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Weather & Climate in Shirley, AR
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Shirley enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (15°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 80°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 51.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 4.9 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 550 feet.
Temperature
38°F Jan (3°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 59.7°F |
| 11% above US avg | |
| January Average | 38°F (3°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 301 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 550 ft (168 m) |
| Area | 2.5 sq mi (6.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 127/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.6438°N, 92.3135°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Van Buren County County |
| Nearest Airport | Batesville Regional (BVX) 38 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 50.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 93.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 10.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
257 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 | 42 km | 3 km |
| May 4, 2001 | 8 km NNW of Holland, Arkansas | M4.3 | 45 km | 8 km |
| Feb 18, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M4.1 | 42 km | 6 km |
| Feb 18, 2011 | 3 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.9 | 43 km | 5 km |
| Aug 22, 2000 | 19 km WNW of Maynard, Arkansas | M3.9 | 143 km | 10 km |
| Apr 8, 2011 | 3 km NE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.9 | 43 km | 6 km |
| Jul 7, 1991 | 11 km ENE of Brandsville, Missouri | M3.9 | 134 km | 8 km |
| Feb 17, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.8 | 42 km | 6 km |
| Jun 4, 2014 | 3 km ESE of Fairfield Bay, Arkansas | M3.8 | 10 km | 0 km |
| Aug 16, 2003 | 5 km W of Thomasville, Missouri | M3.7 | 143 km | 0 km |
| Sep 12, 2019 | 13 km N of Big Flat, Arkansas | M3.7 | 55 km | 18 km |
| Apr 7, 2011 | 2 km NE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.7 | 44 km | 6 km |
| Jun 11, 2017 | 6 km NNE of Bergman, Arkansas | M3.6 | 102 km | 6 km |
| Feb 28, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.6 | 42 km | 4 km |
| Feb 20, 2011 | 3 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.6 | 43 km | 5 km |
| Feb 16, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.5 | 42 km | 7 km |
| Nov 15, 1990 | 16 km NNW of Hector, Arkansas | M3.5 | 66 km | 29 km |
| Mar 3, 2011 | 0 km N of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.5 | 45 km | 7 km |
| Apr 8, 2011 | 2 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.5 | 43 km | 6 km |
| Mar 9, 2011 | 1 km NW of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.5 | 45 km | 6 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
512 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 161 fatalities, 1,929 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Feb 5, 2008 | EF4 | 91 km | 121.8 mi | 13 |
| Apr 14, 1996 | EF4 | 20 km | 44.0 mi | 7 |
| Mar 15, 1984 | EF4 | 100 km | 26.0 mi | 5 |
| Mar 15, 1984 | EF4 | 14 km | 41.0 mi | 2 |
| Dec 24, 1982 | EF4 | 86 km | 63.0 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 1973 | EF4 | 95 km | 54.8 mi | 3 |
| May 15, 1968 | EF4 | 76 km | 0.3 mi | 7 |
| Apr 10, 1965 | EF4 | 67 km | 4.7 mi | 6 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 93 km | 7.6 mi | 2 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 73 km | 14.6 mi | 50 |
| May 26, 2024 | EF3 | 70 km | 34.6 mi | 1 |
| May 26, 2024 | EF3 | 89 km | 21.6 mi | 4 |
| Apr 30, 2010 | EF3 | 48 km | 20.3 mi | 1 |
| Apr 30, 2010 | EF3 | 97 km | 7.7 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 2008 | EF3 | 45 km | 45.3 mi | 5 |
| Nov 27, 2005 | EF3 | 69 km | 15.0 mi | 1 |
| Nov 27, 2005 | EF3 | 76 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 2003 | EF3 | 72 km | 34.9 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 2003 | EF3 | 98 km | 43.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 18, 2002 | EF3 | 61 km | 9.8 mi | 1 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (14,993 acres, 2007).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 14,993 | 93 km |
| 2007 | DEAD HORSE | 10,389 | 55 km |
| 2004 | LOWER WILD | 10,034 | 55 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 9,368 | 93 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 9,226 | 57 km |
| 2013 | LOWER WILDERNESS RX | 8,699 | 56 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 8,286 | 56 km |
| 2021 | SYL BIRMINGHAM | 6,803 | 48 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 6,457 | 52 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 6,354 | 68 km |
| 2010 | LITTLE PINEY | 5,782 | 92 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 5,504 | 85 km |
| 2006 | SULPHUR CREEK 2 | 5,469 | 67 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 5,118 | 56 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 4,912 | 56 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 4,900 | 91 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 4,873 | 48 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 4,724 | 94 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 4,493 | 45 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 4,337 | 45 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 38°F (3°C) | 2.8 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 42°F (5°C) | 3.6 in | |
| March | 50°F (10°C) | 5.4 in | |
| April | 59°F (15°C) | 4.6 in | |
| May | 67°F (19°C) | 5.5 in | Wettest |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 3.7 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 3.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 78°F (26°C) | 3.5 in | |
| September | 71°F (22°C) | 4.6 in | |
| October | 61°F (16°C) | 4.0 in | |
| November | 49°F (10°C) | 4.9 in | |
| December | 41°F (5°C) | 4.6 in |
Shirley has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 38°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 50.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.5") and January the driest (2.8").