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Weather & Climate in Ruston, LA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Ruston enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. The area gets 304 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 55.6 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42. The city sits at an elevation of 296 feet.
Temperature
46°F Jan (8°C)
82°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 64.8°F |
| 20% above US avg | |
| January Average | 46°F (8°C) |
| July Average | 82°F (28°C) |
| Sunny Days | 304 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 296 ft (90 m) |
| Area | 0.1 sq mi (0.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,049/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 32.5330°N, 92.6353°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Lincoln Parish County |
| Nearest Airport | Ruston Regional (RSN) 3 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 42.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 64.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 85.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 53.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
21 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.6.
| Jan 27, 2024 | 4 km SSW of Hall Summit, Louisiana | M3.6 | 78 km | 9 km |
| Jan 18, 2025 | 0 km WSW of Mooringsport, Louisiana | M3.5 | 126 km | 5 km |
| Apr 16, 2021 | 8 km WNW of Blanchard, Louisiana | M3.2 | 126 km | 5 km |
| Jun 10, 1994 | 4 km E of Junction City, Arkansas | M3.2 | 54 km | 5 km |
| May 16, 2007 | 5 km SW of Calion, Arkansas | M3.0 | 85 km | 5 km |
| Mar 3, 2001 | 2 km SSE of El Dorado, Arkansas | M3.0 | 73 km | 5 km |
| Jan 6, 2025 | 4 km ESE of Mooringsport, Louisiana | M3.0 | 121 km | 9 km |
| Apr 1, 2021 | 7 km W of Blanchard, Louisiana | M3.0 | 125 km | 5 km |
| Jan 9, 2024 | 1 km S of Edgefield, Louisiana | M2.8 | 86 km | 5 km |
| Jan 11, 2024 | 6 km SSW of Hall Summit, Louisiana | M2.8 | 79 km | 5 km |
| Dec 17, 2001 | 3 km WSW of El Dorado, Arkansas | M2.8 | 74 km | 10 km |
| Jan 9, 1997 | 6 km E of El Dorado, Arkansas | M2.8 | 74 km | 5 km |
| Feb 24, 2020 | 12 km ENE of Junction City, Arkansas | M2.8 | 59 km | 14 km |
| May 11, 2020 | 13 km SSE of El Dorado, Arkansas | M2.8 | 63 km | 12 km |
| Jan 19, 2024 | 7 km SW of Hall Summit, Louisiana | M2.7 | 82 km | 5 km |
| Apr 26, 2024 | 8 km SSE of Doyline, Louisiana | M2.7 | 71 km | 5 km |
| Jan 19, 2024 | 5 km NNE of Edgefield, Louisiana | M2.7 | 80 km | 5 km |
| Apr 23, 2024 | 3 km N of Ringgold, Louisiana | M2.7 | 63 km | 5 km |
| Apr 13, 2024 | 4 km NW of Edgefield, Louisiana | M2.6 | 85 km | 5 km |
| Dec 24, 1997 | 7 km W of El Dorado, Arkansas | M2.6 | 75 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
9 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 3.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2021 | Ida | Category 3 | 121 mph | 277 km |
| 2020 | Laura | Category 3 | 98 mph | 74 km |
| 2020 | Delta | Category 1 | 86 mph | 272 km |
| 2008 | Gustav | Category 1 | — | 258 km |
| 2007 | Humberto | Category 1 | 75 mph | 265 km |
| 2005 | Rita | Category 2 | 75 mph | 265 km |
| 2002 | Lili | Category 1 | — | 284 km |
| 1992 | Andrew | Category 1 | 92 mph | 243 km |
| 1985 | Danny | Category 1 | 81 mph | 282 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
557 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 38 fatalities, 465 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Nov 29, 2010 | EF4 | 84 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 1, 1983 | EF4 | 59 km | 9.0 mi | 2 |
| Dec 13, 2022 | EF3 | 31 km | 9.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 29, 2022 | EF3 | 82 km | 7.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 2020 | EF3 | 44 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 2020 | EF3 | 51 km | 2.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 2019 | EF3 | 4 km | 11.2 mi | 2 |
| Feb 24, 2007 | EF3 | 55 km | 26.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 12, 2005 | EF3 | 55 km | 24.0 mi | 2 |
| Nov 23, 2004 | EF3 | 81 km | 15.0 mi | 1 |
| Nov 24, 2001 | EF3 | 77 km | 30.0 mi | 3 |
| May 4, 1999 | EF3 | 97 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1999 | EF3 | 39 km | 14.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1999 | EF3 | 42 km | 8.5 mi | 0 |
| Nov 3, 1992 | EF3 | 45 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 19, 1983 | EF3 | 33 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1983 | EF3 | 78 km | 23.0 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1983 | EF3 | 80 km | 12.0 mi | 1 |
| May 19, 1983 | EF3 | 94 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1983 | EF3 | 73 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (4,498 acres, 2017).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 4,498 | 88 km |
| 2011 | TD13 | 4,208 | 69 km |
| 2024 | RX CAT C-40-41-42 | 3,635 | 98 km |
| 2019 | C-110/111 | 3,516 | 88 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 3,408 | 57 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,925 | 75 km |
| 2010 | COMPARTMENT 38 PBURN | 2,902 | 59 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 2,860 | 88 km |
| 2010 | COMPARTMENT 56 PBURN | 2,852 | 71 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,782 | 62 km |
| 2024 | RX WINN-40-115 | 2,724 | 62 km |
| 2021 | WINN 13 17 18 | 2,683 | 59 km |
| 2022 | WINN 110/111 | 2,642 | 87 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 2,639 | 57 km |
| 2022 | WINN C40 / 115 | 2,626 | 62 km |
| 2022 | C-32/33/34 | 2,580 | 97 km |
| 2020 | UNNAMED | 2,539 | 91 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,523 | 91 km |
| 2018 | WINN C-24 | 2,522 | 57 km |
| 2024 | RX CAT C-8-9 | 2,513 | 90 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 46°F (8°C) | 4.8 in | Coldest |
| February | 49°F (9°C) | 4.8 in | |
| March | 56°F (14°C) | 5.3 in | |
| April | 64°F (18°C) | 4.4 in | |
| May | 71°F (22°C) | 5.7 in | Wettest |
| June | 78°F (26°C) | 4.0 in | |
| July | 82°F (28°C) | 4.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 81°F (27°C) | 3.2 in | Driest |
| September | 75°F (24°C) | 3.7 in | |
| October | 64°F (18°C) | 3.9 in | |
| November | 54°F (12°C) | 4.6 in | |
| December | 47°F (8°C) | 5.3 in |
Ruston has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 46°F in January to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 53.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.7") and August the driest (3.2").