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Weather & Climate in Portia, AR
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Portia enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 80°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 3.5 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 263 feet.
Temperature
36°F Jan (2°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 58.9°F |
| 9% above US avg | |
| January Average | 36°F (2°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 263 ft (80 m) |
| Area | 1.3 sq mi (3.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 342/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.0849°N, 91.0710°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Lawrence County County |
| Nearest Airport | Walnut Ridge Regional (ARG) 9 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 67.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 81.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 26.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
495 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 | 147 km | 3 km |
| May 4, 1991 | 2 km NNW of Risco, Missouri | M4.5 | 124 km | 11 km |
| May 4, 2001 | 8 km NNW of Holland, Arkansas | M4.3 | 145 km | 8 km |
| May 1, 2005 | 5 km SSE of Manila, Arkansas | M4.2 | 88 km | 10 km |
| Feb 10, 2005 | 3 km NNW of Etowah, Arkansas | M4.1 | 82 km | 15 km |
| Feb 18, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M4.1 | 149 km | 6 km |
| Apr 30, 2003 | 1 km N of Blytheville, Arkansas | M4.0 | 105 km | 24 km |
| Jun 2, 2005 | 12 km S of Ridgely, Tennessee | M4.0 | 144 km | 15 km |
| Feb 18, 2011 | 3 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.9 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Apr 8, 2011 | 3 km NE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.9 | 148 km | 6 km |
| Jul 7, 1991 | 11 km ENE of Brandsville, Missouri | M3.9 | 80 km | 8 km |
| Oct 29, 2012 | 8 km SW of Parkin, Arkansas | M3.9 | 106 km | 21 km |
| Aug 22, 2000 | 19 km WNW of Maynard, Arkansas | M3.9 | 44 km | 10 km |
| Oct 21, 1999 | 9 km NW of Maynard, Arkansas | M3.9 | 45 km | 10 km |
| May 16, 2024 | 6 km S of Ridgely, Tennessee | M3.8 | 144 km | 8 km |
| Nov 29, 1996 | 1 km W of Blytheville, Arkansas | M3.8 | 103 km | 19 km |
| Jun 4, 2014 | 3 km ESE of Fairfield Bay, Arkansas | M3.8 | 120 km | 0 km |
| Sep 17, 1997 | 2 km E of Trumann, Arkansas | M3.8 | 70 km | 0 km |
| Feb 17, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.8 | 147 km | 6 km |
| Apr 7, 2011 | 2 km NE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.7 | 150 km | 6 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
499 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 98 fatalities, 1,587 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Dec 10, 2021 | EF4 | 57 km | 81.2 mi | 8 |
| Jan 21, 1999 | EF4 | 52 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 1998 | EF4 | 84 km | 5.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF4 | 88 km | 20.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 15, 1984 | EF4 | 70 km | 26.0 mi | 5 |
| Dec 24, 1982 | EF4 | 50 km | 63.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 22, 1981 | EF4 | 82 km | 63.0 mi | 1 |
| May 26, 1973 | EF4 | 95 km | 54.8 mi | 3 |
| May 15, 1968 | EF4 | 41 km | 20.9 mi | 35 |
| May 15, 1968 | EF4 | 60 km | 0.3 mi | 7 |
| May 21, 1957 | EF4 | 97 km | 9.1 mi | 7 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 74 km | 0.1 mi | 4 |
| Mar 28, 2020 | EF3 | 46 km | 12.5 mi | 0 |
| May 25, 2011 | EF3 | 84 km | 47.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 30, 2010 | EF3 | 73 km | 7.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2006 | EF3 | 96 km | 38.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2006 | EF3 | 18 km | 77.0 mi | 2 |
| Jan 21, 1999 | EF3 | 94 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 21, 1999 | EF3 | 58 km | 31.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF3 | 73 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km.
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1811 | AR: NE - NEW MADRID EARTHQUAKES | Eruption + Earthquake | — | — | 81 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: HANDY (12,818 acres, 2012).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2012 | HANDY | 12,818 | 86 km |
| 2011 | UNNAMED | 9,641 | 79 km |
| 2022 | CEDAR BLUFF | 9,617 | 84 km |
| 2020 | BIG BARREN CREEK | 8,150 | 91 km |
| 2024 | BRIDGES RX | 4,781 | 77 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 4,493 | 97 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 4,337 | 100 km |
| 2021 | VICTORY 1-7 | 3,237 | 100 km |
| 2024 | WOLF MOUNTAIN RX | 3,140 | 63 km |
| 1988 | HANES 1 | 3,139 | 89 km |
| 2011 | MUD POND | 3,030 | 97 km |
| 2005 | WOLF MTN | 2,801 | 60 km |
| 2021 | FREMONT PINEKNOT A | 2,506 | 100 km |
| 2024 | BEAR PEN RX | 2,302 | 88 km |
| 2022 | FOZZIE | 2,172 | 99 km |
| 2022 | HODO 4 | 1,859 | 77 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 1,853 | 97 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 1,783 | 38 km |
| 2024 | RX EXPERIMENTAL FOREST | 1,712 | 99 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 1,654 | 94 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 36°F (2°C) | 3.2 in | Coldest |
| February | 41°F (5°C) | 3.5 in | |
| March | 50°F (10°C) | 5.0 in | Wettest |
| April | 60°F (15°C) | 4.6 in | |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 4.9 in | |
| June | 77°F (25°C) | 3.2 in | Driest |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 3.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 3.2 in | |
| September | 72°F (22°C) | 3.9 in | |
| October | 60°F (16°C) | 3.4 in | |
| November | 49°F (9°C) | 5.0 in | |
| December | 40°F (4°C) | 4.5 in |
Portia has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 36°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.5 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.0") and June the driest (3.2").