All Countries
Weather & Climate in West, MS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
West enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 81°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 62.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.3 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 304 feet.
Temperature
44°F Jan (7°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 62.8°F |
| 16% above US avg | |
| January Average | 44°F (7°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 299 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 304 ft (93 m) |
| Area | 0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 343/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 33.1978°N, 89.7821°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Attala County County |
| Nearest Airport | Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International (JAN) 64 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 34.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 80.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 33.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
13 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 | 107 km | 16 km |
| May 3, 2015 | 7 km SSW of Canton, Mississippi | M3.2 | 76 km | 5 km |
| Jun 29, 2015 | 6 km SSW of Canton, Mississippi | M3.2 | 76 km | 5 km |
| Aug 11, 1996 | 9 km WSW of Shaw, Mississippi | M3.1 | 110 km | 10 km |
| Oct 26, 2002 | 3 km SE of Alligator, Mississippi | M3.1 | 129 km | 3 km |
| May 3, 2015 | 8 km WSW of Canton, Mississippi | M3.0 | 75 km | 5 km |
| Mar 15, 2025 | 5 km NNE of Magee, Mississippi | M3.0 | 143 km | 10 km |
| Aug 11, 2002 | 8 km ESE of Darling, Mississippi | M2.8 | 132 km | 4 km |
| Aug 9, 2019 | Mississippi | M2.8 | 78 km | 5 km |
| Feb 25, 1999 | 10 km NE of Oakland, Mississippi | M2.8 | 104 km | 5 km |
| Feb 11, 1991 | 10 km SSW of Clarksdale, Mississippi | M2.7 | 126 km | 12 km |
| Aug 17, 2015 | 9 km N of Madison, Mississippi | M2.6 | 79 km | 5 km |
| Jun 26, 1994 | 11 km NE of Panola, Alabama | M2.5 | 150 km | 9 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
4 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2020 | Zeta | Category 1 | — | 216 km |
| 2005 | Katrina | Category 1 | 92 mph | 149 km |
| 2004 | Ivan | Category 2 | 81 mph | 280 km |
| 1985 | Elena | Category 2 | — | 278 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
629 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 79 fatalities, 802 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF5 | 77 km | 28.3 mi | 3 |
| Apr 28, 2014 | EF4 | 48 km | 33.4 mi | 10 |
| Nov 24, 2001 | EF4 | 94 km | 11.5 mi | 2 |
| Jan 19, 1988 | EF4 | 20 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 23, 1977 | EF4 | 55 km | 15.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 29, 1976 | EF4 | 80 km | 22.3 mi | 3 |
| Dec 2, 1967 | EF4 | 86 km | 7.6 mi | 2 |
| Mar 11, 1963 | EF4 | 13 km | 45.2 mi | 2 |
| Mar 24, 2023 | EF3 | 27 km | 29.4 mi | 3 |
| Apr 28, 2014 | EF3 | 97 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| Oct 17, 2012 | EF3 | 90 km | 14.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 72 km | 51.5 mi | 4 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 30 km | 23.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 47 km | 70.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 2011 | EF3 | 93 km | 48.5 mi | 0 |
| Jan 1, 2011 | EF3 | 18 km | 23.5 mi | 0 |
| Nov 29, 2010 | EF3 | 33 km | 9.6 mi | 0 |
| Jan 10, 2008 | EF3 | 26 km | 23.6 mi | 0 |
| Jan 10, 2008 | EF3 | 39 km | 9.7 mi | 0 |
| Nov 24, 2004 | EF3 | 79 km | 21.0 mi | 1 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BIENVILLE - CPT 38-39-40 (4,545 acres, 2021).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2021 | BIENVILLE - CPT 38-39-40 | 4,545 | 91 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 4,007 | 88 km |
| 2010 | COMP 222-223-224 | 3,745 | 94 km |
| 2016 | MSNXR FY16 RX 1703B | 3,633 | 88 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 3,616 | 80 km |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 3,605 | 87 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 3,593 | 78 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 3,547 | 73 km |
| 1987 | 10 NOVEMBER | 3,301 | 88 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 3,053 | 79 km |
| 2010 | BIEN 1-4 | 2,983 | 73 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,935 | 93 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 2,887 | 65 km |
| 2020 | TOMBIGBEE COMP 54/55/56 | 2,846 | 80 km |
| 2021 | BIENVILLE CPT 1-4 | 2,761 | 74 km |
| 2022 | TOMBIGBEE BB 54 55 56 | 2,736 | 80 km |
| 1995 | 16 | 2,482 | 87 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 2,436 | 79 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 2,393 | 88 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,388 | 89 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 44°F (7°C) | 5.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 46°F (8°C) | 5.0 in | |
| March | 54°F (12°C) | 6.2 in | Wettest |
| April | 62°F (16°C) | 5.7 in | |
| May | 70°F (21°C) | 5.1 in | |
| June | 77°F (25°C) | 3.8 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 4.6 in | Warmest |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 3.4 in | Driest |
| September | 74°F (23°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 63°F (17°C) | 3.7 in | |
| November | 53°F (12°C) | 5.1 in | |
| December | 46°F (8°C) | 5.9 in |
West has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 44°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 57.4 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.2") and August the driest (3.4").