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Weather & Climate in Watson, AR

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 Average62.9°F
16% above US avg
January Average42°F (6°C)
July Average81°F (27°C)
Sunny Days304 days/yr

Geography

Elevation150 ft (46 m)
Area0.2 sq mi (0.5 km²)
Population Density950/sq mi
Coordinates33.8938°N, 91.2571°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyDesha County County
Nearest AirportPinebluff Regional/Grider Field (PBF)
43 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 54.6"
44% above US avg
Snowfall 0.6"
Wettest Month (Mar) 5.43"
Driest Month (Aug) 2.68"

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score32.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability98.0 / 100
Community Resilience53.2 / 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").

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