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Weather & Climate in Raleigh, MS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Raleigh enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. The area gets 299 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 61.6 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 478 feet.
Temperature
44°F Jan (7°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 62.4°F |
| 16% above US avg | |
| January Average | 44°F (7°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 299 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 478 ft (146 m) |
| Area | 5.1 sq mi (13.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 216/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 32.0347°N, 89.5257°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Smith County County |
| Nearest Airport | Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International (JAN) 37 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 47.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 87.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 13.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
13 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 | 116 km | 5 km |
| Mar 25, 1996 | 11 km NNE of Quitman, Mississippi | M3.5 | 81 km | 5 km |
| Mar 22, 2005 | 9 km NNE of Coffeeville, Alabama | M3.3 | 140 km | 5 km |
| May 3, 2015 | 7 km SSW of Canton, Mississippi | M3.2 | 78 km | 5 km |
| Jun 29, 2015 | 6 km SSW of Canton, Mississippi | M3.2 | 78 km | 5 km |
| May 16, 2008 | 10 km W of Coffeeville, Alabama | M3.1 | 128 km | 5 km |
| May 3, 2015 | 8 km WSW of Canton, Mississippi | M3.0 | 82 km | 5 km |
| Mar 15, 2025 | 5 km NNE of Magee, Mississippi | M3.0 | 21 km | 10 km |
| May 21, 2002 | 7 km ESE of York, Alabama | M3.0 | 131 km | 27 km |
| Aug 9, 2019 | Mississippi | M2.8 | 72 km | 5 km |
| May 7, 1998 | 9 km SSE of Bellamy, Alabama | M2.8 | 138 km | 10 km |
| Aug 17, 2015 | 9 km N of Madison, Mississippi | M2.6 | 79 km | 5 km |
| Mar 11, 2006 | 3 km NW of Epes, Alabama | M2.6 | 149 km | 31 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
14 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 4.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2021 | Ida | Category 4 | 121 mph | 200 km |
| 2020 | Sally | Category 2 | 109 mph | 244 km |
| 2020 | Zeta | Category 2 | 98 mph | 92 km |
| 2017 | Nate | Category 1 | 75 mph | 189 km |
| 2008 | Gustav | Category 2 | 98 mph | 297 km |
| 2005 | Dennis | Category 3 | 127 mph | 252 km |
| 2005 | Katrina | Category 3 | 127 mph | 19 km |
| 2004 | Ivan | Category 3 | 121 mph | 187 km |
| 1998 | Georges | Category 2 | 104 mph | 170 km |
| 1997 | Danny | Category 1 | 81 mph | 239 km |
| 1995 | Opal | Category 3 | 115 mph | 283 km |
| 1995 | Erin | Category 2 | 98 mph | 250 km |
| 1992 | Andrew | Category 3 | 115 mph | 268 km |
| 1985 | Elena | Category 3 | 121 mph | 151 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
992 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 159 fatalities, 2,697 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF5 | 94 km | 28.3 mi | 3 |
| Mar 3, 1966 | EF5 | 98 km | 202.5 mi | 58 |
| Apr 12, 2020 | EF4 | 67 km | 67.4 mi | 7 |
| Apr 28, 2014 | EF4 | 94 km | 33.4 mi | 10 |
| Feb 10, 2013 | EF4 | 84 km | 21.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF4 | 2 km | 122.0 mi | 7 |
| Nov 24, 2001 | EF4 | 77 km | 11.5 mi | 2 |
| Nov 22, 1992 | EF4 | 21 km | 40.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 21, 1992 | EF4 | 67 km | 128.0 mi | 12 |
| Feb 28, 1987 | EF4 | 65 km | 35.0 mi | 6 |
| Mar 12, 1986 | EF4 | 83 km | 23.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 18, 1978 | EF4 | 78 km | 19.1 mi | 4 |
| Mar 29, 1976 | EF4 | 89 km | 22.3 mi | 3 |
| Mar 26, 1976 | EF4 | 55 km | 18.5 mi | 0 |
| Dec 2, 1967 | EF4 | 49 km | 7.6 mi | 2 |
| Jun 18, 2023 | EF3 | 22 km | 6.5 mi | 1 |
| Mar 22, 2022 | EF3 | 86 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 2020 | EF3 | 92 km | 83.2 mi | 0 |
| Dec 16, 2019 | EF3 | 72 km | 5.8 mi | 0 |
| Dec 16, 2019 | EF3 | 52 km | 61.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (5,062 acres, 2005).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 5,062 | 79 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 4,999 | 79 km |
| 2021 | CHICKASAWHAY - CPT 398 399 | 4,697 | 86 km |
| 2014 | BIEN 75-78 | 4,658 | 28 km |
| 2021 | BIENVILLE - CPT 38-39-40 | 4,545 | 41 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 4,500 | 87 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 4,245 | 80 km |
| 2010 | CPT 341 | 4,101 | 72 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 4,097 | 84 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 4,007 | 44 km |
| 2007 | THICK CREEK | 3,960 | 93 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 3,956 | 72 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 3,794 | 84 km |
| 2010 | COMP 222-223-224 | 3,745 | 38 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 3,547 | 58 km |
| 2010 | CPT 393 | 3,474 | 87 km |
| 2010 | CPT 343 | 3,474 | 68 km |
| 2020 | UNNAMED | 3,345 | 91 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 3,229 | 86 km |
| 2010 | CPT 389 | 3,200 | 84 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 44°F (7°C) | 5.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 49°F (9°C) | 5.4 in | |
| March | 56°F (14°C) | 6.4 in | Wettest |
| April | 63°F (17°C) | 5.7 in | |
| May | 71°F (21°C) | 4.8 in | |
| June | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 5.0 in | |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 4.2 in | Warmest |
| September | 75°F (24°C) | 3.7 in | |
| October | 64°F (18°C) | 3.6 in | Driest |
| November | 55°F (13°C) | 4.8 in | |
| December | 48°F (9°C) | 6.2 in |
Raleigh has a seasonal temperature swing of 35°F / from 44°F in January to 79°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 59.1 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.4") and October the driest (3.6").