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Weather & Climate in Pontotoc, MS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Pontotoc enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (16°C). Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. The area gets 302 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 60.8 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 479 feet.
Temperature
41°F Jan (5°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 61.6°F |
| 14% above US avg | |
| January Average | 41°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 302 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 479 ft (146 m) |
| Area | 11.3 sq mi (29.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 511/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.2509°N, 89.0083°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Pontotoc County County |
| Nearest Airport | Tupelo Regional (TUP) 14 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 50.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 68.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 27.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
19 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.2.
| Sep 2, 1990 | 12 km NW of Fayette, Alabama | M3.2 | 114 km | 1 km |
| Jun 23, 1990 | 12 km E of Vernon, Alabama | M3.2 | 110 km | 1 km |
| May 10, 2008 | 1 km SSE of Sherman, Mississippi | M3.1 | 19 km | 0 km |
| Jun 23, 1990 | 8 km N of Belk, Alabama | M3.1 | 114 km | 6 km |
| May 28, 2000 | 3 km NE of Fayette, Alabama | M3.0 | 126 km | 0 km |
| May 28, 2000 | 13 km S of Winfield, Alabama | M3.0 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Jan 5, 2012 | 11 km NW of Oakman, Alabama | M2.9 | 150 km | 8 km |
| Jun 25, 2020 | 4 km NNW of Berry, Alabama | M2.9 | 142 km | 1 km |
| Feb 25, 1999 | 10 km NE of Oakland, Mississippi | M2.8 | 79 km | 5 km |
| Aug 11, 2002 | 8 km ESE of Darling, Mississippi | M2.8 | 108 km | 4 km |
| Mar 11, 2006 | 17 km E of Olivet, Tennessee | M2.7 | 139 km | 2 km |
| Feb 11, 1991 | 10 km SSW of Clarksdale, Mississippi | M2.7 | 147 km | 12 km |
| Jan 15, 2016 | 8 km ENE of Natural Bridge, Alabama | M2.6 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Feb 10, 2002 | 5 km NNE of Glen Allen, Alabama | M2.6 | 123 km | 4 km |
| Jun 14, 1996 | 6 km E of Saltillo, Tennessee | M2.5 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Nov 9, 2009 | 3 km SE of Marion, Arkansas | M2.5 | 149 km | 7 km |
| Oct 18, 2003 | 15 km SSE of Fayette, Alabama | M2.5 | 138 km | 15 km |
| Mar 28, 1990 | 10 km WNW of Hatton, Alabama | M2.5 | 141 km | 0 km |
| Mar 28, 1990 | 10 km WNW of Hatton, Alabama | M2.5 | 142 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
1 hurricane (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 1.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2005 | Katrina | Category 1 | — | 264 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
479 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 218 fatalities, 1,552 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF5 | 57 km | 37.1 mi | 23 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF5 | 81 km | 132.0 mi | 72 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF5 | 94 km | 79.5 mi | 28 |
| Dec 23, 2015 | EF4 | 75 km | 75.1 mi | 9 |
| Apr 19, 1970 | EF4 | 52 km | 47.6 mi | 4 |
| Apr 29, 1963 | EF4 | 30 km | 4.7 mi | 3 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 92 km | 29.6 mi | 16 |
| Mar 24, 2023 | EF3 | 50 km | 36.6 mi | 2 |
| Apr 28, 2014 | EF3 | 17 km | 31.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 66 km | 51.5 mi | 4 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 96 km | 70.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 51 km | 13.6 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 2010 | EF3 | 63 km | 29.6 mi | 3 |
| May 8, 2008 | EF3 | 20 km | 7.6 mi | 0 |
| Feb 5, 2008 | EF3 | 51 km | 7.2 mi | 0 |
| Jan 10, 2008 | EF3 | 88 km | 13.3 mi | 0 |
| Feb 24, 2001 | EF3 | 40 km | 52.0 mi | 6 |
| Jan 3, 2000 | EF3 | 51 km | 43.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF3 | 44 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF3 | 35 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: COMP 109 (3,663 acres, 2010).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2010 | COMP 109 | 3,663 | 36 km |
| 2014 | C-55 CHILLI LAKE | 3,555 | 49 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 3,152 | 62 km |
| 2014 | C-39 EAST CHEWALLA | 3,107 | 61 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 3,031 | 48 km |
| 2022 | HOLLY SPRINGS BB 119/90/88 | 2,955 | 45 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,848 | 58 km |
| 2006 | WITCHDCE W | 2,846 | 36 km |
| 2014 | C-84 BAGLEY BOTTOMS | 2,766 | 45 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,645 | 35 km |
| 2013 | MIDWAY CEM PRESCRIBED BURN | 2,513 | 44 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,376 | 76 km |
| 2007 | WITCHDANCE EAST | 2,285 | 36 km |
| 2013 | PUSKUS LAKE | 2,271 | 37 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,248 | 46 km |
| 2021 | TOMBIGBEE CPT - 18/19/23/24 | 2,201 | 36 km |
| 2022 | HOLLY SPRINGS BB 51/52/53 | 2,182 | 49 km |
| 2010 | COMP 42 | 2,142 | 57 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,073 | 45 km |
| 2022 | HOLLY SPRINGS BB10 11 12 14 | 1,977 | 68 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 41°F (5°C) | 5.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 45°F (7°C) | 4.8 in | |
| March | 53°F (12°C) | 6.1 in | Wettest |
| April | 61°F (16°C) | 5.6 in | |
| May | 69°F (21°C) | 5.5 in | |
| June | 76°F (25°C) | 4.3 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 4.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 3.2 in | Driest |
| September | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 in | |
| October | 62°F (16°C) | 3.4 in | |
| November | 51°F (11°C) | 5.2 in | |
| December | 44°F (7°C) | 6.1 in |
Pontotoc has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 41°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 57.6 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.1") and August the driest (3.2").