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Weather & Climate in Russell, AR
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Russell 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 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 51.8 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.8 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 236 feet.
Temperature
40°F Jan (4°C)
83°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 61.8°F |
| 14% above US avg | |
| January Average | 40°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 83°F (28°C) |
| Sunny Days | 301 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 236 ft (72 m) |
| Area | 0.2 sq mi (0.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,262/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.3621°N, 91.5099°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | White County County |
| Nearest Airport | Searcy Regional (SRC) 16 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 85.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 55.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 37.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
299 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.7.
| Feb 28, 2011 | 4 km NE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M4.7 | 77 km | 3 km |
| May 4, 2001 | 8 km NNW of Holland, Arkansas | M4.3 | 72 km | 8 km |
| May 1, 2005 | 5 km SSE of Manila, Arkansas | M4.2 | 134 km | 10 km |
| Feb 10, 2005 | 3 km NNW of Etowah, Arkansas | M4.1 | 122 km | 15 km |
| Feb 18, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M4.1 | 79 km | 6 km |
| Aug 22, 2000 | 19 km WNW of Maynard, Arkansas | M3.9 | 129 km | 10 km |
| Oct 21, 1999 | 9 km NW of Maynard, Arkansas | M3.9 | 134 km | 10 km |
| Jul 7, 1991 | 11 km ENE of Brandsville, Missouri | M3.9 | 147 km | 8 km |
| Feb 18, 2011 | 3 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.9 | 79 km | 5 km |
| Oct 29, 2012 | 8 km SW of Parkin, Arkansas | M3.9 | 82 km | 21 km |
| Apr 8, 2011 | 3 km NE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.9 | 78 km | 6 km |
| Jun 4, 2014 | 3 km ESE of Fairfield Bay, Arkansas | M3.8 | 71 km | 0 km |
| Feb 17, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.8 | 78 km | 6 km |
| Sep 17, 1997 | 2 km E of Trumann, Arkansas | M3.8 | 99 km | 0 km |
| Apr 7, 2011 | 2 km NE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.7 | 79 km | 6 km |
| Sep 12, 2019 | 13 km N of Big Flat, Arkansas | M3.7 | 117 km | 18 km |
| Feb 23, 2013 | 7 km SW of Trumann, Arkansas | M3.7 | 91 km | 14 km |
| Oct 15, 2017 | 6 km SE of Manila, Arkansas | M3.6 | 136 km | 17 km |
| Feb 28, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.6 | 79 km | 4 km |
| Feb 20, 2011 | 3 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.6 | 79 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
589 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 224 fatalities, 2,562 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Dec 10, 2021 | EF4 | 99 km | 81.2 mi | 8 |
| Apr 14, 1996 | EF4 | 91 km | 44.0 mi | 7 |
| Mar 15, 1984 | EF4 | 89 km | 41.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 15, 1984 | EF4 | 28 km | 26.0 mi | 5 |
| Dec 24, 1982 | EF4 | 92 km | 63.0 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 1973 | EF4 | 16 km | 54.8 mi | 3 |
| May 15, 1968 | EF4 | 32 km | 0.3 mi | 7 |
| May 15, 1968 | EF4 | 51 km | 20.9 mi | 35 |
| Apr 10, 1965 | EF4 | 92 km | 4.7 mi | 6 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 47 km | 13.1 mi | 29 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 60 km | 7.6 mi | 2 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 47 km | 0.1 mi | 4 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 23 km | 14.6 mi | 50 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF3 | 54 km | 72.6 mi | 4 |
| Mar 28, 2020 | EF3 | 90 km | 12.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 30, 2010 | EF3 | 24 km | 7.7 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 2008 | EF3 | 97 km | 14.1 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 2008 | EF3 | 99 km | 45.3 mi | 5 |
| May 2, 2008 | EF3 | 91 km | 20.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2006 | EF3 | 45 km | 38.0 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 | — | — | 104 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (4,493 acres, 2019).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 4,493 | 94 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 4,337 | 96 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 3,938 | 88 km |
| 2024 | RX BAD BRANCH 2 | 3,591 | 93 km |
| 2020 | RORIE NORTH | 3,180 | 100 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 2,812 | 100 km |
| 2010 | CAMP | 2,772 | 89 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 2,533 | 97 km |
| 2010 | FIFTY SIX RX | 2,454 | 93 km |
| 2022 | FOZZIE | 2,172 | 95 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 2,138 | 90 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 2,100 | 93 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 2,063 | 95 km |
| 2020 | RORIE SOUTH | 2,034 | 98 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 1,970 | 99 km |
| 2017 | RX - RAMSEY BLOCK 3 | 1,950 | 100 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 1,918 | 94 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 1,886 | 93 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 1,883 | 97 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 1,873 | 97 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40°F (4°C) | 3.2 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 42°F (6°C) | 3.6 in | |
| March | 51°F (11°C) | 5.3 in | Wettest |
| April | 60°F (16°C) | 5.0 in | |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 5.3 in | |
| June | 76°F (25°C) | 3.6 in | |
| July | 83°F (28°C) | 3.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 3.4 in | |
| September | 72°F (22°C) | 4.2 in | |
| October | 61°F (16°C) | 3.6 in | |
| November | 50°F (10°C) | 5.1 in | |
| December | 41°F (5°C) | 4.8 in |
Russell has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 40°F in January to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 50.5 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.3") and January the driest (3.2").