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Weather & Climate in Start, LA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Start enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 67°F (19°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 84°F in July. The area gets 299 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 60.0 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 70 feet.
Temperature
48°F Jan (9°C)
84°F Jul (29°C)
| Annual Average | 66.6°F |
| 23% above US avg | |
| January Average | 48°F (9°C) |
| July Average | 84°F (29°C) |
| Sunny Days | 299 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 70 ft (21 m) |
| Area | 3.5 sq mi (9.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 267/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 32.4917°N, 91.8678°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Richland Parish County |
| Nearest Airport | Monroe Regional (MLU) 8 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 42.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 36.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 94.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 63.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| 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 Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
17 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 | 117 km | 16 km |
| Jan 27, 2024 | 4 km SSW of Hall Summit, Louisiana | M3.6 | 142 km | 9 km |
| Jun 10, 1994 | 4 km E of Junction City, Arkansas | M3.2 | 95 km | 5 km |
| Mar 3, 2001 | 2 km SSE of El Dorado, Arkansas | M3.0 | 107 km | 5 km |
| May 16, 2007 | 5 km SW of Calion, Arkansas | M3.0 | 112 km | 5 km |
| Jan 9, 2024 | 1 km S of Edgefield, Louisiana | M2.8 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Jan 11, 2024 | 6 km SSW of Hall Summit, Louisiana | M2.8 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Dec 17, 2001 | 3 km WSW of El Dorado, Arkansas | M2.8 | 111 km | 10 km |
| Jan 9, 1997 | 6 km E of El Dorado, Arkansas | M2.8 | 104 km | 5 km |
| Feb 24, 2020 | 12 km ENE of Junction City, Arkansas | M2.8 | 94 km | 14 km |
| May 11, 2020 | 13 km SSE of El Dorado, Arkansas | M2.8 | 96 km | 12 km |
| Jan 19, 2024 | 7 km SW of Hall Summit, Louisiana | M2.7 | 146 km | 5 km |
| Jan 19, 2024 | 5 km NNE of Edgefield, Louisiana | M2.7 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Apr 23, 2024 | 3 km N of Ringgold, Louisiana | M2.7 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Apr 26, 2024 | 8 km SSE of Doyline, Louisiana | M2.7 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Dec 24, 1997 | 7 km W of El Dorado, Arkansas | M2.6 | 114 km | 5 km |
| Apr 13, 2024 | 4 km NW of Edgefield, Louisiana | M2.6 | 148 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
10 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 | 233 km |
| 2020 | Laura | Category 4 | 150 mph | 128 km |
| 2020 | Delta | Category 2 | 98 mph | 283 km |
| 2008 | Gustav | Category 2 | 98 mph | 244 km |
| 2007 | Humberto | Category 1 | 75 mph | 294 km |
| 2005 | Katrina | Category 3 | 121 mph | 241 km |
| 2002 | Lili | Category 1 | — | 280 km |
| 1992 | Andrew | Category 1 | 92 mph | 222 km |
| 1985 | Elena | Category 3 | 115 mph | 279 km |
| 1985 | Danny | Category 1 | 81 mph | 288 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
592 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 194 fatalities, 2,502 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Feb 21, 1971 | EF5 | 39 km | 109.2 mi | 47 |
| Dec 5, 1953 | EF5 | 93 km | 9.0 mi | 38 |
| Mar 24, 2023 | EF4 | 90 km | 59.2 mi | 17 |
| Apr 24, 2010 | EF4 | 54 km | 149.0 mi | 10 |
| Apr 1, 1983 | EF4 | 23 km | 9.0 mi | 2 |
| Feb 21, 1971 | EF4 | 83 km | 202.1 mi | 58 |
| Dec 13, 2022 | EF3 | 64 km | 9.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 29, 2022 | EF3 | 61 km | 7.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 2020 | EF3 | 26 km | 2.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 2020 | EF3 | 28 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 2019 | EF3 | 76 km | 11.2 mi | 2 |
| Feb 24, 2007 | EF3 | 100 km | 26.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 24, 2005 | EF3 | 91 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 12, 2005 | EF3 | 100 km | 24.0 mi | 2 |
| Nov 23, 2004 | EF3 | 77 km | 15.0 mi | 1 |
| Nov 24, 2001 | EF3 | 34 km | 30.0 mi | 3 |
| Jan 21, 1999 | EF3 | 63 km | 22.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 21, 1992 | EF3 | 79 km | 38.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 21, 1990 | EF3 | 84 km | 18.0 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1984 | EF3 | 68 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 (4,134 acres, 2006).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 4,134 | 76 km |
| 2006 | MOLLICY WARREN | 2,175 | 50 km |
| 2022 | WINN 90 | 2,096 | 99 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 2,042 | 94 km |
| 1996 | 007 CORNEY LAKE BED | 1,716 | 95 km |
| 2010 | COMPARTMENT 90 | 1,605 | 100 km |
| 2022 | WINN 85 86 87 | 1,593 | 95 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 1,469 | 99 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 1,389 | 98 km |
| 2020 | UNNAMED | 1,373 | 99 km |
| 2010 | COMPARTMENT 3 PBURN | 1,305 | 99 km |
| 2022 | WINN 83 | 1,285 | 97 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 1,255 | 100 km |
| 2010 | COMPARTMENT 96 | 1,254 | 99 km |
| 2006 | SHALLOW LAKE ROAD WEST 2 H | 1,146 | 76 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 1,093 | 99 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 1,077 | 97 km |
| 2007 | BOULDIN HOUSE N 3F | 1,061 | 74 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 1,057 | 78 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,005 | 96 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 48°F (9°C) | 5.2 in | Coldest |
| February | 50°F (10°C) | 5.0 in | |
| March | 57°F (14°C) | 5.5 in | |
| April | 65°F (18°C) | 4.7 in | |
| May | 73°F (23°C) | 5.6 in | Wettest |
| June | 79°F (26°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 84°F (29°C) | 3.6 in | Warmest |
| August | 81°F (27°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| September | 76°F (24°C) | 3.3 in | |
| October | 65°F (18°C) | 3.9 in | |
| November | 55°F (13°C) | 4.7 in | |
| December | 48°F (9°C) | 5.6 in |
Start has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 48°F in January to 84°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 54.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.6") and August the driest (3.1").