What should you know about Fayetteville's weather?
- NWS office
- Tulsa (TSA)
- Climate
- Humid subtropical
- Time zone
- CST/CDT
- Elevation
- 1,407 ft
- Coordinates
- 36.06° N, 94.16° W
- Nearest radar
- KSRX · Western Arkansas NEXRAD · 55 mi
- County
- Washington County, AR
- Yearly rain
- 47 in
- Warmest month
- July · 77.9°F average
- Coldest month
- January · 36.4°F average
- Severe storm peak
- Mar to May
How much rain does Fayetteville get each month?
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 47.7 | 52.2 | 60.7 | 69.7 | 76.7 | 84.6 | 89.2 | 89.0 | 81.5 | 70.9 | 59.4 | 49.8 |
| Low °F | 25.1 | 28.5 | 36.1 | 44.5 | 54.0 | 62.6 | 66.5 | 64.9 | 56.5 | 45.2 | 35.3 | 27.8 |
| Rain (in) | 2.75 | 2.56 | 3.98 | 5.01 | 5.89 | 4.31 | 3.80 | 3.17 | 4.26 | 4.48 | 3.68 | 3.07 |
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Rain (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 47.7 | 25.1 | 2.75 |
| Feb | 52.2 | 28.5 | 2.56 |
| Mar | 60.7 | 36.1 | 3.98 |
| Apr | 69.7 | 44.5 | 5.01 |
| May | 76.7 | 54.0 | 5.89 |
| Jun | 84.6 | 62.6 | 4.31 |
| Jul | 89.2 | 66.5 | 3.80 |
| Aug | 89.0 | 64.9 | 3.17 |
| Sep | 81.5 | 56.5 | 4.26 |
| Oct | 70.9 | 45.2 | 4.48 |
| Nov | 59.4 | 35.3 | 3.68 |
| Dec | 49.8 | 27.8 | 3.07 |
FAYETTEVILLE DRAKE FLD, AR US · 4 mi away · NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020
Which creek gauges help interpret Fayetteville weather radar?
Town Branch and Mud Creek gauges show how local waterways are responding to the rain. The city lists a gauge on Town Branch at Morningside Dr near the West Fork White River and another on Mud Creek at N Gregg Ave near Clear Creek. Compare those readings with where the heaviest echoes keep returning. A fading rain band does not establish that a flooded crossing has reopened.
Can Fayetteville winter storms bring both sleet and snow?
Yes, the December 2013 winter storm brought Fayetteville 7.0 inches of sleet and snow combined. The regional storm review describes freezing rain changing to sleet and then snow as cold air deepened. A broad precipitation shield on the loop can therefore contain changing conditions at the ground. Check the hourly temperature trend before treating a lighter patch on radar as an improvement for driving.
Why pay attention to repeated spring downpours?
May is the wettest normal month at Fayetteville Drake Field, with 5.89 inches of precipitation. April also averages 5.01 inches, so a wet spring day is hardly unusual here. What deserves closer attention is a line that keeps sending new cells over the same neighborhoods. Use the animation to distinguish a passing shower from repeated rounds of rain.
What can the distant radar miss over Fayetteville?
KSRX is about 55 miles away, and a radar beam samples progressively higher air as distance from the station increases. That limits what the distant view can tell you about conditions close to the ground. Light echoes should not outweigh a local report of freezing precipitation or an official tornado warning. Keep NWS Tulsa forecasts beside the loop when surface conditions matter most.
When should you check the Fayetteville radar?
Spring downpours
March to MayAbout 51% of Washington County's 1996 to 2025 severe reports fall from March to May. Before using the Lake Fayetteville trails, check whether new storm cells are forming along your return route.
Warm-weather lightning exposure
May to AugustMost lightning deaths in Arkansas fall in this warm-weather window. Before riding the Cato Springs Trail, check for developing cells and head indoors if thunder begins.
What else do people ask about the Fayetteville radar?
Which NWS office and radar cover Fayetteville?
NWS Tulsa (TSA) issues forecasts and warnings for Fayetteville. The nearest NEXRAD radar is KSRX, about 55 miles from the city center.
How often does the radar on this page update?
The radar loop on this page updates every 5 minutes.
Is this page an official warning service?
No. It shows radar and forecasts only. For warnings, follow NWS Tulsa and local emergency alerts.
Quick facts
- Radar: KSRX (Western Arkansas NEXRAD), a new frame every 5 minutes
- Forecasts and warnings: NWS Tulsa (TSA)
- Severe storms peak from March to May (NOAA Storm Events, 1996 to 2025)
- Local time: CST/CDT
- Radar: KSRX, a new frame every 5 minutes
- Warnings: NWS Tulsa (TSA)
- Severe storms: March to May
- Local time: CST/CDT
Where does this data come from?
- NOAA NEXRAD radar via Iowa Environmental Mesonet
- National Weather Service, Tulsa office
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020: FAYETTEVILLE DRAKE FLD, AR US
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1996 to 2025
- USGS Elevation Point Query Service
- GOES-East satellite imagery
- Open-Meteo forecast API
- OpenStreetMap contributors
- City of Fayetteville: Floodplain management and creek gauges
- NWS Tulsa: December winter storm review
- City of Fayetteville: Paved shared-use trails
- National Weather Service: Radar and severe weather observations
- National Weather Service: Arkansas severe weather guide