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Weather & Climate in Ward, AR
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Ward 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 301 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 51.8 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.8 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 263 feet.
Temperature
40°F Jan (4°C)
83°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 61.8°F |
| 14% above US avg | |
| January Average | 40°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 83°F (28°C) |
| Sunny Days | 301 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 263 ft (80 m) |
| Area | 4.1 sq mi (10.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,406/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.0138°N, 91.9577°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | White County County |
| Nearest Airport | Searcy Regional (SRC) 19 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 85.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 55.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 37.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
250 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.7.
| Feb 28, 2011 | 4 km NE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M4.7 | 46 km | 3 km |
| May 4, 2001 | 8 km NNW of Holland, Arkansas | M4.3 | 40 km | 8 km |
| Feb 18, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M4.1 | 48 km | 6 km |
| Feb 18, 2011 | 3 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.9 | 46 km | 5 km |
| Apr 8, 2011 | 3 km NE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.9 | 46 km | 6 km |
| Oct 29, 2012 | 8 km SW of Parkin, Arkansas | M3.9 | 122 km | 21 km |
| Jun 4, 2014 | 3 km ESE of Fairfield Bay, Arkansas | M3.8 | 68 km | 0 km |
| Feb 17, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.8 | 46 km | 6 km |
| Sep 12, 2019 | 13 km N of Big Flat, Arkansas | M3.7 | 130 km | 18 km |
| Feb 23, 2013 | 7 km SW of Trumann, Arkansas | M3.7 | 144 km | 14 km |
| Apr 7, 2011 | 2 km NE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.7 | 46 km | 6 km |
| Feb 28, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.6 | 47 km | 4 km |
| Feb 20, 2011 | 3 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.6 | 47 km | 5 km |
| Aug 20, 1994 | 4 km NE of Black Rock, Arkansas | M3.5 | 149 km | 10 km |
| Nov 15, 1990 | 16 km NNW of Hector, Arkansas | M3.5 | 118 km | 29 km |
| Feb 25, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.5 | 48 km | 6 km |
| Feb 16, 2011 | 4 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.5 | 46 km | 7 km |
| Apr 8, 2011 | 2 km NNE of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.5 | 47 km | 6 km |
| Mar 3, 2011 | 0 km N of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.5 | 47 km | 7 km |
| Mar 9, 2011 | 1 km NW of Greenbrier, Arkansas | M3.5 | 47 km | 6 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
639 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 226 fatalities, 2,683 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 2014 | EF4 | 69 km | 41.1 mi | 16 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF4 | 75 km | 14.0 mi | 10 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF4 | 57 km | 11.0 mi | 5 |
| Apr 14, 1996 | EF4 | 96 km | 44.0 mi | 7 |
| Mar 15, 1984 | EF4 | 77 km | 41.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 15, 1984 | EF4 | 83 km | 26.0 mi | 5 |
| May 26, 1973 | EF4 | 61 km | 54.8 mi | 3 |
| May 15, 1968 | EF4 | 83 km | 0.3 mi | 7 |
| Apr 10, 1965 | EF4 | 45 km | 4.7 mi | 6 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 33 km | 14.6 mi | 50 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 16 km | 7.6 mi | 2 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 98 km | 0.1 mi | 4 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 65 km | 13.1 mi | 29 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF3 | 93 km | 72.6 mi | 4 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF3 | 58 km | 34.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 30, 2010 | EF3 | 79 km | 7.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 30, 2010 | EF3 | 86 km | 20.3 mi | 1 |
| May 10, 2008 | EF3 | 67 km | 14.1 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 2008 | EF3 | 67 km | 45.3 mi | 5 |
| Apr 2, 2006 | EF3 | 86 km | 38.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (5,604 acres, 2006).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 5,604 | 98 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 4,553 | 84 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 4,000 | 96 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 3,938 | 33 km |
| 2019 | RXBURN | 3,922 | 99 km |
| 2024 | RX LOWER LAKE WINONA UNIT 07 | 3,373 | 85 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 3,235 | 99 km |
| 2022 | HATLEY MTN | 3,227 | 95 km |
| 2022 | HOUSTON | 3,176 | 86 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 3,052 | 96 km |
| 2021 | JWF ROCK CREEK UNIT 2 AND 3 | 2,966 | 91 km |
| 2010 | CAMP | 2,772 | 33 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 2,571 | 92 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 2,455 | 92 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 2,178 | 92 km |
| 2016 | RXBURN | 2,148 | 93 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 2,066 | 99 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 2,063 | 96 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,962 | 85 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 1,952 | 91 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40°F (4°C) | 3.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 44°F (7°C) | 3.7 in | |
| March | 52°F (11°C) | 5.3 in | |
| April | 61°F (16°C) | 5.0 in | |
| May | 69°F (21°C) | 5.3 in | Wettest |
| June | 77°F (25°C) | 3.8 in | |
| July | 83°F (28°C) | 3.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 80°F (27°C) | 3.4 in | Driest |
| September | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 in | |
| October | 62°F (17°C) | 3.8 in | |
| November | 51°F (10°C) | 5.2 in | |
| December | 42°F (6°C) | 4.9 in |
Ward has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 40°F in January to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 51.2 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.3") and August the driest (3.4").