Weather & Climate in Sterlington, LA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sterlington enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 66°F (19°C). Winters average 47°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 55.1 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. 80% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 78 feet.
Temperature
47°F Jan (8°C)
83°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 65.7°F |
| 22% above US avg | |
| January Average | 47°F (8°C) |
| July Average | 83°F (28°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 78 ft (24 m) |
| Area | 1.1 sq mi (2.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 723/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 32.6889°N, 92.0603°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Ouachita Parish County |
| Nearest Airport | Monroe Regional (MLU) 14 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 79.8% |
| Unhealthy Days | 0 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 87.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 81.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 79.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
18 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 | 119 km | 16 km |
| Jan 27, 2024 | 4 km SSW of Hall Summit, Louisiana | M3.6 | 133 km | 9 km |
| Jun 10, 1994 | 4 km E of Junction City, Arkansas | M3.2 | 68 km | 5 km |
| Aug 11, 1996 | 9 km WSW of Shaw, Mississippi | M3.1 | 148 km | 10 km |
| May 16, 2007 | 5 km SW of Calion, Arkansas | M3.0 | 84 km | 5 km |
| Mar 3, 2001 | 2 km SSE of El Dorado, Arkansas | M3.0 | 79 km | 5 km |
| Dec 17, 2001 | 3 km WSW of El Dorado, Arkansas | M2.8 | 82 km | 10 km |
| Jan 9, 1997 | 6 km E of El Dorado, Arkansas | M2.8 | 76 km | 5 km |
| Jan 11, 2024 | 6 km SSW of Hall Summit, Louisiana | M2.8 | 134 km | 5 km |
| Jan 9, 2024 | 1 km S of Edgefield, Louisiana | M2.8 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Feb 24, 2020 | 12 km ENE of Junction City, Arkansas | M2.8 | 66 km | 14 km |
| May 11, 2020 | 13 km SSE of El Dorado, Arkansas | M2.8 | 68 km | 12 km |
| Apr 26, 2024 | 8 km SSE of Doyline, Louisiana | M2.7 | 127 km | 5 km |
| Apr 23, 2024 | 3 km N of Ringgold, Louisiana | M2.7 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Jan 19, 2024 | 5 km NNE of Edgefield, Louisiana | M2.7 | 135 km | 5 km |
| Jan 19, 2024 | 7 km SW of Hall Summit, Louisiana | M2.7 | 137 km | 5 km |
| Dec 24, 1997 | 7 km W of El Dorado, Arkansas | M2.6 | 86 km | 5 km |
| Apr 13, 2024 | 4 km NW of Edgefield, Louisiana | M2.6 | 140 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
7 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 3.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2021 | Ida | Category 2 | 75 mph | 261 km |
| 2020 | Laura | Category 3 | 98 mph | 124 km |
| 2020 | Delta | Category 1 | 86 mph | 299 km |
| 2008 | Gustav | Category 1 | - | 266 km |
| 2005 | Katrina | Category 3 | 121 mph | 265 km |
| 2002 | Lili | Category 1 | - | 300 km |
| 1992 | Andrew | Category 1 | 92 mph | 246 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
541 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 148 fatalities, 2,037 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Feb 21, 1971 | EF5 | 65 km | 109.2 mi | 47 |
| Apr 24, 2010 | EF4 | 78 km | 149.0 mi | 10 |
| Apr 1, 1983 | EF4 | 6 km | 9.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 28, 1975 | EF4 | 96 km | 5.4 mi | 7 |
| Feb 21, 1971 | EF4 | 97 km | 202.1 mi | 58 |
| Dec 13, 2022 | EF3 | 39 km | 9.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 29, 2022 | EF3 | 80 km | 7.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 2020 | EF3 | 26 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 2020 | EF3 | 8 km | 2.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 2019 | EF3 | 61 km | 11.2 mi | 2 |
| Feb 24, 2007 | EF3 | 73 km | 26.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 12, 2005 | EF3 | 73 km | 24.0 mi | 2 |
| Nov 23, 2004 | EF3 | 92 km | 15.0 mi | 1 |
| Nov 24, 2001 | EF3 | 21 km | 30.0 mi | 3 |
| Apr 3, 1999 | EF3 | 77 km | 14.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1999 | EF3 | 96 km | 8.5 mi | 0 |
| Jan 21, 1999 | EF3 | 91 km | 22.0 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1984 | EF3 | 81 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 19, 1983 | EF3 | 56 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1983 | EF3 | 57 km | 2.0 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 | 60 km |
| 2022 | CANEY C 11-14 | 2,323 | 85 km |
| 2006 | MOLLICY WARREN | 2,175 | 27 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 2,042 | 69 km |
| 1996 | 007 CORNEY LAKE BED | 1,716 | 69 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,618 | 90 km |
| 2010 | COMPARTMENT 5 PBURN | 1,541 | 98 km |
| 2017 | COMPARTMENT 4 P BURN | 1,514 | 100 km |
| 2018 | MIDDLEFORK UNIT | 1,514 | 89 km |
| 2012 | LACEY | 1,439 | 88 km |
| 2024 | RX WINN C-6 | 1,381 | 99 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 1,312 | 98 km |
| 2010 | DREW | 1,283 | 92 km |
| 2020 | C-5 | 1,158 | 99 km |
| 2006 | SHALLOW LAKE ROAD WEST 2 H | 1,146 | 50 km |
| 2013 | SINGLETON CREEK | 1,124 | 78 km |
| 2007 | BOULDIN HOUSE N 3F | 1,061 | 47 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 1,057 | 53 km |
| 2011 | SHALLOW LAKE WEST | 900 | 50 km |
| 2000 | SHALLOW LAKE W | 892 | 50 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 47°F (8°C) | 5.2 in | Coldest |
| February | 51°F (10°C) | 4.7 in | |
| March | 58°F (15°C) | 5.2 in | |
| April | 66°F (19°C) | 5.8 in | Wettest |
| May | 74°F (23°C) | 4.4 in | |
| June | 80°F (27°C) | 4.5 in | |
| July | 83°F (28°C) | 3.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 83°F (28°C) | 3.6 in | |
| September | 77°F (25°C) | 3.6 in | Driest |
| October | 66°F (19°C) | 5.0 in | |
| November | 56°F (13°C) | 4.2 in | |
| December | 49°F (9°C) | 5.2 in |
Sterlington has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 47°F in January to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 55.1 inches, with April being the wettest month (5.8") and September the driest (3.6").