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Weather & Climate in Ponca, AR
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Ponca enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. The area gets 305 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 47.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 9.5 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 1,466 feet.
Temperature
38°F Jan (3°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 58.7°F |
| 9% above US avg | |
| January Average | 38°F (3°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,466 ft (447 m) |
| Area | 0.6 sq mi (1.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 115/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.0293°N, 93.3624°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Madison County County |
| Nearest Airport | Marion County Regional (FLP) 47 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 45.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 63.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 22.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
229 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.7.
| Feb 28, 2011 | 4 km NE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M4.7 | 124 km | 3 km |
| May 4, 2001 | 8 km NNW of Holland, Arkansas | M4.3 | 130 km | 8 km |
| Feb 18, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M4.1 | 123 km | 6 km |
| Feb 18, 2011 | 3 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.9 | 124 km | 5 km |
| Apr 8, 2011 | 3 km NE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.9 | 124 km | 6 km |
| Feb 17, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.8 | 124 km | 6 km |
| Jun 4, 2014 | 3 km ESE of Fairfield Bay, Arkansas | M3.8 | 113 km | 0 km |
| Sep 12, 2019 | 13 km N of Big Flat, Arkansas | M3.7 | 87 km | 18 km |
| Apr 7, 2011 | 2 km NE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.7 | 125 km | 6 km |
| Jun 11, 2017 | 6 km NNE of Bergman, Arkansas | M3.6 | 51 km | 6 km |
| Feb 20, 2011 | 3 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.6 | 124 km | 5 km |
| Feb 28, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.6 | 123 km | 4 km |
| Mar 3, 2011 | 0 km N of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.5 | 124 km | 7 km |
| Nov 15, 1990 | 16 km NNW of Hector, Arkansas | M3.5 | 56 km | 29 km |
| Mar 9, 2011 | 1 km NW of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.5 | 124 km | 6 km |
| Feb 16, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.5 | 124 km | 7 km |
| Apr 8, 2011 | 2 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.5 | 124 km | 6 km |
| Feb 25, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.5 | 122 km | 6 km |
| Jun 27, 2000 | 15 km WSW of Marshall, Arkansas | M3.4 | 56 km | 0 km |
| Feb 19, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.4 | 123 km | 7 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
411 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 40 fatalities, 644 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 24, 2011 | EF4 | 99 km | 45.7 mi | 4 |
| Apr 14, 1996 | EF4 | 94 km | 44.0 mi | 7 |
| Mar 15, 1984 | EF4 | 96 km | 41.0 mi | 2 |
| May 26, 2024 | EF3 | 63 km | 34.6 mi | 1 |
| May 26, 2024 | EF3 | 32 km | 21.6 mi | 4 |
| Mar 30, 2022 | EF3 | 72 km | 5.2 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2011 | EF3 | 69 km | 29.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 30, 2010 | EF3 | 87 km | 20.3 mi | 1 |
| Mar 5, 1999 | EF3 | 91 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1996 | EF3 | 47 km | 15.0 mi | 2 |
| Nov 18, 1985 | EF3 | 64 km | 34.0 mi | 3 |
| Dec 23, 1982 | EF3 | 85 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 2, 1982 | EF3 | 99 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 2, 1982 | EF3 | 83 km | 23.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 1982 | EF3 | 46 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 7, 1980 | EF3 | 66 km | 3.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1974 | EF3 | 43 km | 11.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 20, 1973 | EF3 | 23 km | 7.8 mi | 1 |
| Apr 7, 1972 | EF3 | 97 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 14, 1971 | EF3 | 73 km | 23.6 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (14,993 acres, 2007).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 14,993 | 39 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 14,774 | 58 km |
| 2007 | DEAD HORSE | 10,389 | 81 km |
| 2004 | LOWER WILD | 10,034 | 81 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 9,368 | 40 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 9,226 | 50 km |
| 2013 | LOWER WILDERNESS RX | 8,699 | 81 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 8,286 | 53 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 7,919 | 46 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 7,804 | 46 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 7,415 | 69 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 7,344 | 46 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 6,931 | 90 km |
| 2021 | SYL BIRMINGHAM | 6,803 | 93 km |
| 2011 | UNNAMED | 6,686 | 86 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 6,457 | 56 km |
| 2010 | BRUSHY/CLAYTON | 6,401 | 91 km |
| 2020 | BIG CREEK | 6,399 | 86 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 6,354 | 37 km |
| 2010 | SPUD ROCK CENTRAL | 6,117 | 65 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 38°F (3°C) | 2.4 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 39°F (4°C) | 2.8 in | |
| March | 48°F (9°C) | 4.6 in | |
| April | 57°F (14°C) | 4.3 in | |
| May | 64°F (18°C) | 5.4 in | Wettest |
| June | 71°F (22°C) | 4.3 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 3.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 3.5 in | |
| September | 68°F (20°C) | 4.3 in | |
| October | 58°F (15°C) | 3.7 in | |
| November | 47°F (8°C) | 4.4 in | |
| December | 38°F (3°C) | 3.6 in |
Ponca has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 38°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.6 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.4") and January the driest (2.4").