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Weather & Climate in Rector, AR
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Rector enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (15°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. The area gets 318 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 292 feet.
Temperature
36°F Jan (2°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 59.5°F |
| 10% above US avg | |
| January Average | 36°F (2°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 318 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 292 ft (89 m) |
| Area | 1.3 sq mi (3.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,199/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.2642°N, 90.2935°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Clay County County |
| Nearest Airport | Arkansas International (BYH) 28 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 71.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 82.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 11.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
409 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.8.
| Sep 26, 1990 | 4 km SE of Chaffee, Missouri | M4.8 | 116 km | 1 km |
| May 4, 1991 | 2 km NNW of Risco, Missouri | M4.5 | 54 km | 11 km |
| May 1, 2005 | 5 km SSE of Manila, Arkansas | M4.2 | 50 km | 10 km |
| Feb 10, 2005 | 3 km NNW of Etowah, Arkansas | M4.1 | 56 km | 15 km |
| Apr 30, 2003 | 1 km N of Blytheville, Arkansas | M4.0 | 49 km | 24 km |
| Jun 2, 2005 | 12 km S of Ridgely, Tennessee | M4.0 | 75 km | 15 km |
| Jun 6, 2003 | 1 km NE of Bardwell, Kentucky | M4.0 | 135 km | 3 km |
| Oct 29, 2012 | 8 km SW of Parkin, Arkansas | M3.9 | 122 km | 21 km |
| Jul 7, 1991 | 11 km ENE of Brandsville, Missouri | M3.9 | 123 km | 8 km |
| Feb 21, 2012 | 4 km SSE of Bertrand, Missouri | M3.9 | 103 km | 8 km |
| Aug 22, 2000 | 19 km WNW of Maynard, Arkansas | M3.9 | 76 km | 10 km |
| Oct 21, 1999 | 9 km NW of Maynard, Arkansas | M3.9 | 65 km | 10 km |
| Sep 17, 1997 | 2 km E of Trumann, Arkansas | M3.8 | 68 km | 0 km |
| May 16, 2024 | 6 km S of Ridgely, Tennessee | M3.8 | 74 km | 8 km |
| Nov 29, 1996 | 1 km W of Blytheville, Arkansas | M3.8 | 49 km | 19 km |
| Feb 23, 2013 | 7 km SW of Trumann, Arkansas | M3.7 | 75 km | 14 km |
| Mar 2, 2010 | 2 km ENE of East Prairie, Missouri | M3.7 | 102 km | 8 km |
| Aug 16, 2003 | 5 km W of Thomasville, Missouri | M3.7 | 130 km | 0 km |
| Apr 24, 2019 | 12 km NNW of Dyersburg, Tennessee | M3.7 | 78 km | 14 km |
| Oct 15, 2017 | 6 km SE of Manila, Arkansas | M3.6 | 50 km | 17 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
551 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 134 fatalities, 1,375 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Dec 10, 2021 | EF4 | 58 km | 81.2 mi | 8 |
| Jan 21, 1999 | EF4 | 23 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 1998 | EF4 | 45 km | 5.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF4 | 66 km | 15.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF4 | 56 km | 20.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 22, 1981 | EF4 | 39 km | 63.0 mi | 1 |
| May 15, 1968 | EF4 | 99 km | 20.9 mi | 35 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 49 km | 6.5 mi | 17 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 94 km | 2.0 mi | 4 |
| May 26, 2024 | EF3 | 79 km | 19.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF3 | 98 km | 39.2 mi | 1 |
| Dec 10, 2021 | EF3 | 94 km | 122.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 2020 | EF3 | 62 km | 12.5 mi | 0 |
| Nov 17, 2013 | EF3 | 98 km | 14.3 mi | 0 |
| Feb 29, 2012 | EF3 | 71 km | 20.0 mi | 1 |
| May 25, 2011 | EF3 | 79 km | 47.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2006 | EF3 | 71 km | 18.0 mi | 16 |
| Apr 2, 2006 | EF3 | 61 km | 77.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 16, 1998 | EF3 | 91 km | 4.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF3 | 78 km | 5.0 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 | — | — | 75 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (9,641 acres, 2011).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2011 | UNNAMED | 9,641 | 92 km |
| 2022 | CEDAR BLUFF | 9,617 | 99 km |
| 2010 | WYLIE KING 1 | 6,077 | 74 km |
| 2024 | BRIDGES RX | 4,781 | 88 km |
| 2021 | MILLER KING | 4,130 | 78 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 3,313 | 81 km |
| 2021 | VICTORY 1-7 | 3,237 | 72 km |
| 2024 | WOLF MOUNTAIN RX | 3,140 | 84 km |
| 2005 | WOLF MTN | 2,801 | 84 km |
| 2022 | HODO 4 | 1,859 | 92 km |
| 2010 | CHILTON SOUTH RX | 1,649 | 96 km |
| 2024 | ESSMAN SPRING RX | 1,495 | 76 km |
| 2012 | 12 LONGBAY | 1,432 | 96 km |
| 2006 | 06 CHILTON SOUTH | 1,400 | 96 km |
| 2009 | LONG BAY RX | 1,261 | 98 km |
| 2005 | BIG SPRING RIDGE RX | 1,237 | 100 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 1,232 | 76 km |
| 2020 | 20 LONGBAY | 1,128 | 96 km |
| 2003 | CHILTON CR | 914 | 97 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 839 | 80 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 36°F (2°C) | 3.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 40°F (4°C) | 3.7 in | |
| March | 49°F (9°C) | 5.1 in | |
| April | 59°F (15°C) | 4.8 in | |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 5.2 in | Wettest |
| June | 76°F (25°C) | 3.7 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 3.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 78°F (26°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| September | 72°F (22°C) | 3.9 in | |
| October | 60°F (16°C) | 3.2 in | |
| November | 49°F (9°C) | 4.7 in | |
| December | 39°F (4°C) | 4.6 in |
Rector has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 36°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.2") and August the driest (3.1").