Rafael Pena has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 74°F (23°C). Winters average 58°F in January while summers reach 87°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 22.5 inches. The area receives 0.1 inches of snow annually.
Temperature
58°F Jan (14°C)
87°F Jul (31°C)
| Annual Average | 74.4°F |
| 38% above US avg |
| January Average | 58°F (14°C) |
| July Average | 87°F (31°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 209 ft (64 m) |
| Area | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,600/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 26.3009°N, 98.6409°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Starr County County |
| Nearest Airport | Mc Allen International (MFE)
28 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall
22.5"
41% below US avg
Wettest Month (Sep)
5.12"
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 84.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 97.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 0.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado |
Relatively Low |
| Hurricane |
Relatively Low |
| Earthquake |
Very Low |
| Wildfire |
Relatively Low |
| Flood |
Relatively Low |
| Hail |
Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind |
Very Low |
| Heat Wave |
Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather |
Relatively Low |
| Lightning |
Very Low |
| Ice Storm |
Relatively Moderate |
| Drought |
Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave |
Very High |
| Landslide |
Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
13 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest: M4.4. Most recent: M4.2 on May 12, 2025.
| Jun 14, 2009 |
35 km E of Ciudad General Terán, Mexico |
M4.4 |
132 km |
| May 12, 2025 |
13 km E of Ciudad General Terán, Mexico |
M4.2 |
148 km |
| Mar 18, 2014 |
18 km E of Pueblo Nuevo, Mexico |
M4.1 |
132 km |
| Jan 19, 2014 |
12 km SSW of China, Mexico |
M4.1 |
102 km |
| Dec 22, 2013 |
19 km NE of Ciudad General Terán, Mexico |
M4.0 |
137 km |
| Feb 11, 2014 |
31 km SSE of China, Mexico |
M4.0 |
109 km |
| Mar 4, 2014 |
27 km SE of Los Ramones, Mexico |
M4.0 |
119 km |
| Nov 25, 2013 |
23 km SE of Los Ramones, Mexico |
M4.0 |
121 km |
| Mar 2, 2014 |
15 km SW of China, Mexico |
M4.0 |
105 km |
| Nov 30, 2013 |
26 km SE of Los Ramones, Mexico |
M3.9 |
121 km |
| Mar 5, 2014 |
18 km SSW of China, Mexico |
M3.9 |
106 km |
| Nov 26, 2013 |
22 km S of China, Mexico |
M3.6 |
107 km |
| Aug 30, 2016 |
11 km N of Los Ramones, Mexico |
M3.6 |
115 km |
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)
Hurricane History
10 hurricanes (Cat 1+) within 500 km since 1980.
Strongest: Category 4. Most recent: Hanna (2020, Cat 1).
| Year |
Name |
Category |
Closest |
| 2020 |
Hanna |
Category 1 |
72 km |
| 2017 |
Harvey |
Category 4 |
242 km |
| 2010 |
Alex |
Category 2 |
245 km |
| 2008 |
Dolly |
Category 2 |
87 km |
| 2005 |
Emily |
Category 3 |
145 km |
| 2003 |
Erika |
Category 1 |
161 km |
| 1999 |
Bret |
Category 4 |
104 km |
| 1988 |
Gilbert |
Category 4 |
190 km |
| 1983 |
Barry |
Category 1 |
152 km |
| 1980 |
Allen |
Category 4 |
70 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Cat 1+, 1980-2026)
Tornado History
87 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest: EF3. Total: 67 injuries.
| Date |
Rating |
Distance |
Fatalities |
| Mar 15, 1983 |
EF3 |
43 km |
0 |
| May 12, 1969 |
EF3 |
96 km |
0 |
| Apr 19, 1965 |
EF3 |
54 km |
0 |
| May 5, 1991 |
EF2 |
29 km |
0 |
| May 24, 1970 |
EF2 |
90 km |
0 |
| May 23, 1970 |
EF2 |
92 km |
0 |
| May 23, 1970 |
EF2 |
91 km |
0 |
| Apr 26, 1967 |
EF2 |
20 km |
0 |
| Jun 1, 1962 |
EF2 |
88 km |
0 |
| Sep 7, 1956 |
EF2 |
92 km |
0 |
| Jan 26, 1950 |
EF2 |
83 km |
0 |
| Oct 30, 2015 |
EF1 |
97 km |
0 |
| Jun 30, 2011 |
EF1 |
49 km |
0 |
| Jul 16, 2007 |
EF1 |
43 km |
0 |
| Apr 30, 2003 |
EF1 |
21 km |
0 |
| May 21, 2001 |
EF1 |
32 km |
0 |
| May 21, 2001 |
EF1 |
33 km |
0 |
| Jun 14, 1994 |
EF1 |
31 km |
0 |
| Sep 16, 1988 |
EF1 |
95 km |
0 |
| Sep 7, 1983 |
EF1 |
30 km |
0 |
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km.
Largest: BURNS RANCH FIRE (58,395 ac, 2008).
| Year |
Name |
Acres |
Distance |
| 2008 |
BURNS RANCH FIRE |
58,395 |
61 km |
| 2021 |
KING |
9,793 |
87 km |
| 2022 |
VIB |
7,817 |
90 km |
| 2017 |
HOPPER |
7,150 |
91 km |
| 2022 |
BLANKET |
5,823 |
90 km |
| 2008 |
ENCINO |
3,979 |
83 km |
| 2021 |
NORTH JONES |
3,541 |
83 km |
| 2008 |
UNNAMED |
3,389 |
61 km |
| 2011 |
KING RANCH |
3,075 |
97 km |
| 2008 |
JONES RANCH |
2,998 |
64 km |
| 2005 |
2686 |
2,979 |
55 km |
| 2009 |
HOPPER |
2,929 |
89 km |
| 2021 |
JONES |
2,178 |
77 km |
| 2010 |
ENCINITOS RANCH |
1,967 |
59 km |
| 2022 |
755 |
1,846 |
84 km |
| 2011 |
ENCINITOS |
1,748 |
62 km |
| 2009 |
STILLMAN |
1,466 |
82 km |
| 2023 |
ELECTRIC SLIDE |
1,410 |
85 km |
| 2008 |
SAN RAFAEL RANCH |
1,407 |
59 km |
| 2005 |
BORREGO |
1,392 |
61 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)
Monthly Weather
| Month |
Avg Temperature |
Precipitation |
Summary |
| January |
58°F (14°C) |
0.8 in |
Coldest, Driest |
| February |
63°F (17°C) |
1.0 in |
|
| March |
69°F (21°C) |
1.3 in |
|
| April |
76°F (24°C) |
1.0 in |
|
| May |
82°F (28°C) |
2.9 in |
|
| June |
86°F (30°C) |
2.8 in |
|
| July |
87°F (31°C) |
2.0 in |
|
| August |
87°F (31°C) |
1.3 in |
Warmest |
| September |
83°F (28°C) |
5.1 in |
Wettest |
| October |
76°F (24°C) |
2.5 in |
|
| November |
67°F (19°C) |
1.1 in |
|
| December |
59°F (15°C) |
0.8 in |
|
Rafael Pena has a seasonal temperature swing of 29°F / from 58°F in January to 87°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 22.5 inches, with September being the wettest month (5.1") and January the driest (0.8").