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Weather & Climate in University, MS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
University enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. The area gets 302 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 60.5 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 503 feet.
Temperature
41°F Jan (5°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 61.9°F |
| 15% above US avg | |
| January Average | 41°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 302 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 503 ft (153 m) |
| Area | 0.3 sq mi (0.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 6,999/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.3655°N, 89.5379°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Lafayette County County |
| Nearest Airport | Tupelo Regional (TUP) 44 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 64.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 32.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 92.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
18 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.9.
| Oct 29, 2012 | 8 km SW of Parkin, Arkansas | M3.9 | 137 km | 21 km |
| Aug 25, 2015 | 9 km W of Henning, Tennessee | M3.5 | 145 km | 13 km |
| Aug 19, 1994 | 9 km WSW of Gilt Edge, Tennessee | M3.2 | 132 km | 11 km |
| May 10, 2008 | 1 km SSE of Sherman, Mississippi | M3.1 | 65 km | 0 km |
| Oct 26, 2002 | 3 km SE of Alligator, Mississippi | M3.1 | 112 km | 3 km |
| Aug 7, 2015 | 16 km W of Millington, Tennessee | M3.0 | 122 km | 4 km |
| Aug 11, 2002 | 8 km ESE of Darling, Mississippi | M2.8 | 59 km | 4 km |
| Feb 25, 1999 | 10 km NE of Oakland, Mississippi | M2.8 | 39 km | 5 km |
| Jan 16, 2009 | 8 km NE of Garland, Tennessee | M2.8 | 143 km | 9 km |
| Jan 3, 1993 | 4 km SW of Sunset, Arkansas | M2.7 | 113 km | 17 km |
| Sep 8, 2002 | 6 km W of Henning, Tennessee | M2.7 | 145 km | 7 km |
| Feb 11, 1991 | 10 km SSW of Clarksdale, Mississippi | M2.7 | 102 km | 12 km |
| Oct 2, 1995 | 9 km ENE of Clarkedale, Arkansas | M2.6 | 121 km | 8 km |
| Jun 25, 2016 | 2 km SSE of Jericho, Arkansas | M2.5 | 117 km | 8 km |
| Sep 2, 2013 | 0 km SW of Jericho, Arkansas | M2.5 | 120 km | 12 km |
| Nov 9, 2009 | 3 km SE of Marion, Arkansas | M2.5 | 108 km | 7 km |
| Jan 25, 1990 | 1 km ESE of Garland, Tennessee | M2.5 | 137 km | 13 km |
| Apr 6, 2007 | 6 km NW of Earle, Arkansas | M2.5 | 138 km | 13 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 1.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2005 | Katrina | Category 1 | — | 275 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
426 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 105 fatalities, 1,014 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Dec 23, 2015 | EF4 | 30 km | 75.1 mi | 9 |
| Apr 19, 1970 | EF4 | 63 km | 47.6 mi | 4 |
| Apr 29, 1963 | EF4 | 80 km | 4.7 mi | 3 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 58 km | 29.6 mi | 16 |
| Mar 24, 2023 | EF3 | 92 km | 36.6 mi | 2 |
| Apr 28, 2014 | EF3 | 67 km | 31.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 18 km | 13.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 76 km | 51.5 mi | 4 |
| May 2, 2010 | EF3 | 58 km | 29.6 mi | 3 |
| May 8, 2008 | EF3 | 70 km | 7.6 mi | 0 |
| Feb 5, 2008 | EF3 | 5 km | 7.2 mi | 0 |
| Feb 24, 2001 | EF3 | 41 km | 52.0 mi | 6 |
| Jan 3, 2000 | EF3 | 22 km | 43.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF3 | 30 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF3 | 47 km | 30.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF3 | 27 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF3 | 34 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 27, 1994 | EF3 | 83 km | 16.0 mi | 3 |
| Mar 22, 1991 | EF3 | 52 km | 23.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 21, 1990 | EF3 | 78 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: COMP 109 (3,663 acres, 2010).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2010 | COMP 109 | 3,663 | 15 km |
| 2014 | C-55 CHILLI LAKE | 3,555 | 50 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 3,152 | 46 km |
| 2014 | C-39 EAST CHEWALLA | 3,107 | 46 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 3,031 | 51 km |
| 2022 | HOLLY SPRINGS BB 119/90/88 | 2,955 | 18 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,848 | 43 km |
| 2006 | WITCHDCE W | 2,846 | 73 km |
| 2014 | C-84 BAGLEY BOTTOMS | 2,766 | 17 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,645 | 16 km |
| 2013 | MIDWAY CEM PRESCRIBED BURN | 2,513 | 20 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,376 | 52 km |
| 2007 | WITCHDANCE EAST | 2,285 | 74 km |
| 2013 | PUSKUS LAKE | 2,271 | 19 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,248 | 35 km |
| 2021 | TOMBIGBEE CPT - 18/19/23/24 | 2,201 | 73 km |
| 2022 | HOLLY SPRINGS BB 51/52/53 | 2,182 | 52 km |
| 2010 | COMP 42 | 2,142 | 43 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,073 | 18 km |
| 2022 | HOLLY SPRINGS BB10 11 12 14 | 1,977 | 72 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 41°F (5°C) | 4.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 44°F (7°C) | 4.5 in | |
| March | 52°F (11°C) | 6.0 in | Wettest |
| April | 61°F (16°C) | 5.5 in | |
| May | 69°F (20°C) | 5.6 in | |
| June | 76°F (25°C) | 4.6 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 4.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 3.3 in | Driest |
| September | 73°F (23°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 62°F (16°C) | 3.8 in | |
| November | 52°F (11°C) | 5.4 in | |
| December | 43°F (6°C) | 5.8 in |
University has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 41°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 57.1 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.0") and August the driest (3.3").