Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Shaw enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 42°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 59.3 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.9 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 133 feet.
Temperature
42°F Jan (6°C)82°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average
63.6°F
18% above US avg
January Average
42°F (6°C)
July Average
82°F (28°C)
Sunny Days
304 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
133 ft (41 m)
Area
1.1 sq mi (2.9 km²)
Population Density
1,429/sq mi
Coordinates
33.6015°N, 90.7720°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Sunflower County County
Nearest Airport
Pinebluff Regional/Grider Field (PBF) 78 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall59.3"
56% above US avg
Snowfall1.9"
Wettest Month (Mar)6.06"
Driest Month (Aug)2.76"
Air Quality
AQI Median
43.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
69.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability
93.9 / 100
Community Resilience
32.2 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Moderate
Hurricane
Relatively Low
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Low
Hail
Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Very Low
Lightning
Relatively Low
Ice Storm
Relatively Moderate
Drought
Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave
Relatively High
Landslide
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
13 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M3.7.
Jan 8, 2019
8 km WNW of Hollandale, Mississippi
M3.7
47 km
16 km
May 3, 2015
7 km SSW of Canton, Mississippi
M3.2
133 km
5 km
Jun 29, 2015
6 km SSW of Canton, Mississippi
M3.2
133 km
5 km
Aug 11, 1996
9 km WSW of Shaw, Mississippi
M3.1
10 km
10 km
Oct 26, 2002
3 km SE of Alligator, Mississippi
M3.1
52 km
3 km
May 3, 2015
8 km WSW of Canton, Mississippi
M3.0
129 km
5 km
Aug 11, 2002
8 km ESE of Darling, Mississippi
M2.8
98 km
4 km
Aug 9, 2019
Mississippi
M2.8
138 km
5 km
Feb 25, 1999
10 km NE of Oakland, Mississippi
M2.8
103 km
5 km
Feb 11, 1991
10 km SSW of Clarksdale, Mississippi
M2.7
59 km
12 km
Apr 11, 1996
9 km ENE of Biscoe, Arkansas
M2.6
148 km
7 km
Aug 17, 2015
9 km N of Madison, Mississippi
M2.6
133 km
5 km
Oct 20, 1999
8 km NE of Clarendon, Arkansas
M2.5
136 km
9 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
2 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980.
Strongest on record: Category 1.
Year
Name
Category
Max Wind
Closest
2020
Laura
Category 2
98 mph
281 km
2005
Katrina
Category 1
92 mph
229 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
474 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 49 fatalities, 712 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Mar 24, 2023
EF4
87 km
59.2 mi
17
Nov 24, 2001
EF4
34 km
30.3 mi
0
Mar 9, 1992
EF4
62 km
20.0 mi
0
Apr 17, 1978
EF4
26 km
3.6 mi
0
Mar 24, 2023
EF3
75 km
29.4 mi
3
Dec 23, 2015
EF3
45 km
61.6 mi
2
Apr 27, 2011
EF3
86 km
23.0 mi
0
Feb 24, 2007
EF3
92 km
29.1 mi
0
Nov 24, 2001
EF3
43 km
5.0 mi
0
Feb 24, 2001
EF3
62 km
42.0 mi
0
Feb 24, 2001
EF3
59 km
22.0 mi
0
May 2, 1997
EF3
70 km
20.0 mi
0
Dec 21, 1990
EF3
91 km
20.0 mi
1
Dec 21, 1990
EF3
78 km
3.5 mi
0
Nov 19, 1988
EF3
40 km
4.0 mi
0
Apr 24, 1976
EF3
76 km
24.6 mi
0
Mar 20, 1976
EF3
86 km
4.6 mi
0
Nov 24, 1973
EF3
54 km
0.1 mi
0
Nov 20, 1973
EF3
67 km
11.9 mi
0
Apr 21, 1972
EF3
45 km
12.8 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
8 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: COMP 139 (1,671 acres, 2010).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2010
COMP 139
1,671
95 km
2010
DREW
1,283
83 km
2010
COMP 134
1,257
97 km
2010
COMP 135
1,063
100 km
2013
C-132
889
98 km
2022
HOLLY SPRINGS BB 133
866
95 km
1993
UNNAMED
651
98 km
1998
UNNAMED
577
84 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
42°F (6°C)
4.8 in
Coldest
February
47°F (8°C)
4.8 in
March
55°F (13°C)
6.1 in
Wettest
April
63°F (17°C)
5.5 in
May
72°F (22°C)
5.4 in
June
79°F (26°C)
4.3 in
July
82°F (28°C)
4.5 in
Warmest
August
81°F (27°C)
2.8 in
Driest
September
75°F (24°C)
3.3 in
October
64°F (18°C)
3.4 in
November
54°F (12°C)
5.2 in
December
46°F (8°C)
5.8 in
Shaw has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 42°F in January to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 55.8 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.1") and August the driest (2.8").