Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Watson enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°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 54.6 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 150 feet.
Temperature
42°F Jan (6°C)81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average
62.9°F
16% above US avg
January Average
42°F (6°C)
July Average
81°F (27°C)
Sunny Days
304 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
150 ft (46 m)
Area
0.2 sq mi (0.5 km²)
Population Density
950/sq mi
Coordinates
33.8938°N, 91.2571°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Desha County County
Nearest Airport
Pinebluff Regional/Grider Field (PBF) 43 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall54.6"
44% above US avg
Snowfall0.6"
Wettest Month (Mar)5.43"
Driest Month (Aug)2.68"
Air Quality
AQI Median
43.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Very Low
Risk Score
32.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability
98.0 / 100
Community Resilience
53.2 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
Hurricane
Relatively Low
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Very Low
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Low
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Very Low
Lightning
Very Low
Ice Storm
Relatively Low
Drought
Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
Landslide
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
12 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M3.7.
Jan 8, 2019
8 km WNW of Hollandale, Mississippi
M3.7
83 km
16 km
Aug 11, 1996
9 km WSW of Shaw, Mississippi
M3.1
50 km
10 km
Oct 26, 2002
3 km SE of Alligator, Mississippi
M3.1
55 km
3 km
May 16, 2007
5 km SW of Calion, Arkansas
M3.0
140 km
5 km
Jan 9, 1997
6 km E of El Dorado, Arkansas
M2.8
146 km
5 km
Aug 11, 2002
8 km ESE of Darling, Mississippi
M2.8
111 km
4 km
Feb 25, 1999
10 km NE of Oakland, Mississippi
M2.8
132 km
5 km
Feb 11, 1991
10 km SSW of Clarksdale, Mississippi
M2.7
65 km
12 km
Oct 18, 2009
9 km SE of Redfield, Arkansas
M2.6
96 km
29 km
Apr 11, 1996
9 km ENE of Biscoe, Arkansas
M2.6
107 km
7 km
Jan 12, 2017
9 km E of Leola, Arkansas
M2.6
118 km
10 km
Oct 20, 1999
8 km NE of Clarendon, Arkansas
M2.5
96 km
9 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
2 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980.
Strongest on record: Category 1.
Year
Name
Category
Max Wind
Closest
2020
Laura
Category 2
98 mph
272 km
2005
Katrina
Category 1
—
281 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
437 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 47 fatalities, 622 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Nov 24, 2001
EF4
49 km
30.3 mi
0
Apr 17, 1978
EF4
53 km
3.6 mi
0
Mar 28, 1975
EF4
89 km
5.4 mi
7
Apr 3, 1968
EF4
55 km
33.7 mi
5
Dec 23, 2015
EF3
52 km
61.6 mi
2
May 10, 2008
EF3
73 km
14.1 mi
0
Feb 24, 2007
EF3
49 km
29.1 mi
0
Nov 24, 2001
EF3
94 km
5.0 mi
0
Feb 24, 2001
EF3
29 km
42.0 mi
0
Jan 21, 1999
EF3
87 km
16.0 mi
0
Nov 19, 1988
EF3
67 km
4.0 mi
0
May 14, 1983
EF3
80 km
5.0 mi
0
May 14, 1983
EF3
72 km
0.8 mi
0
Apr 8, 1979
EF3
92 km
17.7 mi
0
Apr 24, 1976
EF3
68 km
24.6 mi
0
Jun 20, 1972
EF3
97 km
0.3 mi
0
Apr 21, 1972
EF3
100 km
12.8 mi
0
Feb 21, 1971
EF3
68 km
8.6 mi
3
Feb 9, 1965
EF3
89 km
1.5 mi
0
Feb 9, 1965
EF3
45 km
10.5 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
6 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: UNNAMED (4,134 acres, 2006).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2006
UNNAMED
4,134
94 km
2012
LACEY
1,439
76 km
2006
UNNAMED
1,334
98 km
2010
DREW
1,283
62 km
2013
SINGLETON CREEK
1,124
96 km
2013
FOUNTAIN HILL
655
86 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
42°F (6°C)
4.5 in
Coldest
February
46°F (8°C)
4.4 in
March
54°F (12°C)
5.4 in
Wettest
April
63°F (17°C)
5.1 in
May
71°F (22°C)
4.8 in
June
79°F (26°C)
4.0 in
July
81°F (27°C)
3.9 in
Warmest
August
80°F (27°C)
2.7 in
Driest
September
75°F (24°C)
3.0 in
October
64°F (18°C)
3.5 in
November
53°F (12°C)
5.1 in
December
45°F (7°C)
5.4 in
Watson has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 42°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 51.9 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.4") and August the driest (2.7").