 | 127 mph | 235 km |
| 1995 | Erin | Category 2 | 98 mph | 208 km |
| 1992 | Andrew | Category 4 | 144 mph | 194 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
693 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 30 fatalities, 760 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 19, 2020 | EF4 | 66 km | 53.8 mi | 1 |
| Apr 12, 2020 | EF4 | 96 km | 21.2 mi | 4 |
| Feb 10, 2013 | EF4 | 86 km | 21.7 mi | 0 |
| Dec 6, 1983 | EF4 | 96 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 22, 2022 | EF3 | 81 km | 11.5 mi | 1 |
| Dec 16, 2019 | EF3 | 96 km | 5.8 mi | 0 |
| Feb 7, 2017 | EF3 | 66 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
| Jan 21, 2017 | EF3 | 75 km | 31.1 mi | 4 |
| Dec 23, 2014 | EF3 | 79 km | 12.5 mi | 3 |
| Dec 25, 2012 | EF3 | 13 km | 60.3 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 2011 | EF3 | 37 km | 6.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 15, 2006 | EF3 | 91 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 25, 1992 | EF3 | 91 km | 9.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 20, 1983 | EF3 | 60 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1982 | EF3 | 93 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1980 | EF3 | 40 km | 13.1 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1980 | EF3 | 50 km | 10.6 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 1980 | EF3 | 53 km | 11.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 1980 | EF3 | 58 km | 15.9 mi | 0 |
| Dec 10, 1971 | EF3 | 88 km | 19.1 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 | 83 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 10,363 | 92 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 10,170 | 91 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 9,932 | 84 km |
| 2010 | DESOTO 0902 | 8,713 | 95 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 7,660 | 78 km |
| 2010 | DESOTO 1057 | 7,148 | 79 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 7,059 | 91 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 6,802 | 95 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 6,712 | 97 km |
| 2000 | COW PEN | 6,502 | 83 km |
| 2010 | CRIPPLE CHINOOK | 6,035 | 85 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 5,819 | 92 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 5,803 | 91 km |
| 2010 | DESOTO 1064 | 5,695 | 79 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 5,657 | 97 km |
| 1987 | MACHINE GUN | 5,601 | 83 km |
| 1990 | PIERCES CREEK | 5,544 | 84 km |
| 2020 | 369 D | 5,362 | 87 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 5,230 | 69 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 50°F (10°C) | 5.3 in | Coldest |
| February | 53°F (12°C) | 5.8 in | |
| March | 60°F (15°C) | 6.1 in | |
| April | 66°F (19°C) | 4.9 in | |
| May | 73°F (23°C) | 5.0 in | |
| June | 79°F (26°C) | 4.8 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 6.2 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 81°F (27°C) | 5.8 in | |
| September | 77°F (25°C) | 5.0 in | |
| October | 67°F (20°C) | 2.9 in | Driest |
| November | 59°F (15°C) | 4.5 in | |
| December | 53°F (12°C) | 5.6 in |
Picayune has a seasonal temperature swing of 31°F / from 50°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 62.0 inches, with July being the wettest month (6.2") and October the driest (2.9").