Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Buchanan Dam enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F (19°C). Winters average 47°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. The area gets 303 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 32.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42. The city sits at an elevation of 1,061 feet.
Temperature
47°F Jan (8°C)83°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average
65.3°F
21% above US avg
January Average
47°F (8°C)
July Average
83°F (28°C)
Sunny Days
303 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
1,061 ft (323 m)
Area
20.2 sq mi (52.4 km²)
Population Density
175/sq mi
Coordinates
30.8157°N, 98.4527°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Burnet County County
Nearest Airport
Austin-Bergstrom International (AUS) 63 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall32.3"
15% below US avg
Snowfall0.1"
Wettest Month (May)4.37"
Driest Month (Jan)1.38"
Air Quality
AQI Median
42.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
76.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability
82.7 / 100
Community Resilience
35.5 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Moderate
Hurricane
Relatively Low
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Relatively Low
Flood
Relatively Moderate
Hail
Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave
Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather
Relatively Moderate
Lightning
Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm
Relatively Low
Drought
Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave
Relatively Moderate
Landslide
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1 earthquake (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M2.9.
Sep 3, 2015
7 km NNE of Leander, Texas
M2.9
62 km
5 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
2024
Beryl
Category 1
92 mph
290 km
2017
Harvey
Category 3
121 mph
260 km
2003
Claudette
Category 1
92 mph
288 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
332 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 34 fatalities, 198 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
May 27, 1997
EF5
80 km
5.1 mi
27
May 11, 1999
EF4
64 km
7.0 mi
1
May 27, 1997
EF4
65 km
5.6 mi
1
Apr 12, 2022
EF3
64 km
16.6 mi
0
Oct 12, 2001
EF3
66 km
2.5 mi
0
May 11, 1999
EF3
92 km
3.5 mi
0
May 27, 1997
EF3
67 km
9.2 mi
0
May 13, 1994
EF3
32 km
3.5 mi
0
Mar 14, 1990
EF3
95 km
9.0 mi
0
May 17, 1989
EF3
80 km
3.0 mi
1
Apr 7, 1980
EF3
79 km
31.7 mi
1
Mar 2, 1979
EF3
89 km
7.1 mi
0
May 26, 1976
EF3
95 km
2.0 mi
2
Mar 10, 1973
EF3
23 km
7.8 mi
0
May 6, 1969
EF3
81 km
38.9 mi
0
May 10, 1959
EF3
92 km
11.0 mi
0
Mar 21, 2022
EF2
83 km
34.6 mi
0
Jun 9, 2019
EF2
60 km
1.6 mi
0
Jan 15, 2017
EF2
78 km
2.0 mi
0
Jun 12, 2014
EF2
35 km
1.7 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: CRITTENBERG COMPLEX (21,391 acres, 2022).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2022
CRITTENBERG COMPLEX
21,391
88 km
1993
SAN SABA FIRE
12,896
57 km
2020
GATE 5
11,457
98 km
2015
EATON CEMETERY
10,441
55 km
2020
MAYS
9,736
73 km
1999
WILLIAMS RANCH FIRE
6,226
47 km
2011
ROBINETTE
6,039
83 km
2011
UNNAMED
5,706
87 km
2003
UNNAMED
4,490
64 km
2011
SPICEWOOD
4,239
56 km
2011
JAMES RIVER ROAD
3,918
84 km
1984
STEWAIT
3,696
49 km
2020
BUFFALO CREEK
3,630
85 km
2015
LOG CABIN
3,391
56 km
2022
3 OAKS
3,294
67 km
2005
UNNAMED
3,133
75 km
2018
HARMAN ROAD
3,094
74 km
2000
UNNAMED
2,928
64 km
2007
ART
2,623
62 km
2009
OWL CREEK
2,376
88 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
47°F (8°C)
1.4 in
Coldest, Driest
February
51°F (11°C)
2.0 in
March
59°F (15°C)
2.0 in
April
66°F (19°C)
2.4 in
May
73°F (23°C)
4.4 in
Wettest
June
80°F (26°C)
3.2 in
July
83°F (28°C)
1.8 in
Warmest
August
83°F (28°C)
2.1 in
September
77°F (25°C)
3.0 in
October
68°F (20°C)
3.2 in
November
57°F (14°C)
2.1 in
December
49°F (10°C)
1.6 in
Buchanan Dam has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 47°F in January to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 29.0 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.4") and January the driest (1.4").
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