Weather & Climate in Ben Wheeler, TX

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

Ben Wheeler enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 66°F (19°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. The area gets 308 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 44.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42. The city sits at an elevation of 516 feet.

Temperature

46°F Jan (8°C) 83°F Jul (29°C)

Annual Average	65.5°F
	21% above US avg
January Average	46°F (8°C)
July Average	83°F (29°C)
Sunny Days	308 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	516 ft (157 m)
Area	3.0 sq mi (7.8 km²)
Population Density	598/sq mi
Coordinates	32.4465°N, 95.7019°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Van Zandt County County
Nearest Airport	Tyler Pounds Regional (TYR) 19 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 44.8"

18% above US avg

Wettest Month (May) 5.08"

Driest Month (Aug) 1.89"

Air Quality

AQI Median	42.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	58.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability	39.1 / 100
Community Resilience	27.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

74 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.8.

May 17, 2012	3 km NE of Timpson, Texas	M4.8	138 km	5 km
Sep 2, 2013	3 km WNW of Timpson, Texas	M4.3	134 km	5 km
Sep 2, 2013	14 km WNW of Timpson, Texas	M4.2	123 km	5 km
Jan 25, 2013	11 km SE of Timpson, Texas	M4.1	148 km	5 km
May 7, 2015	5 km N of Venus, Texas	M4.0	131 km	3 km
May 10, 2012	9 km NW of Timpson, Texas	M3.9	128 km	7 km
Jan 7, 2015	6 km NE of Irving, Texas	M3.6	120 km	5 km
Jun 24, 2012	3 km SSE of Briaroaks, Texas	M3.5	149 km	5 km
Mar 29, 2025	13 km NNE of Wells, Texas	M3.5	123 km	7 km
Jan 6, 2015	4 km ENE of Irving, Texas	M3.5	120 km	6 km
Sep 30, 2012	4 km NW of Irving, Texas	M3.4	127 km	5 km
May 19, 2018	8 km NW of Venus, Texas	M3.4	138 km	5 km
May 31, 1997	3 km ESE of Neylandville, Texas	M3.4	85 km	5 km
May 18, 2015	5 km N of Irving, Texas	M3.3	126 km	5 km
May 16, 2009	5 km NNW of Grand Prairie, Texas	M3.3	129 km	9 km
Jun 15, 2012	5 km SSE of Briaroaks, Texas	M3.3	147 km	5 km
Apr 2, 2015	5 km NNE of Irving, Texas	M3.3	124 km	8 km
May 3, 2015	4 km N of Irving, Texas	M3.2	125 km	5 km
May 1, 2024	7 km S of Mansfield, Texas	M3.2	136 km	6 km
May 1, 2024	7 km SSW of Mansfield, Texas	M3.1	139 km	4 km

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

Hurricane History

3 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.

Year	Name	Category	Max Wind	Closest
2020	Laura	Category 4	150 mph	250 km
2008	Ike	Category 2	98 mph	165 km
2005	Rita	Category 2	75 mph	264 km

Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

594 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 30 fatalities, 1,185 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Apr 29, 2017	EF4	36 km	21.4 mi	2
Dec 26, 2015	EF4	92 km	13.0 mi	10
Apr 25, 1994	EF4	100 km	6.0 mi	3
Apr 29, 2017	EF3	17 km	39.7 mi	2
May 10, 2015	EF3	9 km	10.2 mi	2
Apr 3, 2012	EF3	80 km	7.7 mi	0
Apr 6, 2003	EF3	86 km	38.2 mi	0
May 4, 1999	EF3	96 km	71.5 mi	1
Apr 26, 1991	EF3	58 km	3.0 mi	0
Apr 1, 1988	EF3	74 km	13.0 mi	0
Nov 15, 1987	EF3	94 km	10.5 mi	1
Nov 15, 1987	EF3	78 km	33.0 mi	4
Dec 13, 1984	EF3	92 km	10.0 mi	0
Oct 13, 1981	EF3	70 km	7.2 mi	0
May 9, 1981	EF3	58 km	15.0 mi	0
May 3, 1979	EF3	41 km	7.2 mi	0
Apr 1, 1979	EF3	86 km	5.6 mi	0
Feb 23, 1979	EF3	38 km	10.3 mi	0
May 5, 1978	EF3	68 km	29.9 mi	0
Oct 31, 1974	EF3	93 km	2.0 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

8 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: OLD MAGNOLIA (4,881 acres, 2011).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2011	OLD MAGNOLIA	4,881	73 km
2011	DIANA	2,863	89 km
2006	UNNAMED	1,634	94 km
2011	495	1,606	67 km
2011	HENDERSON 474 JOHNSON	1,594	80 km
2011	HENDERSON 475	1,379	56 km
2006	COOPER LAKE	1,224	92 km
2011	507	1,121	93 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	46°F (8°C)	2.6 in	Coldest
February	50°F (10°C)	3.3 in
March	57°F (14°C)	3.6 in
April	64°F (18°C)	4.1 in
May	72°F (22°C)	5.1 in	Wettest
June	79°F (26°C)	3.7 in
July	83°F (29°C)	2.1 in	Warmest
August	82°F (28°C)	1.9 in	Driest
September	76°F (25°C)	3.7 in
October	66°F (19°C)	4.0 in
November	55°F (13°C)	3.7 in
December	48°F (9°C)	3.5 in

Ben Wheeler has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 46°F in January to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 41.3 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.1") and August the driest (1.9").

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