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Weather & Climate in Van Buren, AR
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Van Buren enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. The area gets 310 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 47.3 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 2.9 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 599 feet.
Temperature
40°F Jan (5°C)
83°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 62.4°F |
| 16% above US avg | |
| January Average | 40°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 83°F (28°C) |
| Sunny Days | 310 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 599 ft (183 m) |
| Area | 15.5 sq mi (40.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,521/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.4512°N, 94.3540°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Crawford County County |
| Nearest Airport | Fort Smith Regional (FSM) 11 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 71.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 38.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 26.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
79 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.7.
| Aug 24, 2021 | 1 km S of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.7 | 100 km | 7 km |
| Aug 18, 2019 | 1 km ENE of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.7 | 98 km | 6 km |
| Nov 15, 1990 | 16 km NNW of Hector, Arkansas | M3.5 | 120 km | 29 km |
| May 24, 2013 | 16 km WSW of Center Ridge, Arkansas | M3.4 | 150 km | 6 km |
| May 22, 2013 | 16 km WSW of Center Ridge, Arkansas | M3.4 | 150 km | 5 km |
| Jun 27, 2000 | 15 km WSW of Marshall, Arkansas | M3.4 | 148 km | 0 km |
| Aug 22, 2021 | 3 km ESE of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.4 | 97 km | 7 km |
| Jul 22, 2021 | 2 km E of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.3 | 97 km | 8 km |
| Feb 7, 2020 | 2 km SSW of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.2 | 101 km | 6 km |
| Feb 7, 2020 | 3 km SSW of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.2 | 102 km | 6 km |
| Aug 12, 2019 | 1 km NE of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.2 | 98 km | 5 km |
| Jun 3, 2022 | 10 km W of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.2 | 109 km | 13 km |
| Mar 14, 2022 | 12 km E of Crowder, Oklahoma | M3.1 | 114 km | 8 km |
| Jan 7, 2018 | 7 km SW of Indianola, Oklahoma | M3.1 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Apr 1, 2020 | 2 km NE of Quinton, Oklahoma | M3.1 | 97 km | 9 km |
| Jul 28, 1990 | 18 km W of Mountain Pine, Arkansas | M2.9 | 130 km | 4 km |
| Sep 21, 2019 | 2 km NNE of Quinton, Oklahoma | M2.9 | 98 km | 7 km |
| Feb 3, 2021 | 1 km SW of Quinton, Oklahoma | M2.9 | 101 km | 7 km |
| Aug 14, 2024 | 13 km WSW of Quinton, Oklahoma | M2.9 | 112 km | 8 km |
| May 8, 2022 | 13 km WSW of Quinton, Oklahoma | M2.9 | 113 km | 7 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
541 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 57 fatalities, 945 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 26, 1976 | EF5 | 42 km | 11.9 mi | 2 |
| May 24, 2011 | EF4 | 41 km | 45.7 mi | 4 |
| May 26, 1973 | EF4 | 88 km | 3.6 mi | 5 |
| Apr 19, 1968 | EF4 | 29 km | 2.0 mi | 14 |
| May 5, 1960 | EF4 | 19 km | 5.4 mi | 5 |
| Jan 22, 1957 | EF4 | 30 km | 0.1 mi | 10 |
| May 25, 2024 | EF3 | 98 km | 7.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 30, 2022 | EF3 | 77 km | 5.2 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2011 | EF3 | 75 km | 29.0 mi | 1 |
| Dec 31, 2010 | EF3 | 64 km | 21.1 mi | 4 |
| Mar 12, 2006 | EF3 | 99 km | 29.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 2006 | EF3 | 91 km | 25.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 1999 | EF3 | 99 km | 2.0 mi | 2 |
| May 4, 1999 | EF3 | 22 km | 38.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1996 | EF3 | 64 km | 15.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 21, 1996 | EF3 | 12 km | 10.1 mi | 2 |
| Nov 22, 1983 | EF3 | 57 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 2, 1982 | EF3 | 12 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1981 | EF3 | 85 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 7, 1980 | EF3 | 77 km | 3.6 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (18,089 acres, 2007).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 18,089 | 77 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 15,318 | 35 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 14,993 | 95 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 14,774 | 53 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 13,929 | 33 km |
| 2016 | WEST CAVANAL FIRE | 13,100 | 58 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 12,086 | 78 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 11,929 | 33 km |
| 2024 | RX FOUCHE VALLEY | 10,912 | 89 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 10,593 | 70 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 9,483 | 79 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 9,385 | 66 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 9,368 | 95 km |
| 2021 | BILLY CREEK | 9,236 | 90 km |
| 2017 | MIDDLE RIDGE | 8,501 | 28 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 7,945 | 65 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 7,919 | 65 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 7,804 | 65 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 7,415 | 42 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 7,347 | 96 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40°F (5°C) | 2.5 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 43°F (6°C) | 2.8 in | |
| March | 52°F (11°C) | 4.5 in | |
| April | 61°F (16°C) | 4.4 in | |
| May | 69°F (21°C) | 5.9 in | Wettest |
| June | 77°F (25°C) | 4.2 in | |
| July | 83°F (28°C) | 3.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 81°F (27°C) | 3.1 in | |
| September | 73°F (23°C) | 4.6 in | |
| October | 62°F (17°C) | 4.4 in | |
| November | 50°F (10°C) | 4.6 in | |
| December | 41°F (5°C) | 3.5 in |
Van Buren has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 40°F in January to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.7 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.9") and January the driest (2.5").