Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Purvis enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 66°F (19°C). Winters average 49°F in January while summers reach 82°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 64.4 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 365 feet.
Temperature
49°F Jan (9°C)82°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average
66.4°F
23% above US avg
January Average
49°F (9°C)
July Average
82°F (28°C)
Sunny Days
313 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
365 ft (111 m)
Area
3.9 sq mi (10.1 km²)
Population Density
404/sq mi
Coordinates
31.1464°N, 89.4063°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Lamar County County
Nearest Airport
Hattiesburg/Laurel Regional (PIB) 23 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall64.4"
70% above US avg
Snowfall0.9"
Wettest Month (Mar)6.42"
Driest Month (Oct)3.54"
Air Quality
AQI Median
43.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
65.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability
55.6 / 100
Community Resilience
55.5 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Moderate
Hurricane
Relatively Moderate
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Relatively Low
Flood
Relatively Low
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave
Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather
Relatively Low
Lightning
Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm
Relatively Moderate
Drought
Relatively Low
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
Landslide
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
6 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M3.7.
Jul 16, 1993
2 km SSW of Silas, Alabama
M3.7
121 km
5 km
Mar 25, 1996
11 km NNE of Quitman, Mississippi
M3.5
130 km
5 km
Mar 22, 2005
9 km NNE of Coffeeville, Alabama
M3.3
149 km
5 km
May 16, 2008
10 km W of Coffeeville, Alabama
M3.1
134 km
5 km
Aug 2, 2010
16 km ESE of Clinton, Louisiana
M3.0
143 km
0 km
Mar 15, 2025
5 km NNE of Magee, Mississippi
M3.0
90 km
10 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
19 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
224 km
2021
Ida
Category 4
150 mph
146 km
2020
Zeta
Category 3
115 mph
56 km
2020
Sally
Category 2
109 mph
187 km
2017
Nate
Category 1
86 mph
92 km
2012
Isaac
Category 1
81 mph
221 km
2008
Gustav
Category 2
109 mph
243 km
2005
Katrina
Category 4
127 mph
19 km
2005
Dennis
Category 4
138 mph
205 km
2005
Cindy
Category 1
75 mph
227 km
2004
Ivan
Category 3
127 mph
161 km
1998
Georges
Category 2
109 mph
78 km
1997
Danny
Category 1
81 mph
163 km
1995
Opal
Category 3
127 mph
239 km
1995
Erin
Category 2
98 mph
192 km
1992
Andrew
Category 4
144 mph
231 km
1988
Florence
Category 1
81 mph
205 km
1985
Elena
Category 3
121 mph
62 km
1985
Juan
Category 1
86 mph
250 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
831 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 64 fatalities, 1,540 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Apr 19, 2020
EF4
54 km
53.8 mi
1
Apr 12, 2020
EF4
74 km
21.2 mi
4
Apr 12, 2020
EF4
49 km
67.4 mi
7
Feb 10, 2013
EF4
16 km
21.7 mi
0
Apr 27, 2011
EF4
99 km
122.0 mi
7
Nov 22, 1992
EF4
79 km
40.0 mi
0
Feb 28, 1987
EF4
42 km
35.0 mi
6
Apr 18, 1978
EF4
81 km
19.1 mi
4
Mar 26, 1976
EF4
91 km
18.5 mi
0
Jun 18, 2023
EF3
98 km
6.5 mi
1
Nov 30, 2022
EF3
88 km
19.0 mi
0
Apr 12, 2020
EF3
71 km
83.2 mi
0
Dec 16, 2019
EF3
32 km
5.8 mi
0
Dec 16, 2019
EF3
63 km
61.2 mi
0
Dec 16, 2019
EF3
76 km
18.6 mi
0
Jan 21, 2017
EF3
8 km
31.1 mi
4
Dec 23, 2014
EF3
42 km
12.5 mi
3
Apr 28, 2014
EF3
73 km
10.5 mi
0
Dec 25, 2012
EF3
61 km
60.3 mi
0
May 26, 2011
EF3
85 km
6.1 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
27 km
2008
UNNAMED
10,363
58 km
2013
UNNAMED
10,170
50 km
2014
UNNAMED
9,932
28 km
2010
DESOTO 0902
8,713
57 km
2013
UNNAMED
7,660
76 km
2010
DESOTO 1057
7,148
74 km
2015
UNNAMED
7,059
52 km
2014
UNNAMED
6,802
56 km
2005
UNNAMED
6,712
44 km
2000
COW PEN
6,502
25 km
2010
CRIPPLE CHINOOK
6,035
30 km
2005
UNNAMED
5,819
33 km
2018
UNNAMED
5,803
47 km
2010
DESOTO 1064
5,695
79 km
2008
UNNAMED
5,657
48 km
1987
MACHINE GUN
5,601
28 km
1990
PIERCES CREEK
5,544
29 km
2020
369 D
5,362
28 km
2014
UNNAMED
5,230
68 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
49°F (9°C)
6.3 in
Coldest
February
52°F (11°C)
5.6 in
March
59°F (15°C)
6.4 in
Wettest
April
65°F (18°C)
5.4 in
May
72°F (22°C)
5.4 in
June
79°F (26°C)
4.6 in
July
82°F (28°C)
6.1 in
Warmest
August
80°F (27°C)
5.2 in
September
76°F (25°C)
4.4 in
October
66°F (19°C)
3.5 in
Driest
November
57°F (14°C)
4.8 in
December
51°F (11°C)
5.6 in
Purvis has a seasonal temperature swing of 33°F / from 49°F in January to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 63.2 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.4") and October the driest (3.5").