Answer:
60.5°F
Step-by-step explanation:
The Random House Dictionary defines climate as “the composite or generally prevailing weather
conditions of a region, such as temperature, air pressure, humidity, precipitation, sunshine, and
winds, throughout the year, averaged over a series of years.” Weather refers to conditions of the
atmosphere over a short period of time. Climate is also concerned with the variability and
probability of weather events.
The climate of Arkansas is classified as “humid subtropical.” Generally, there is a significant
amount of precipitation in every month, and temperatures tend to be mild compared with the
northern part of the country. Both temperatures and precipitation decrease from south to north.
The Ouachita and Ouachita mountains also modify weather and climate. Generally,
temperatures are lower in the mountains, and precipitation is higher, especially on windward
slopes. The lowest temperatures are often found at the bottom of valleys where cold air drains
from mountain tops.
TEMPERATURE
The significance of temperature is often better defined by variability, extremes, and trends trather
than averages. Note the graph below shows that there is only a slight increase in temperature per
century. Yet there is considerable year to year variability. For the period 1895 through 2013, the
statewide average annual temperature in Arkansas varies from 58°F to 63.6°F. The 119 year
average is 60.5°F.