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Weather & Climate in West Memphis, AR
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
West Memphis enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 82°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 55.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.7 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 208 feet.
Temperature
40°F Jan (4°C)
82°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 61.9°F |
| 15% above US avg | |
| January Average | 40°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 82°F (28°C) |
| Sunny Days | 301 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 208 ft (63 m) |
| Area | 29.8 sq mi (77.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 809/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.1496°N, 90.1993°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Crittenden County County |
| Nearest Airport | Memphis International (MEM) 15 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 83.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 70.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 39.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
221 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.2.
| May 1, 2005 | 5 km SSE of Manila, Arkansas | M4.2 | 76 km | 10 km |
| Feb 10, 2005 | 3 km NNW of Etowah, Arkansas | M4.1 | 68 km | 15 km |
| Jun 2, 2005 | 12 km S of Ridgely, Tennessee | M4.0 | 129 km | 15 km |
| Apr 30, 2003 | 1 km N of Blytheville, Arkansas | M4.0 | 92 km | 24 km |
| Oct 29, 2012 | 8 km SW of Parkin, Arkansas | M3.9 | 40 km | 21 km |
| May 16, 2024 | 6 km S of Ridgely, Tennessee | M3.8 | 134 km | 8 km |
| Sep 17, 1997 | 2 km E of Trumann, Arkansas | M3.8 | 63 km | 0 km |
| Nov 29, 1996 | 1 km W of Blytheville, Arkansas | M3.8 | 90 km | 19 km |
| Feb 23, 2013 | 7 km SW of Trumann, Arkansas | M3.7 | 62 km | 14 km |
| Apr 24, 2019 | 12 km NNW of Dyersburg, Tennessee | M3.7 | 129 km | 14 km |
| Jan 16, 2018 | 4 km SW of Caruthersville, Missouri | M3.6 | 122 km | 9 km |
| Oct 15, 2017 | 6 km SE of Manila, Arkansas | M3.6 | 77 km | 17 km |
| Apr 2, 2015 | 1 km WNW of Cooter, Missouri | M3.6 | 106 km | 10 km |
| Aug 20, 1994 | 4 km NE of Black Rock, Arkansas | M3.5 | 135 km | 10 km |
| Jan 8, 1993 | 6 km WSW of Gosnell, Arkansas | M3.5 | 88 km | 22 km |
| Aug 25, 2015 | 9 km W of Henning, Tennessee | M3.5 | 74 km | 13 km |
| Apr 28, 1993 | 8 km SSE of Ridgely, Tennessee | M3.4 | 135 km | 7 km |
| Aug 29, 1990 | 9 km WSW of Central, Tennessee | M3.4 | 87 km | 15 km |
| Nov 6, 2009 | 6 km NNW of Dyersburg, Tennessee | M3.4 | 127 km | 9 km |
| Jan 20, 2010 | 4 km WNW of Lynn, Arkansas | M3.3 | 139 km | 0 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
469 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 133 fatalities, 1,364 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Dec 10, 2021 | EF4 | 78 km | 81.2 mi | 8 |
| Dec 23, 2015 | EF4 | 76 km | 75.1 mi | 9 |
| Apr 16, 1998 | EF4 | 80 km | 5.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF4 | 69 km | 20.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 79 km | 0.1 mi | 4 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 97 km | 13.1 mi | 29 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 57 km | 29.6 mi | 16 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF3 | 69 km | 72.6 mi | 4 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF3 | 48 km | 39.2 mi | 1 |
| Mar 28, 2020 | EF3 | 86 km | 12.5 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 2010 | EF3 | 100 km | 29.6 mi | 3 |
| May 2, 2008 | EF3 | 31 km | 20.2 mi | 0 |
| Feb 5, 2008 | EF3 | 79 km | 31.1 mi | 3 |
| Apr 2, 2006 | EF3 | 78 km | 38.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 17, 1999 | EF3 | 97 km | 22.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF3 | 77 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF3 | 79 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 27, 1994 | EF3 | 96 km | 16.0 mi | 1 |
| Nov 27, 1994 | EF3 | 35 km | 16.0 mi | 3 |
| Jan 19, 1988 | EF3 | 69 km | 22.0 mi | 3 |
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 | — | — | 53 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (3,152 acres, 2017).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 3,152 | 92 km |
| 2014 | C-39 EAST CHEWALLA | 3,107 | 92 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,848 | 94 km |
| 2010 | COMP 42 | 2,142 | 95 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 1,785 | 95 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 1,363 | 82 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 1,334 | 72 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 1,298 | 82 km |
| 2021 | HOLLY SPRINGS - BB41 | 1,254 | 94 km |
| 2022 | HOLLY SPRINGS BB 35/37/38 | 1,243 | 91 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 1,192 | 90 km |
| 2024 | HOLLY SPRINGS CPT 21-1 RX | 1,126 | 94 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 1,010 | 82 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 986 | 95 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 936 | 82 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 930 | 98 km |
| 2014 | C-31 BOONE ROAD | 911 | 88 km |
| 2021 | HOLLY SPRINGS - BB CCC ROAD | 894 | 93 km |
| 2022 | HOLLY SPRINGS BB 37/38 | 888 | 92 km |
| 2022 | HOLLY SPRINGS BB 39 | 870 | 93 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40°F (4°C) | 3.8 in | Coldest |
| February | 43°F (6°C) | 4.2 in | |
| March | 52°F (11°C) | 5.3 in | |
| April | 61°F (16°C) | 5.5 in | Wettest |
| May | 70°F (21°C) | 5.4 in | |
| June | 78°F (26°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 82°F (28°C) | 3.6 in | Warmest |
| August | 80°F (26°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| September | 73°F (23°C) | 3.4 in | |
| October | 62°F (17°C) | 3.2 in | |
| November | 51°F (11°C) | 5.1 in | |
| December | 42°F (6°C) | 5.4 in |
West Memphis has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 40°F in January to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 51.8 inches, with April being the wettest month (5.5") and August the driest (3.0").