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Weather & Climate in Ripley, MS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Ripley enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (15°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. The area gets 301 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 57.6 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.6 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 480 feet.
Temperature
39°F Jan (4°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 59.8°F |
| 11% above US avg | |
| January Average | 39°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 301 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 480 ft (146 m) |
| Area | 11.4 sq mi (29.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 474/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.7324°N, 88.9435°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Tippah County County |
| Nearest Airport | Tupelo Regional (TUP) 34 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 43.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 78.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 28.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| 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
29 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.5.
| Aug 25, 2015 | 9 km W of Henning, Tennessee | M3.5 | 124 km | 13 km |
| Aug 29, 1990 | 9 km WSW of Central, Tennessee | M3.4 | 133 km | 15 km |
| Jun 23, 1990 | 12 km E of Vernon, Alabama | M3.2 | 140 km | 1 km |
| Sep 2, 1990 | 12 km NW of Fayette, Alabama | M3.2 | 143 km | 1 km |
| Aug 19, 1994 | 9 km WSW of Gilt Edge, Tennessee | M3.2 | 124 km | 11 km |
| Jun 23, 1990 | 8 km N of Belk, Alabama | M3.1 | 145 km | 6 km |
| May 10, 2008 | 1 km SSE of Sherman, Mississippi | M3.1 | 44 km | 0 km |
| Nov 6, 1994 | 11 km WSW of Trenton, Tennessee | M3.1 | 136 km | 11 km |
| Aug 7, 2015 | 16 km W of Millington, Tennessee | M3.0 | 125 km | 4 km |
| May 28, 2000 | 13 km S of Winfield, Alabama | M3.0 | 146 km | 5 km |
| Apr 3, 1992 | 4 km NE of Central, Tennessee | M2.9 | 132 km | 8 km |
| Jan 16, 2009 | 8 km NE of Garland, Tennessee | M2.8 | 122 km | 9 km |
| Feb 25, 1999 | 10 km NE of Oakland, Mississippi | M2.8 | 107 km | 5 km |
| Aug 11, 2002 | 8 km ESE of Darling, Mississippi | M2.8 | 122 km | 4 km |
| Jan 3, 1993 | 4 km SW of Sunset, Arkansas | M2.7 | 129 km | 17 km |
| Sep 8, 2002 | 6 km W of Henning, Tennessee | M2.7 | 122 km | 7 km |
| Mar 11, 2006 | 17 km E of Olivet, Tennessee | M2.7 | 99 km | 2 km |
| Jan 15, 2016 | 8 km ENE of Natural Bridge, Alabama | M2.6 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Oct 2, 1995 | 9 km ENE of Clarkedale, Arkansas | M2.6 | 128 km | 8 km |
| Feb 10, 2002 | 5 km NNE of Glen Allen, Alabama | M2.6 | 141 km | 4 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
455 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 160 fatalities, 1,382 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF5 | 89 km | 37.1 mi | 23 |
| Dec 23, 2015 | EF4 | 71 km | 75.1 mi | 9 |
| Feb 5, 2008 | EF4 | 84 km | 16.2 mi | 3 |
| May 4, 2003 | EF4 | 88 km | 39.0 mi | 11 |
| Jan 17, 1999 | EF4 | 94 km | 16.0 mi | 6 |
| Apr 19, 1970 | EF4 | 5 km | 47.6 mi | 4 |
| Apr 29, 1963 | EF4 | 71 km | 4.7 mi | 3 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 69 km | 29.6 mi | 16 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 60 km | 46.8 mi | 38 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF3 | 49 km | 86.0 mi | 9 |
| Mar 24, 2023 | EF3 | 99 km | 36.6 mi | 2 |
| Dec 23, 2015 | EF3 | 100 km | 48.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2014 | EF3 | 57 km | 31.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 82 km | 13.6 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 2010 | EF3 | 24 km | 29.6 mi | 3 |
| May 8, 2008 | EF3 | 54 km | 7.6 mi | 0 |
| Feb 5, 2008 | EF3 | 81 km | 31.1 mi | 3 |
| Feb 5, 2008 | EF3 | 65 km | 7.2 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 2003 | EF3 | 83 km | 21.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 24, 2001 | EF3 | 87 km | 52.0 mi | 6 |
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 | 57 km |
| 2014 | C-55 CHILLI LAKE | 3,555 | 20 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 3,152 | 34 km |
| 2014 | C-39 EAST CHEWALLA | 3,107 | 34 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 3,031 | 19 km |
| 2022 | HOLLY SPRINGS BB 119/90/88 | 2,955 | 50 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,848 | 34 km |
| 2006 | WITCHDCE W | 2,846 | 88 km |
| 2014 | C-84 BAGLEY BOTTOMS | 2,766 | 51 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,645 | 57 km |
| 2013 | MIDWAY CEM PRESCRIBED BURN | 2,513 | 48 km |
| 2007 | WITCHDANCE EAST | 2,285 | 89 km |
| 2013 | PUSKUS LAKE | 2,271 | 50 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,248 | 35 km |
| 2021 | TOMBIGBEE CPT - 18/19/23/24 | 2,201 | 89 km |
| 2022 | HOLLY SPRINGS BB 51/52/53 | 2,182 | 17 km |
| 2010 | COMP 42 | 2,142 | 34 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,073 | 51 km |
| 2022 | HOLLY SPRINGS BB10 11 12 14 | 1,977 | 16 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 1,972 | 32 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 39°F (4°C) | 4.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 43°F (6°C) | 4.8 in | |
| March | 52°F (11°C) | 6.1 in | Wettest |
| April | 60°F (16°C) | 5.6 in | |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 5.6 in | |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 4.0 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 4.6 in | Warmest |
| August | 78°F (26°C) | 3.3 in | Driest |
| September | 72°F (22°C) | 3.8 in | |
| October | 61°F (16°C) | 3.4 in | |
| November | 51°F (10°C) | 5.7 in | |
| December | 42°F (6°C) | 5.9 in |
Ripley has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 39°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 57.3 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.1") and August the driest (3.3").