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Weather & Climate in Thornton, AR
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Thornton enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. The area gets 304 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 57.6 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 297 feet.
Temperature
42°F Jan (5°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 61.7°F |
| 14% above US avg | |
| January Average | 42°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 304 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 297 ft (91 m) |
| Area | 1.9 sq mi (5.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 164/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 33.7749°N, 92.4877°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Calhoun County County |
| Nearest Airport | Pinebluff Regional/Grider Field (PBF) 42 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 2.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 12.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 11.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
16 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.4.
| Mar 16, 1997 | 6 km SSE of Amity, Arkansas | M3.4 | 100 km | 5 km |
| Aug 4, 2001 | 16 km SW of Lake Hamilton, Arkansas | M3.2 | 93 km | 0 km |
| Jun 10, 1994 | 4 km E of Junction City, Arkansas | M3.2 | 86 km | 5 km |
| Mar 3, 2001 | 2 km SSE of El Dorado, Arkansas | M3.0 | 67 km | 5 km |
| May 16, 2007 | 5 km SW of Calion, Arkansas | M3.0 | 54 km | 5 km |
| Jul 28, 1990 | 18 km W of Mountain Pine, Arkansas | M2.9 | 123 km | 4 km |
| Dec 17, 2001 | 3 km WSW of El Dorado, Arkansas | M2.8 | 67 km | 10 km |
| Jan 9, 1997 | 6 km E of El Dorado, Arkansas | M2.8 | 65 km | 5 km |
| Feb 24, 2020 | 12 km ENE of Junction City, Arkansas | M2.8 | 79 km | 14 km |
| May 11, 2020 | 13 km SSE of El Dorado, Arkansas | M2.8 | 76 km | 12 km |
| Sep 22, 2001 | 17 km SSE of Plainview, Arkansas | M2.6 | 137 km | 5 km |
| Nov 11, 1998 | 22 km NW of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas | M2.6 | 131 km | 5 km |
| Dec 24, 1997 | 7 km W of El Dorado, Arkansas | M2.6 | 68 km | 5 km |
| Oct 18, 2009 | 9 km SE of Redfield, Arkansas | M2.6 | 77 km | 29 km |
| Jan 12, 2017 | 9 km E of Leola, Arkansas | M2.6 | 45 km | 10 km |
| Aug 4, 1991 | 10 km SW of Mountain Pine, Arkansas | M2.5 | 107 km | 2 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
1 hurricane (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2020 | Laura | Category 2 | 98 mph | 206 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
428 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 55 fatalities, 882 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF4 | 95 km | 11.0 mi | 5 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF4 | 83 km | 14.0 mi | 10 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF4 | 63 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF4 | 79 km | 27.0 mi | 6 |
| Mar 28, 1975 | EF4 | 42 km | 5.4 mi | 7 |
| Apr 3, 1968 | EF4 | 61 km | 33.7 mi | 5 |
| Dec 19, 1957 | EF4 | 85 km | 17.7 mi | 2 |
| Feb 24, 2007 | EF3 | 68 km | 29.1 mi | 0 |
| Feb 24, 2007 | EF3 | 87 km | 26.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 12, 2005 | EF3 | 87 km | 24.0 mi | 2 |
| Feb 24, 2001 | EF3 | 98 km | 42.0 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 1999 | EF3 | 90 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 21, 1999 | EF3 | 86 km | 39.0 mi | 3 |
| Jan 21, 1999 | EF3 | 21 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 21, 1999 | EF3 | 62 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 1996 | EF3 | 83 km | 26.0 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 1996 | EF3 | 47 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 9, 1984 | EF3 | 61 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| May 14, 1983 | EF3 | 61 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 3, 1982 | EF3 | 38 km | 10.0 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 | 95 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 2,066 | 55 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 2,042 | 63 km |
| 1996 | 007 CORNEY LAKE BED | 1,716 | 98 km |
| 2012 | LACEY | 1,439 | 64 km |
| 2010 | DREW | 1,283 | 87 km |
| 2006 | SHALLOW LAKE ROAD WEST 2 H | 1,146 | 78 km |
| 2013 | SINGLETON CREEK | 1,124 | 56 km |
| 2007 | BOULDIN HOUSE N 3F | 1,061 | 80 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 1,057 | 77 km |
| 2012 | ROSE HILL | 1,002 | 62 km |
| 2011 | SHALLOW LAKE WEST | 900 | 78 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 896 | 68 km |
| 2000 | SHALLOW LAKE W | 892 | 78 km |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 889 | 79 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 839 | 80 km |
| 2010 | EAST CAMDEN | 837 | 26 km |
| 1989 | SHALLOW LAKE | 820 | 78 km |
| 1996 | RIDGE ROAD | 804 | 78 km |
| 2006 | PINE ISLAND | 757 | 80 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 42°F (5°C) | 4.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 46°F (8°C) | 4.4 in | |
| March | 54°F (12°C) | 5.3 in | Wettest |
| April | 62°F (17°C) | 4.5 in | |
| May | 70°F (21°C) | 5.0 in | |
| June | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 4.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 80°F (27°C) | 3.2 in | Driest |
| September | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 in | |
| October | 63°F (17°C) | 4.2 in | |
| November | 52°F (11°C) | 5.0 in | |
| December | 44°F (7°C) | 5.2 in |
Thornton has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 42°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 52.8 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.3") and August the driest (3.2").