Weather & Climate in Ben Bolt, TX
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Ben Bolt has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 73°F (23°C). Winters average 57°F in January while summers reach 85°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 29.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 195 feet.
Temperature
57°F Jan (14°C)
85°F Jul (30°C)
| Annual Average | 72.8°F |
| 35% above US avg | |
| January Average | 57°F (14°C) |
| July Average | 85°F (30°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 195 ft (59 m) |
| Area | 12.2 sq mi (31.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 195/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 27.6659°N, 98.0966°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Jim Wells County County |
| Nearest Airport | Alice International (ALI) 7 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 86.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 93.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 18.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
131 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.8.
| Oct 20, 2011 | 14 km SSW of Falls City, Texas | M4.8 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Feb 17, 2024 | 3 km SSW of Falls City, Texas | M4.5 | 143 km | 7 km |
| Feb 17, 2024 | 3 km S of Falls City, Texas | M4.3 | 143 km | 8 km |
| Apr 9, 1993 | 21 km NW of Pawnee, Texas | M4.1 | 127 km | 5 km |
| May 1, 2018 | 4 km SSE of Falls City, Texas | M4.0 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Apr 25, 2010 | 10 km WNW of Driscoll, Texas | M3.9 | 25 km | 5 km |
| Feb 17, 2024 | 3 km S of Falls City, Texas | M3.9 | 143 km | 8 km |
| Apr 7, 2008 | 7 km SSW of Falls City, Texas | M3.9 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Feb 22, 2024 | 3 km E of Falls City, Texas | M3.9 | 147 km | 8 km |
| Mar 24, 1997 | 4 km SSE of Alice, Texas | M3.8 | 7 km | 5 km |
| Jul 19, 2023 | 19 km E of Pleasanton, Texas | M3.8 | 146 km | 9 km |
| Feb 17, 2024 | 2 km S of Falls City, Texas | M3.7 | 144 km | 8 km |
| Feb 12, 2024 | 3 km S of Falls City, Texas | M3.7 | 143 km | 7 km |
| Jul 20, 1991 | 8 km SSW of Falls City, Texas | M3.6 | 138 km | 10 km |
| Jan 6, 2018 | 17 km SW of Falls City, Texas | M3.6 | 132 km | 5 km |
| Jun 16, 2019 | 5 km SE of Falls City, Texas | M3.6 | 143 km | 5 km |
| May 2, 2024 | 2 km E of Falls City, Texas | M3.5 | 147 km | 7 km |
| Feb 23, 2024 | 2 km ESE of Falls City, Texas | M3.5 | 146 km | 8 km |
| Jun 24, 2012 | 16 km ESE of Tilden, Texas | M3.4 | 89 km | 5 km |
| Feb 9, 2024 | 3 km S of Falls City, Texas | M3.4 | 143 km | 6 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
10 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 4.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2024 | Beryl | Category 1 | 92 mph | 224 km |
| 2021 | Nicholas | Category 1 | 75 mph | 190 km |
| 2020 | Hanna | Category 1 | 92 mph | 118 km |
| 2017 | Harvey | Category 4 | 132 mph | 115 km |
| 2008 | Dolly | Category 2 | 98 mph | 133 km |
| 2003 | Claudette | Category 1 | 92 mph | 157 km |
| 2003 | Erika | Category 1 | 75 mph | 272 km |
| 1999 | Bret | Category 4 | 144 mph | 63 km |
| 1983 | Barry | Category 1 | 81 mph | 259 km |
| 1980 | Allen | Category 5 | 161 mph | 89 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
331 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 2 fatalities, 107 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 29, 1976 | EF3 | 77 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 1970 | EF3 | 33 km | 1.5 mi | 1 |
| May 16, 1969 | EF3 | 48 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 1967 | EF3 | 82 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1965 | EF3 | 61 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 8, 1963 | EF3 | 87 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 22, 1954 | EF3 | 85 km | 20.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 24, 2002 | EF2 | 48 km | 2.5 mi | 1 |
| Aug 10, 1980 | EF2 | 10 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 10, 1980 | EF2 | 31 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 9, 1980 | EF2 | 79 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 9, 1980 | EF2 | 31 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 1976 | EF2 | 52 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1976 | EF2 | 38 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 1976 | EF2 | 31 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 29, 1971 | EF2 | 93 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 1970 | EF2 | 52 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 1969 | EF2 | 29 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 1968 | EF2 | 83 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 1968 | EF2 | 49 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BORREGA (54,575 acres, 2022).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2022 | BORREGA | 54,575 | 35 km |
| 2011 | SMAC | 19,449 | 61 km |
| 2020 | SHOOTING RANGE | 15,389 | 82 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 13,175 | 69 km |
| 2012 | 6 MILE | 12,272 | 82 km |
| 2024 | LAGUNA 24 | 12,147 | 82 km |
| 2005 | DAISY | 10,556 | 82 km |
| 2021 | KING | 9,793 | 85 km |
| 2022 | VIB | 7,817 | 83 km |
| 2017 | HOPPER | 7,150 | 71 km |
| 2018 | TRUST | 6,648 | 83 km |
| 2022 | BLANKET | 5,823 | 71 km |
| 2009 | TURTLE | 5,457 | 94 km |
| 1986 | FIREWORKS | 4,733 | 82 km |
| 2008 | POLARIS | 4,624 | 83 km |
| 2011 | GUS CANALAS | 4,316 | 38 km |
| 2018 | LIGHTNING14 | 4,241 | 86 km |
| 2008 | ENCINO | 3,979 | 87 km |
| 2023 | LAGUNA LARGA | 3,850 | 40 km |
| 2014 | 28 MILE | 3,719 | 95 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 57°F (14°C) | 1.2 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 61°F (16°C) | 1.3 in | |
| March | 67°F (20°C) | 2.2 in | |
| April | 74°F (23°C) | 1.5 in | |
| May | 79°F (26°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 84°F (29°C) | 3.7 in | |
| July | 85°F (30°C) | 2.6 in | |
| August | 86°F (30°C) | 2.9 in | Warmest |
| September | 82°F (28°C) | 4.5 in | Wettest |
| October | 74°F (24°C) | 1.7 in | |
| November | 65°F (19°C) | 1.6 in | |
| December | 59°F (15°C) | 1.9 in |
Ben Bolt has a seasonal temperature swing of 29°F / from 57°F in January to 86°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 29.1 inches, with September being the wettest month (4.5") and January the driest (1.2").