Weather & Climate in Amherst, TX

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Amherst enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. The area gets 330 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 19.0 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 7.8 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42. The city sits at an elevation of 3,648 feet.

Temperature

39°F Jan (4°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	58.6°F
	9% above US avg
January Average	39°F (4°C)
July Average	78°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3,648 ft (1,112 m)
Area	0.9 sq mi (2.4 km²)
Population Density	992/sq mi
Coordinates	34.0120°N, 102.4148°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Lamb County County
Nearest Airport	Lubbock Preston Smith International (LBB) 42 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 19.0"

50% below US avg

Snowfall 7.8"

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.03"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.43"

Air Quality

AQI Median	42.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	61.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	84.7 / 100
Community Resilience	18.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Hurricane	Very Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Relatively High
Strong Wind	Relatively High
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Relatively Low
Ice Storm	Relatively Low
Drought	Relatively High
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
Landslide	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

5 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M2.8.

Jun 26, 2024	14 km ESE of Amarillo, Texas	M2.8	148 km	17 km
Apr 21, 2024	24 km S of Adrian, Texas	M2.7	118 km	10 km
Aug 2, 2000	6 km WSW of Amarillo, Texas	M2.7	140 km	5 km
Apr 30, 2022	8 km E of Anton, Texas	M2.6	39 km	2 km
May 29, 2024	7 km E of Amarillo, Texas	M2.6	148 km	11 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

776 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 46 fatalities, 847 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 11, 1970	EF5	70 km	8.4 mi	26
Apr 17, 1970	EF4	45 km	130.0 mi	1
Apr 17, 1970	EF4	40 km	96.6 mi	5
Apr 17, 1970	EF4	50 km	30.0 mi	0
Jun 2, 1965	EF4	27 km	39.3 mi	4
Apr 21, 1957	EF4	97 km	15.5 mi	0
Apr 21, 1957	EF4	47 km	29.2 mi	0
Apr 14, 2017	EF3	63 km	3.6 mi	0
Jun 9, 2005	EF3	77 km	15.0 mi	0
May 12, 2005	EF3	97 km	6.0 mi	0
Jun 2, 1995	EF3	74 km	10.0 mi	0
May 10, 1991	EF3	25 km	8.5 mi	0
Jun 6, 1989	EF3	93 km	30.0 mi	0
May 28, 1980	EF3	72 km	6.1 mi	0
May 28, 1980	EF3	83 km	2.0 mi	0
Apr 15, 1973	EF3	64 km	7.6 mi	2
Apr 19, 1971	EF3	90 km	6.1 mi	0
May 16, 1969	EF3	13 km	0.6 mi	0
May 6, 1969	EF3	21 km	1.0 mi	0
Oct 17, 1965	EF3	10 km	0.2 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: TIRE (44,942 acres, 2011).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2011	TIRE	44,942	99 km
2018	206	40,247	83 km
2008	UNNAMED	10,085	35 km
2017	303	9,601	69 km
2011	FATHERS DAY	8,947	58 km
2006	FM 214 CR 210	8,848	60 km
2016	KAISER 8	8,551	73 km
2022	ARCH	5,849	71 km
2006	HWY 37	5,015	17 km
2011	OLYMPIA	4,600	24 km
2011	HAPPY	3,966	87 km
2011	SPADE RANCH	3,904	78 km
1993	BRONCO	3,789	98 km
2011	WHITEFACE	3,743	57 km
1988	UNNAMED	3,613	58 km
2011	SIERRA BLANCA	3,522	87 km
1998	UNNAMED	3,462	21 km
2006	PEP 2	3,339	94 km
2011	TOKE PLANT/WISEMAN COMPLEX	3,210	26 km
2000	CURRY RD 3	3,026	86 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	39°F (4°C)	0.4 in	Driest
February	42°F (5°C)	0.6 in
March	48°F (9°C)	0.6 in
April	57°F (14°C)	0.9 in
May	66°F (19°C)	2.1 in
June	75°F (24°C)	3.0 in	Wettest
July	78°F (26°C)	2.2 in	Warmest
August	75°F (24°C)	2.9 in
September	69°F (20°C)	2.4 in
October	58°F (15°C)	1.5 in
November	46°F (8°C)	0.7 in
December	38°F (4°C)	0.6 in	Coldest

Amherst has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 38°F in December to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 18.0 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.0") and January the driest (0.4").

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