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Weather & Climate in Rock Island, OK
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Rock Island enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. The area gets 310 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 47.3 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 2.9 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 45. The city sits at an elevation of 494 feet.
Temperature
40°F Jan (5°C)
83°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 62.4°F |
| 16% above US avg | |
| January Average | 40°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 83°F (28°C) |
| Sunny Days | 310 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 494 ft (151 m) |
| Area | 12.1 sq mi (31.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 62/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.1849°N, 94.4826°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Sebastian County County |
| Nearest Airport | Fort Smith Regional (FSM) 9 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 45.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 86.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 48.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 38.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
87 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.1.
| Apr 3, 2012 | 8 km SSW of Pittsburg, Oklahoma | M4.1 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Aug 24, 2021 | 1 km S of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.7 | 81 km | 7 km |
| Aug 18, 2019 | 1 km ENE of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.7 | 79 km | 6 km |
| Nov 15, 1990 | 16 km NNW of Hector, Arkansas | M3.5 | 139 km | 29 km |
| Mar 16, 1997 | 6 km SSE of Amity, Arkansas | M3.4 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Aug 22, 2021 | 3 km ESE of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.4 | 78 km | 7 km |
| Jul 22, 2021 | 2 km E of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.3 | 78 km | 8 km |
| Feb 7, 2020 | 2 km SSW of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.2 | 83 km | 6 km |
| Feb 7, 2020 | 3 km SSW of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.2 | 83 km | 6 km |
| Aug 4, 2001 | 16 km SW of Lake Hamilton, Arkansas | M3.2 | 148 km | 0 km |
| May 27, 2007 | 9 km SW of Hanna, Oklahoma | M3.2 | 136 km | 5 km |
| Aug 12, 2019 | 1 km NE of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.2 | 80 km | 5 km |
| Jun 3, 2022 | 10 km W of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.2 | 91 km | 13 km |
| Mar 14, 2022 | 12 km E of Crowder, Oklahoma | M3.1 | 96 km | 8 km |
| Jan 7, 2018 | 7 km SW of Indianola, Oklahoma | M3.1 | 123 km | 5 km |
| Oct 1, 2010 | 7 km SE of Stuart, Oklahoma | M3.1 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Apr 1, 2020 | 2 km NE of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.1 | 79 km | 9 km |
| Apr 22, 2005 | 17 km N of Swink, Oklahoma | M3.0 | 129 km | 5 km |
| Apr 14, 2012 | 3 km W of Arpelar, Oklahoma | M3.0 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Jul 28, 1990 | 18 km W of Mountain Pine, Arkansas | M2.9 | 120 km | 4 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
496 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 96 fatalities, 1,100 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 26, 1976 | EF5 | 20 km | 11.9 mi | 2 |
| May 24, 2011 | EF4 | 49 km | 45.7 mi | 4 |
| Mar 26, 1976 | EF4 | 71 km | 10.7 mi | 1 |
| May 26, 1973 | EF4 | 86 km | 3.6 mi | 5 |
| Apr 19, 1968 | EF4 | 19 km | 2.0 mi | 14 |
| May 5, 1961 | EF4 | 71 km | 26.4 mi | 16 |
| May 5, 1960 | EF4 | 82 km | 62.4 mi | 16 |
| May 5, 1960 | EF4 | 23 km | 5.4 mi | 5 |
| Jan 22, 1957 | EF4 | 30 km | 0.1 mi | 10 |
| May 24, 2011 | EF3 | 90 km | 29.0 mi | 1 |
| Dec 31, 2010 | EF3 | 91 km | 21.1 mi | 4 |
| Apr 9, 2009 | EF3 | 73 km | 14.8 mi | 3 |
| Jun 1, 1999 | EF3 | 98 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 1999 | EF3 | 43 km | 38.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1996 | EF3 | 22 km | 10.1 mi | 2 |
| Apr 21, 1996 | EF3 | 92 km | 15.0 mi | 2 |
| Nov 22, 1983 | EF3 | 83 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 22, 1983 | EF3 | 78 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 2, 1982 | EF3 | 40 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1981 | EF3 | 99 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (18,089 acres, 2007).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 18,089 | 83 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 15,318 | 37 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 14,774 | 81 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 13,929 | 35 km |
| 2016 | WEST CAVANAL FIRE | 13,100 | 30 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 12,086 | 83 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 11,929 | 35 km |
| 2024 | RX FOUCHE VALLEY | 10,912 | 85 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 10,593 | 43 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 9,749 | 92 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 9,483 | 65 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 9,385 | 55 km |
| 2021 | BILLY CREEK | 9,236 | 58 km |
| 2010 | W72 BLOOD SPRINGS | 8,674 | 93 km |
| 2017 | MIDDLE RIDGE | 8,501 | 46 km |
| 2016 | DOG HOUSE FIRE | 8,304 | 79 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 8,217 | 95 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 7,945 | 56 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 7,919 | 92 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 7,804 | 92 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40°F (5°C) | 2.5 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 44°F (7°C) | 2.8 in | |
| March | 52°F (11°C) | 4.4 in | |
| April | 61°F (16°C) | 4.4 in | |
| May | 69°F (21°C) | 5.8 in | Wettest |
| June | 77°F (25°C) | 4.3 in | |
| July | 83°F (28°C) | 3.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 81°F (27°C) | 2.9 in | |
| September | 73°F (23°C) | 4.6 in | |
| October | 63°F (17°C) | 4.4 in | |
| November | 51°F (10°C) | 4.6 in | |
| December | 42°F (5°C) | 3.7 in |
Rock Island has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 40°F in January to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.6 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.8") and January the driest (2.5").