Weather & Climate in Walnut Ridge, AR

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Walnut Ridge enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 80°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 51.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 6.3 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 260 feet.

Temperature

36°F Jan (2°C) 80°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	58.5°F
	8% above US avg
January Average	36°F (2°C)
July Average	80°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	299 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	260 ft (79 m)
Area	16.7 sq mi (43.2 km²)
Population Density	326/sq mi
Coordinates	36.0848°N, 90.9468°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Greene County County
Nearest Airport	Walnut Ridge Regional (ARG) 3 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 51.5"

35% above US avg

Snowfall 6.3"

Wettest Month (Nov) 5.04"

Driest Month (Jul) 3.11"

Air Quality

AQI Median	43.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	80.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	67.2 / 100
Community Resilience	30.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Hurricane	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Moderate
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm	Very High
Drought	Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Relatively Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

394 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.5.

May 4, 1991	2 km NNW of Risco, Missouri	M4.5	114 km	11 km
May 1, 2005	5 km SSE of Manila, Arkansas	M4.2	77 km	10 km
Feb 10, 2005	3 km NNW of Etowah, Arkansas	M4.1	73 km	15 km
Jun 2, 2005	12 km S of Ridgely, Tennessee	M4.0	133 km	15 km
Apr 30, 2003	1 km N of Blytheville, Arkansas	M4.0	94 km	24 km
Oct 21, 1999	9 km NW of Maynard, Arkansas	M3.9	45 km	10 km
Aug 22, 2000	19 km WNW of Maynard, Arkansas	M3.9	46 km	10 km
Oct 29, 2012	8 km SW of Parkin, Arkansas	M3.9	102 km	21 km
Jul 7, 1991	11 km ENE of Brandsville, Missouri	M3.9	87 km	8 km
Sep 17, 1997	2 km E of Trumann, Arkansas	M3.8	62 km	0 km
May 16, 2024	6 km S of Ridgely, Tennessee	M3.8	133 km	8 km
Nov 29, 1996	1 km W of Blytheville, Arkansas	M3.8	92 km	19 km
Jun 4, 2014	3 km ESE of Fairfield Bay, Arkansas	M3.8	130 km	0 km
Feb 23, 2013	7 km SW of Trumann, Arkansas	M3.7	62 km	14 km
Aug 16, 2003	5 km W of Thomasville, Missouri	M3.7	98 km	0 km
Sep 12, 2019	13 km N of Big Flat, Arkansas	M3.7	131 km	18 km
Apr 24, 2019	12 km NNW of Dyersburg, Tennessee	M3.7	136 km	14 km
Oct 15, 2017	6 km SE of Manila, Arkansas	M3.6	80 km	17 km
Jan 16, 2018	4 km SW of Caruthersville, Missouri	M3.6	114 km	9 km
Sep 22, 2011	6 km E of Grandin, Missouri	M3.6	83 km	11 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

518 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 100 fatalities, 1,586 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Dec 10, 2021	EF4	49 km	81.2 mi	8
Jan 21, 1999	EF4	42 km	16.0 mi	0
Apr 16, 1998	EF4	73 km	5.0 mi	2
Mar 1, 1997	EF4	77 km	20.0 mi	0
Mar 15, 1984	EF4	73 km	26.0 mi	5
Dec 24, 1982	EF4	61 km	63.0 mi	0
Apr 22, 1981	EF4	74 km	63.0 mi	1
May 26, 1973	EF4	98 km	54.8 mi	3
May 15, 1968	EF4	68 km	0.3 mi	7
May 15, 1968	EF4	45 km	20.9 mi	35
May 21, 1957	EF4	98 km	9.1 mi	7
Mar 21, 1952	EF4	74 km	0.1 mi	4
Mar 28, 2020	EF3	39 km	12.5 mi	0
May 25, 2011	EF3	82 km	47.4 mi	0
Apr 30, 2010	EF3	77 km	7.7 mi	0
Apr 2, 2006	EF3	15 km	77.0 mi	2
Apr 2, 2006	EF3	97 km	38.0 mi	0
Jan 21, 1999	EF3	65 km	31.0 mi	0
Mar 1, 1997	EF3	18 km	5.0 mi	0
Mar 1, 1997	EF3	73 km	1.0 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Tsunami History

1 tsunami recorded within 500 km.

Year	Location	Cause	Max Wave	Deaths	Distance
1811	AR: NE - NEW MADRID EARTHQUAKES	Eruption + Earthquake	—	—	73 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: HANDY (12,818 acres, 2012).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2012	HANDY	12,818	88 km
2011	UNNAMED	9,641	80 km
2022	CEDAR BLUFF	9,617	86 km
2020	BIG BARREN CREEK	8,150	92 km
2010	WYLIE KING 1	6,077	97 km
2024	BRIDGES RX	4,781	78 km
2021	MILLER KING	4,130	98 km
2013	UNNAMED	3,313	99 km
2021	VICTORY 1-7	3,237	95 km
2024	WOLF MOUNTAIN RX	3,140	64 km
1988	HANES 1	3,139	92 km
2011	MUD POND	3,030	99 km
2005	WOLF MTN	2,801	62 km
2024	BEAR PEN RX	2,302	89 km
2022	HODO 4	1,859	78 km
2006	UNNAMED	1,783	49 km
2010	CHILTON SOUTH RX	1,649	93 km
1988	HIGH HILL 2	1,534	93 km
2002	UNNAMED	1,511	94 km
2024	ESSMAN SPRING RX	1,495	99 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	36°F (2°C)	3.3 in	Coldest
February	41°F (5°C)	3.6 in
March	50°F (10°C)	5.0 in
April	60°F (15°C)	4.7 in
May	69°F (20°C)	5.0 in
June	77°F (25°C)	3.2 in
July	80°F (26°C)	3.1 in	Warmest, Driest
August	79°F (26°C)	3.2 in
September	72°F (22°C)	3.8 in
October	61°F (16°C)	3.5 in
November	49°F (9°C)	5.0 in	Wettest
December	40°F (4°C)	4.5 in

Walnut Ridge has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 36°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.9 inches, with November being the wettest month (5.0") and July the driest (3.1").

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