Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Runnelstown enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 67°F (19°C). Winters average 49°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. The area gets 306 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 58.9 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 155 feet.
Temperature
49°F Jan (10°C)82°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average
66.5°F
23% above US avg
January Average
49°F (10°C)
July Average
82°F (28°C)
Sunny Days
306 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
155 ft (47 m)
Area
1.9 sq mi (4.9 km²)
Population Density
183/sq mi
Coordinates
31.3778°N, 89.1143°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Forrest County County
Nearest Airport
Hattiesburg/Laurel Regional (PIB) 15 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall58.9"
55% above US avg
Wettest Month (Mar)6.30"
Driest Month (Oct)3.31"
Air Quality
AQI Median
43.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
78.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability
59.8 / 100
Community Resilience
67.7 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively High
Hurricane
Relatively Moderate
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Relatively Low
Flood
Relatively Low
Hail
Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind
Relatively High
Heat Wave
Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather
Relatively Moderate
Lightning
Relatively High
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
8 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
84 km
5 km
Mar 25, 1996
11 km NNE of Quitman, Mississippi
M3.5
94 km
5 km
Mar 22, 2005
9 km NNE of Coffeeville, Alabama
M3.3
112 km
5 km
May 16, 2008
10 km W of Coffeeville, Alabama
M3.1
97 km
5 km
Mar 15, 2025
5 km NNE of Magee, Mississippi
M3.0
82 km
10 km
May 21, 2002
7 km ESE of York, Alabama
M3.0
147 km
27 km
May 7, 1998
9 km SSE of Bellamy, Alabama
M2.8
146 km
10 km
Sep 5, 2000
2 km NNE of Sweet Water, Alabama
M2.5
145 km
0 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
261 km
2021
Ida
Category 4
150 mph
183 km
2020
Zeta
Category 3
115 mph
21 km
2020
Sally
Category 2
109 mph
174 km
2017
Nate
Category 1
86 mph
109 km
2012
Isaac
Category 1
81 mph
257 km
2008
Gustav
Category 2
109 mph
280 km
2005
Katrina
Category 4
127 mph
56 km
2005
Dennis
Category 4
127 mph
184 km
2005
Cindy
Category 1
75 mph
260 km
2004
Ivan
Category 3
127 mph
134 km
1998
Georges
Category 2
109 mph
89 km
1997
Danny
Category 1
81 mph
159 km
1995
Opal
Category 3
127 mph
224 km
1995
Erin
Category 2
98 mph
177 km
1992
Andrew
Category 4
138 mph
265 km
1988
Florence
Category 1
81 mph
233 km
1985
Elena
Category 3
121 mph
100 km
1985
Juan
Category 1
86 mph
288 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
721 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 56 fatalities, 1,427 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Apr 19, 2020
EF4
88 km
53.8 mi
1
Apr 12, 2020
EF4
62 km
67.4 mi
7
Feb 10, 2013
EF4
35 km
21.7 mi
0
Apr 27, 2011
EF4
81 km
122.0 mi
7
Nov 22, 1992
EF4
65 km
40.0 mi
0
Feb 28, 1987
EF4
19 km
35.0 mi
6
Apr 18, 1978
EF4
97 km
19.1 mi
4
Mar 26, 1976
EF4
97 km
18.5 mi
0
Jun 18, 2023
EF3
73 km
6.5 mi
1
Nov 30, 2022
EF3
58 km
19.0 mi
0
Apr 12, 2020
EF3
95 km
83.2 mi
0
Dec 16, 2019
EF3
44 km
5.8 mi
0
Dec 16, 2019
EF3
33 km
61.2 mi
0
Dec 16, 2019
EF3
71 km
18.6 mi
0
Jan 21, 2017
EF3
41 km
31.1 mi
4
Dec 23, 2014
EF3
70 km
12.5 mi
3
Apr 28, 2014
EF3
41 km
10.5 mi
0
Dec 25, 2012
EF3
97 km
60.3 mi
0
Apr 15, 2011
EF3
53 km
18.3 mi
4
Mar 26, 2009
EF3
84 km
17.4 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
29 km
2008
UNNAMED
10,363
54 km
2013
UNNAMED
10,170
45 km
2014
UNNAMED
9,932
29 km
2010
DESOTO 0902
8,713
50 km
2013
UNNAMED
7,660
85 km
2010
DESOTO 1057
7,148
82 km
2015
UNNAMED
7,059
47 km
2014
UNNAMED
6,802
49 km
2005
UNNAMED
6,712
31 km
2000
COW PEN
6,502
29 km
2010
CRIPPLE CHINOOK
6,035
30 km
2005
UNNAMED
5,819
24 km
2018
UNNAMED
5,803
42 km
2010
DESOTO 1064
5,695
89 km
2008
UNNAMED
5,657
36 km
1987
MACHINE GUN
5,601
30 km
1990
PIERCES CREEK
5,544
30 km
2020
369 D
5,362
26 km
2014
UNNAMED
5,230
81 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
49°F (10°C)
6.1 in
Coldest
February
51°F (10°C)
5.2 in
March
58°F (15°C)
6.3 in
Wettest
April
65°F (18°C)
5.2 in
May
72°F (22°C)
5.1 in
June
78°F (26°C)
4.2 in
July
82°F (28°C)
5.8 in
Warmest
August
80°F (27°C)
4.6 in
September
76°F (24°C)
4.3 in
October
65°F (19°C)
3.3 in
Driest
November
56°F (14°C)
4.8 in
December
50°F (10°C)
5.5 in
Runnelstown has a seasonal temperature swing of 33°F / from 49°F in January to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 60.2 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.3") and October the driest (3.3").