Jonesboro is one of those places where you can experience three different seasons in a single Tuesday. If you’ve spent any time in Northeast Arkansas, you know the drill. You wake up to a crisp, freezing fog, and by lunchtime, you’re peeling off layers because the Delta sun decided to turn things up to a humid 70 degrees.
Honestly, it's a bit of a rollercoaster.
Right now, as of January 18, 2026, we’re sitting in the thick of a classic winter stretch. It’s sunny, which is a nice break from the grey overcast skies we usually get this time of year, but don't let the blue sky fool you. It is a bone-chilling 22°F outside. With a light west wind at about 6 mph, the "feels like" temperature is hovering around 15°F.
Basically, it's stay-inside-with-coffee weather.
The Reality of Jonesboro’s Four Seasons
People often think of the South as eternally warm. That’s a total myth when it comes to the Upper Delta. Jonesboro is officially classified as a humid subtropical climate, but that doesn't mean we don't see snow or ice.
January is historically the coldest month here. While today's high is expected to reach 34°F with a low of 16°F, the monthly average usually sits around 42°F. It’s a damp cold, the kind that gets into your joints.
Spring is a whole different beast.
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March through May is arguably the most beautiful time in Jonesboro, but it’s also the most volatile. This is when the warm air from the Gulf of Mexico slams into the cooler, drier air from the plains. The result? Some of the most intense thunderstorms you’ll ever see. According to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas, spring is the primary severe weather season, with April being the windiest month, averaging around 16 mph.
Then comes the "Rice Steam."
If you’re a local, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Because Jonesboro is surrounded by rice fields—Arkansas produces about half of the rice in the U.S.—the irrigation creates a localized humidity that is just... thick. July is the hottest month, with average highs of 91°F, but with the humidity, the heat index frequently cruises past 105°F.
What the Data Actually Says
Let’s look at the hard numbers for a second. According to historical data from 1992–2021, Jonesboro averages about 54.63 inches of precipitation a year.
- Wettest Month: March (averaging 5.89 inches).
- Driest Month: September (averaging 2.98 inches).
- Snowfall: We usually get about 3 to 5 inches a year, mostly in January and February.
It’s worth noting that "average" is a loose term here. In 2009, the state saw a record 72.2 inches of rain. Conversely, 1963 was a literal dust bowl with only 32.8 inches.
The Tornado Factor
We can't talk about weather in Jonesboro AR without talking about the wind. Specifically, the kind that rotates. Jonesboro has a heavy history with tornadoes, and it has shaped how the city is built.
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Many people remember the March 28, 2020, EF3 tornado. It was a monster. It stayed on the ground for 12.5 miles and tore right through the heart of the city, hitting the Jonesboro Municipal Airport and the Mall at Turtle Creek.
It was a miracle no one died.
Experts like the National Weather Service (NWS) often point to the "Jonesboro effect," where residents are incredibly weather-aware. After the devastating 1968 tornado that killed 34 people, the community developed a sort of collective intuition. When the sirens go off here, people don't go to the porch to watch; they go to the basement.
Is the Climate Actually Changing Here?
It’s a hot topic, literally. Data from Climate Central suggests that Jonesboro’s winters are getting milder. We’re seeing about nine fewer freezing nights per year compared to 1970.
While the "Big Heat" of the 1930s still holds most of the records, our summer nights are getting warmer. This is often attributed to the Urban Heat Island effect. As Jonesboro grows—and it is growing fast—all that concrete and asphalt holds onto the heat long after the sun goes down.
Farmers in Craighead County are noticing it, too. A rainier spring can delay soybean and rice planting, which is a massive hit to the local economy. In 2021, a mid-April cold snap damaged blackberry and peach crops because the plants had already started flowering early due to a warm March.
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When Should You Actually Visit?
If you're planning a trip to see Arkansas State University or just passing through, timing is everything.
April and May are the sweet spots. The redbuds and dogwoods are blooming, and the temperature usually sits between 65°F and 80°F. Just keep an eye on the radar.
October is the other winner. The humidity drops, the mosquitoes finally die off, and the air gets that crisp, "football weather" feel.
Avoid August if you can. Unless you enjoy feeling like you're walking through a warm, wet blanket.
Actionable Tips for Navigating Jonesboro Weather
- Download a Radar App: Don't rely on the built-in phone weather app. Use something with high-res radar like RadarScope or the local KAIT weather app. In this part of the country, knowing exactly where a storm cell is can save your life.
- The Layer Rule: Even in the summer, carry a light jacket. The AC in most Jonesboro buildings is set to "Arctic" to combat the outside humidity.
- Check Your Tires: When Jonesboro gets winter weather, it’s rarely just snow. It’s usually sleet or freezing rain. The "Delta Glaze" makes the roads like an ice rink, and the local highway department can only do so much.
- Hydrate in July: If you’re outdoors, you’ll lose water faster than you think. The humidity prevents sweat from evaporating, which means your body can't cool itself down efficiently.
Next time you look at the forecast for Jonesboro, remember that the numbers only tell half the story. It’s a place of extremes, but that’s just part of the charm of living in the Natural State.