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Weather & Climate in Pickens, MS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Pickens enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 45°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. The area gets 323 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 236 feet.
Temperature
45°F Jan (7°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 63.5°F |
| 18% above US avg | |
| January Average | 45°F (7°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 323 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 236 ft (72 m) |
| Area | 1.3 sq mi (3.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 965/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 32.8913°N, 89.9688°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Leake County County |
| Nearest Airport | Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International (JAN) 41 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 55.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 95.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 11.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
12 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 | 96 km | 16 km |
| Mar 25, 1996 | 11 km NNE of Quitman, Mississippi | M3.5 | 148 km | 5 km |
| May 3, 2015 | 7 km SSW of Canton, Mississippi | M3.2 | 39 km | 5 km |
| Jun 29, 2015 | 6 km SSW of Canton, Mississippi | M3.2 | 38 km | 5 km |
| Aug 11, 1996 | 9 km WSW of Shaw, Mississippi | M3.1 | 114 km | 10 km |
| Oct 26, 2002 | 3 km SE of Alligator, Mississippi | M3.1 | 147 km | 3 km |
| May 3, 2015 | 8 km WSW of Canton, Mississippi | M3.0 | 37 km | 5 km |
| Mar 15, 2025 | 5 km NNE of Magee, Mississippi | M3.0 | 111 km | 10 km |
| Aug 9, 2019 | Mississippi | M2.8 | 41 km | 5 km |
| Feb 25, 1999 | 10 km NE of Oakland, Mississippi | M2.8 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Feb 11, 1991 | 10 km SSW of Clarksdale, Mississippi | M2.7 | 147 km | 12 km |
| Aug 17, 2015 | 9 km N of Madison, Mississippi | M2.6 | 41 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
7 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 3.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2021 | Ida | Category 2 | 75 mph | 267 km |
| 2020 | Zeta | Category 2 | 98 mph | 194 km |
| 2017 | Nate | Category 1 | 75 mph | 292 km |
| 2005 | Katrina | Category 3 | 121 mph | 123 km |
| 2004 | Ivan | Category 3 | 121 mph | 270 km |
| 1998 | Georges | Category 2 | 104 mph | 274 km |
| 1985 | Elena | Category 3 | 115 mph | 244 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
808 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 156 fatalities, 1,692 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF5 | 81 km | 28.3 mi | 3 |
| Mar 3, 1966 | EF5 | 96 km | 202.5 mi | 58 |
| Mar 24, 2023 | EF4 | 97 km | 59.2 mi | 17 |
| Apr 28, 2014 | EF4 | 50 km | 33.4 mi | 10 |
| Nov 24, 2001 | EF4 | 56 km | 11.5 mi | 2 |
| Mar 9, 1992 | EF4 | 87 km | 20.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 19, 1988 | EF4 | 46 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 23, 1977 | EF4 | 70 km | 15.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 29, 1976 | EF4 | 42 km | 22.3 mi | 3 |
| Feb 21, 1971 | EF4 | 95 km | 65.2 mi | 13 |
| Dec 2, 1967 | EF4 | 66 km | 7.6 mi | 2 |
| Mar 11, 1963 | EF4 | 43 km | 45.2 mi | 2 |
| Mar 24, 2023 | EF3 | 47 km | 29.4 mi | 3 |
| Apr 28, 2014 | EF3 | 75 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2014 | EF3 | 77 km | 29.7 mi | 1 |
| Oct 17, 2012 | EF3 | 70 km | 14.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 83 km | 70.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 24 km | 23.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 100 km | 10.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 88 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: BIEN 75-78 (4,658 acres, 2014).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2014 | BIEN 75-78 | 4,658 | 79 km |
| 2021 | BIENVILLE - CPT 38-39-40 | 4,545 | 65 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 4,007 | 62 km |
| 2010 | COMP 222-223-224 | 3,745 | 70 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 3,547 | 48 km |
| 2010 | BIEN 1-4 | 2,983 | 47 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,935 | 69 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 2,887 | 92 km |
| 2021 | BIENVILLE CPT 1-4 | 2,761 | 48 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 2,436 | 54 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,388 | 64 km |
| 2022 | 508 | 2,386 | 49 km |
| 2022 | BIENVILLE CPT 89/90 | 2,341 | 92 km |
| 2021 | BIENVILLE - CPT 76/77 | 2,246 | 80 km |
| 2013 | BIEN 42-46 55 | 2,215 | 69 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,162 | 91 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 2,128 | 69 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 2,094 | 80 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 1,982 | 87 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,945 | 93 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 45°F (7°C) | 5.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 47°F (8°C) | 5.0 in | |
| March | 55°F (13°C) | 6.1 in | Wettest |
| April | 62°F (17°C) | 5.6 in | |
| May | 70°F (21°C) | 5.2 in | |
| June | 77°F (25°C) | 3.5 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 4.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 80°F (26°C) | 3.3 in | |
| September | 75°F (24°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| October | 64°F (18°C) | 3.7 in | |
| November | 54°F (12°C) | 5.1 in | |
| December | 47°F (8°C) | 5.6 in |
Pickens has a seasonal temperature swing of 35°F / from 45°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 56.1 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.1") and September the driest (3.1").