Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Winchester 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 148 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
148 ft (45 m)
Area
0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²)
Population Density
276/sq mi
Coordinates
33.7741°N, 91.4737°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Desha County County
Nearest Airport
Pinebluff Regional/Grider Field (PBF) 38 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall54.6"
44% above US avg
Snowfall0.6"
Wettest Month (Mar)5.51"
Driest Month (Aug)2.80"
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
17 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
81 km
16 km
Jun 10, 1994
4 km E of Junction City, Arkansas
M3.2
140 km
5 km
Oct 26, 2002
3 km SE of Alligator, Mississippi
M3.1
79 km
3 km
Aug 11, 1996
9 km WSW of Shaw, Mississippi
M3.1
60 km
10 km
Mar 3, 2001
2 km SSE of El Dorado, Arkansas
M3.0
128 km
5 km
May 16, 2007
5 km SW of Calion, Arkansas
M3.0
116 km
5 km
Dec 17, 2001
3 km WSW of El Dorado, Arkansas
M2.8
130 km
10 km
Aug 11, 2002
8 km ESE of Darling, Mississippi
M2.8
135 km
4 km
Jan 9, 1997
6 km E of El Dorado, Arkansas
M2.8
122 km
5 km
Feb 24, 2020
12 km ENE of Junction City, Arkansas
M2.8
131 km
14 km
May 11, 2020
13 km SSE of El Dorado, Arkansas
M2.8
129 km
12 km
Feb 11, 1991
10 km SSW of Clarksdale, Mississippi
M2.7
89 km
12 km
Oct 18, 2009
9 km SE of Redfield, Arkansas
M2.6
90 km
29 km
Apr 11, 1996
9 km ENE of Biscoe, Arkansas
M2.6
121 km
7 km
Dec 24, 1997
7 km W of El Dorado, Arkansas
M2.6
135 km
5 km
Jan 12, 2017
9 km E of Leola, Arkansas
M2.6
104 km
10 km
Oct 20, 1999
8 km NE of Clarendon, Arkansas
M2.5
111 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
249 km
2005
Katrina
Category 1
92 mph
285 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
430 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 36 fatalities, 538 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Nov 24, 2001
EF4
48 km
30.3 mi
0
Mar 9, 1992
EF4
98 km
20.0 mi
0
Apr 17, 1978
EF4
55 km
3.6 mi
0
Mar 28, 1975
EF4
65 km
5.4 mi
7
Apr 3, 1968
EF4
38 km
33.7 mi
5
Dec 23, 2015
EF3
75 km
61.6 mi
2
May 10, 2008
EF3
80 km
14.1 mi
0
Feb 24, 2007
EF3
26 km
29.1 mi
0
Nov 24, 2001
EF3
99 km
5.0 mi
0
Feb 24, 2001
EF3
11 km
42.0 mi
0
Nov 19, 1988
EF3
88 km
4.0 mi
0
May 14, 1983
EF3
81 km
0.8 mi
0
May 14, 1983
EF3
70 km
5.0 mi
0
Apr 8, 1979
EF3
69 km
17.7 mi
0
Apr 24, 1976
EF3
92 km
24.6 mi
0
Mar 20, 1976
EF3
89 km
4.6 mi
0
Jun 20, 1972
EF3
73 km
0.3 mi
0
Feb 21, 1971
EF3
89 km
8.6 mi
3
Feb 9, 1965
EF3
51 km
10.5 mi
0
Feb 9, 1965
EF3
66 km
1.5 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: UNNAMED (4,134 acres, 2006).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2006
UNNAMED
4,134
73 km
2000
UNNAMED
2,042
78 km
2012
LACEY
1,439
52 km
2010
DREW
1,283
40 km
2006
SHALLOW LAKE ROAD WEST 2 H
1,146
98 km
2013
SINGLETON CREEK
1,124
72 km
2007
BOULDIN HOUSE N 3F
1,061
100 km
2006
UNNAMED
1,057
89 km
2011
SHALLOW LAKE WEST
900
97 km
2000
SHALLOW LAKE W
892
97 km
1986
UNNAMED
889
99 km
1987
UNNAMED
839
100 km
1989
SHALLOW LAKE
820
98 km
1996
RIDGE ROAD
804
97 km
2006
PINE ISLAND
757
90 km
2014
ARFSR-FY14-RX-JONES LAKE
752
96 km
1995
BOULDINHSE
748
99 km
2007
EAGLE LAKE
742
97 km
2006
UNNAMED
741
97 km
2021
JONES LAKE
727
96 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
42°F (6°C)
4.6 in
Coldest
February
46°F (8°C)
4.6 in
March
55°F (13°C)
5.5 in
Wettest
April
63°F (17°C)
4.8 in
May
72°F (22°C)
4.7 in
June
79°F (26°C)
4.0 in
July
81°F (27°C)
4.1 in
Warmest
August
80°F (27°C)
2.8 in
Driest
September
75°F (24°C)
3.0 in
October
64°F (18°C)
3.7 in
November
53°F (12°C)
5.1 in
December
45°F (7°C)
5.4 in
Winchester has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 42°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 52.4 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.5") and August the driest (2.8").