Weather & Climate in Sparta, MO
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sparta experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (11°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 48.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 16.7 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. The city sits at an elevation of 1,417 feet.
Temperature
30°F Jan (-1°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 52.6°F |
| 3% below US avg | |
| January Average | 30°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,417 ft (432 m) |
| Area | 1.2 sq mi (3.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,918/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.0012°N, 93.0816°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| Nearest Airport | Marion County Regional (FLP) 56 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
24 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.9.
| Jul 7, 1991 | 11 km ENE of Brandsville, Missouri | M3.9 | 139 km | 8 km |
| Aug 16, 2003 | 5 km W of Thomasville, Missouri | M3.7 | 134 km | 0 km |
| Sep 12, 2019 | 13 km N of Big Flat, Arkansas | M3.7 | 114 km | 18 km |
| Jun 11, 2017 | 6 km NNE of Bergman, Arkansas | M3.6 | 70 km | 6 km |
| Jun 27, 2000 | 15 km WSW of Marshall, Arkansas | M3.4 | 132 km | 0 km |
| Mar 30, 2001 | 1 km SW of Hermitage, Missouri | M3.1 | 106 km | 5 km |
| Jan 21, 1992 | 5 km SE of Linn Creek, Missouri | M3.1 | 117 km | 5 km |
| Mar 18, 1990 | 9 km W of Alton, Missouri | M3.0 | 144 km | 1 km |
| Jun 16, 2017 | 6 km N of Bergman, Arkansas | M2.9 | 70 km | 6 km |
| Mar 12, 1990 | 9 km NNE of Briarcliff, Arkansas | M2.8 | 103 km | 0 km |
| Sep 5, 2013 | 17 km W of Dennard, Arkansas | M2.7 | 145 km | 4 km |
| Nov 26, 1999 | 9 km NNE of Mountain Home, Arkansas | M2.7 | 92 km | 3 km |
| Jul 3, 2014 | 6 km S of Yellville, Arkansas | M2.7 | 100 km | 8 km |
| Feb 14, 2019 | 11 km WSW of Mountain View, Missouri | M2.6 | 113 km | 7 km |
| May 21, 2010 | 2 km SW of Centerton, Arkansas | M2.6 | 131 km | 1 km |
| Apr 23, 2025 | 3 km E of Hartville, Missouri | M2.6 | 61 km | 4 km |
| Apr 29, 2018 | 3 km WNW of Evergreen, Missouri | M2.5 | 74 km | 2 km |
| May 13, 2015 | 8 km E of Lead Hill, Arkansas | M2.5 | 67 km | 0 km |
| Jun 21, 2017 | 6 km N of Bergman, Arkansas | M2.5 | 70 km | 5 km |
| Jan 4, 2024 | 13 km E of South Lead Hill, Arkansas | M2.5 | 72 km | 4 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
493 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 41 fatalities, 674 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Nov 29, 1991 | EF4 | 22 km | 10.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 2, 1982 | EF4 | 91 km | 20.0 mi | 2 |
| Sep 26, 1959 | EF4 | 53 km | 7.8 mi | 0 |
| Mar 25, 1954 | EF4 | 83 km | 12.1 mi | 2 |
| May 26, 2024 | EF3 | 92 km | 21.6 mi | 4 |
| May 26, 2024 | EF3 | 96 km | 34.6 mi | 1 |
| Jan 7, 2008 | EF3 | 32 km | 50.4 mi | 3 |
| Mar 1, 2007 | EF3 | 95 km | 15.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 12, 2006 | EF3 | 99 km | 17.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 2006 | EF3 | 33 km | 32.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 2006 | EF3 | 64 km | 42.0 mi | 1 |
| May 4, 2003 | EF3 | 100 km | 49.0 mi | 7 |
| Nov 18, 1985 | EF3 | 98 km | 34.0 mi | 3 |
| Apr 29, 1983 | EF3 | 40 km | 5.5 mi | 1 |
| Apr 2, 1982 | EF3 | 76 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 11, 1979 | EF3 | 85 km | 35.4 mi | 0 |
| Mar 26, 1976 | EF3 | 98 km | 29.1 mi | 1 |
| Apr 20, 1973 | EF3 | 95 km | 7.8 mi | 1 |
| Apr 20, 1973 | EF3 | 89 km | 7.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 20, 1973 | EF3 | 90 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (6,931 acres, 2007).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 6,931 | 40 km |
| 2011 | UNNAMED | 6,686 | 45 km |
| 2010 | BRUSHY/CLAYTON | 6,401 | 40 km |
| 2020 | BIG CREEK | 6,399 | 45 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 5,344 | 88 km |
| 2021 | ROCK PILE | 5,067 | 93 km |
| 2006 | BIG SPRING FIRE | 4,921 | 100 km |
| 2009 | MOUNTAIN CREEK | 4,322 | 93 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 4,179 | 89 km |
| 2016 | BIG CREEK | 4,031 | 47 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 3,533 | 86 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 3,492 | 92 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 3,135 | 93 km |
| 2012 | KINFOLK RD | 2,883 | 91 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 2,710 | 100 km |
| 2021 | GOETZ | 2,615 | 49 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 2,569 | 89 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 2,542 | 91 km |
| 2019 | SWAN CREEK | 2,365 | 19 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 2,340 | 91 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.6 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 34°F (1°C) | 2.8 in | |
| March | 43°F (6°C) | 4.0 in | |
| April | 53°F (12°C) | 5.2 in | Wettest |
| May | 62°F (17°C) | 5.1 in | |
| June | 69°F (21°C) | 4.7 in | |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 4.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 4.3 in | |
| September | 65°F (18°C) | 4.8 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 3.2 in | |
| November | 42°F (6°C) | 4.0 in | |
| December | 33°F (0°C) | 3.2 in |
Sparta has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 30°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.5 inches, with April being the wettest month (5.2") and January the driest (2.6").