Our Climate

The winter average temperature is approximately 43 degrees (F) and the average daily minimum temperature is 32 degrees (F). The summer average temperature is 80 degrees (F) and the average daily maximum temperature is 93 degrees (F).

Average annual precipitation is 45 inches. Of this, 26 inches, or about 60 percent, usually falls in April through September. The growing season for most crops falls within this period. In 2 years out of 10, the rainfall in April through September is less than 20 inches. The average seasonal snow fall is 4.2 inches. On an average of 2 days, at least 1 inch of snow is on the ground. The number of such days varies greatly from year to year.

The average relative humidity in mid-afternoon is about 50 percent. Humidity is higher at night, and the average at dawn is about 80 percent. The sun shines 70 percent of the time possible in summer and 50 percent in winter. The prevailing wind is from the southwest. Average windspeed is highest, 10 miles per hour, in March.

Tornadoes and severe thunderstorms, which occur occasionally, are local and of short duration. The pattern of damage is variable and spotty.

The Land We Farm

LeFlore County is mainly in the Arkansas Valley and the Ouachita Mountains physiographic sections. Topography differences range from the nearly level flood plains of the Arkansas, Poteau, and Kiamichi rivers and major creeks to the steep mountainous areas in the southern part of the county. Most of the drainage is into the Poteau and Kiamichi Rivers by way of creeks and streams.

Soil, water, timber, coal, natural gas, stone and gravel, fish, wild game, and scenic beauty are the main natural resources of the county.

Soil, the most important natural resource in the county, produces pasture and hay, timber, and crops. Farm ponds are a source of water for livestock and are used for fish production. Sandstone is the most common surface rock in the area (it is excavated and used in building construction). Fishes, wildlife, and game are abundant. Crappie, bass, and catfish are the most common fishes in lakes and rivers. The habitat has abundant cover and food for deer, dove, turkey, quail, squirrel, and duck and for fur-bearing animals such as mink, beaver, fox, and bobcat.