Weather & Climate in Short, OK

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Short enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°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 53.4 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 3.1 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 45. The city sits at an elevation of 667 feet.

Temperature

38°F Jan (3°C) 80°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	59.0°F
	9% above US avg
January Average	38°F (3°C)
July Average	80°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	667 ft (203 m)
Area	10.9 sq mi (28.3 km²)
Population Density	13/sq mi
Coordinates	35.5682°N, 94.4954°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Crawford County County
Nearest Airport	Fort Smith Regional (FSM) 19 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 53.4"

41% above US avg

Snowfall 3.1"

Wettest Month (May) 5.98"

Driest Month (Jan) 2.40"

Air Quality

AQI Median	45.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	71.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	38.3 / 100
Community Resilience	26.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Hurricane	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Relatively Moderate
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm	Relatively High
Drought	Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Relatively Moderate

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

75 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.7.

Aug 24, 2021	1 km S of Quinton, Oklahoma	M3.7	94 km	7 km
Aug 18, 2019	1 km ENE of Quinton, Oklahoma	M3.7	92 km	6 km
Nov 15, 1990	16 km NNW of Hector, Arkansas	M3.5	132 km	29 km
Aug 22, 2021	3 km ESE of Quinton, Oklahoma	M3.4	92 km	7 km
Jul 22, 2021	2 km E of Quinton, Oklahoma	M3.3	91 km	8 km
Feb 7, 2020	2 km SSW of Quinton, Oklahoma	M3.2	96 km	6 km
Feb 7, 2020	3 km SSW of Quinton, Oklahoma	M3.2	96 km	6 km
May 27, 2007	9 km SW of Hanna, Oklahoma	M3.2	142 km	5 km
Aug 12, 2019	1 km NE of Quinton, Oklahoma	M3.2	92 km	5 km
Jun 3, 2022	10 km W of Quinton, Oklahoma	M3.2	102 km	13 km
Mar 14, 2022	12 km E of Crowder, Oklahoma	M3.1	108 km	8 km
Jan 7, 2018	7 km SW of Indianola, Oklahoma	M3.1	132 km	5 km
Apr 1, 2020	2 km NE of Quinton, Oklahoma	M3.1	91 km	9 km
Jul 28, 1990	18 km W of Mountain Pine, Arkansas	M2.9	148 km	4 km
Feb 3, 2021	1 km SW of Quinton, Oklahoma	M2.9	95 km	7 km
Sep 21, 2019	2 km NNE of Quinton, Oklahoma	M2.9	92 km	7 km
May 8, 2022	13 km WSW of Quinton, Oklahoma	M2.9	107 km	7 km
Aug 14, 2024	13 km WSW of Quinton, Oklahoma	M2.9	107 km	8 km
Aug 12, 2021	2 km E of Quinton, Oklahoma	M2.8	92 km	7 km
Jul 8, 2019	3 km ENE of Quinton, OK	M2.8	90 km	10 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

600 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 61 fatalities, 948 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Mar 26, 1976	EF5	45 km	11.9 mi	2
May 24, 2011	EF4	59 km	45.7 mi	4
May 26, 1973	EF4	75 km	3.6 mi	5
Apr 19, 1968	EF4	46 km	2.0 mi	14
May 5, 1960	EF4	22 km	5.4 mi	5
Jan 22, 1957	EF4	25 km	0.1 mi	10
May 25, 2024	EF3	82 km	7.9 mi	0
Mar 30, 2022	EF3	69 km	5.2 mi	0
May 24, 2011	EF3	89 km	29.0 mi	1
Dec 31, 2010	EF3	48 km	21.1 mi	4
Mar 12, 2006	EF3	80 km	29.0 mi	0
Mar 12, 2006	EF3	75 km	25.0 mi	0
Jun 1, 1999	EF3	81 km	2.0 mi	2
Jun 1, 1999	EF3	94 km	4.5 mi	0
May 4, 1999	EF3	5 km	38.2 mi	0
Apr 21, 1996	EF3	69 km	15.0 mi	2
Apr 21, 1996	EF3	21 km	10.1 mi	2
Nov 22, 1983	EF3	39 km	19.0 mi	0
Dec 2, 1982	EF3	26 km	1.0 mi	0
Apr 19, 1981	EF3	67 km	3.0 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (18,089 acres, 2007).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2007	UNNAMED	18,089	60 km
2000	UNNAMED	15,318	53 km
2007	UNNAMED	14,774	59 km
1998	UNNAMED	13,929	51 km
2016	WEST CAVANAL FIRE	13,100	62 km
2004	UNNAMED	12,086	62 km
2016	UNNAMED	11,929	51 km
2007	UNNAMED	10,593	84 km
2016	UNNAMED	9,483	97 km
2013	UNNAMED	9,385	84 km
2021	BILLY CREEK	9,236	99 km
2017	MIDDLE RIDGE	8,501	12 km
2014	UNNAMED	7,945	83 km
2016	UNNAMED	7,919	72 km
2013	UNNAMED	7,804	72 km
2003	UNNAMED	7,415	47 km
2019	UNNAMED	7,344	72 km
2022	RIVER ROAD	6,722	99 km
2007	UNNAMED	6,657	10 km
2017	HILLTOP	6,523	64 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	38°F (3°C)	2.4 in	Coldest, Driest
February	42°F (6°C)	2.9 in
March	51°F (10°C)	4.7 in
April	59°F (15°C)	4.4 in
May	67°F (20°C)	6.0 in	Wettest
June	75°F (24°C)	4.1 in
July	80°F (26°C)	3.3 in	Warmest
August	79°F (26°C)	3.4 in
September	72°F (22°C)	4.7 in
October	61°F (16°C)	4.5 in
November	49°F (10°C)	4.4 in
December	40°F (5°C)	3.4 in

Short has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 38°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.2 inches, with May being the wettest month (6.0") and January the driest (2.4").

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