Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Clay enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 68°F (20°C). Winters average 50°F in January while summers reach 84°F in July. The area gets 301 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 44.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42. The city sits at an elevation of 212 feet.
Temperature
50°F Jan (10°C)84°F Jul (29°C)
Annual Average
68.0°F
26% above US avg
January Average
50°F (10°C)
July Average
84°F (29°C)
Sunny Days
301 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
212 ft (65 m)
Area
4.5 sq mi (11.6 km²)
Population Density
5/sq mi
Coordinates
30.3885°N, 96.3449°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Washington County County
Nearest Airport
H H Coffield Regional (RCK) 42 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall44.2"
16% above US avg
Snowfall0.0"
Wettest Month (May)4.92"
Driest Month (Jul)2.01"
Air Quality
AQI Median
42.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
72.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability
86.3 / 100
Community Resilience
58.8 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Moderate
Hurricane
Relatively Moderate
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Low
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Low
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
6 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M3.1.
Feb 19, 2015
3 km N of Hallettsville, Texas
M3.1
117 km
5 km
Sep 3, 2015
7 km NNE of Leander, Texas
M2.9
145 km
5 km
Oct 20, 2017
5 km W of Flatonia, Texas
M2.9
112 km
3 km
Jan 4, 1995
1 km NW of Hallettsville, Texas
M2.7
120 km
5 km
Aug 24, 2021
3 km NNW of Hallettsville, Texas
M2.6
117 km
5 km
Apr 2, 2024
4 km SSW of Round Top, Texas
M2.5
54 km
17 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
12 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
126 km
2021
Nicholas
Category 1
75 mph
187 km
2020
Laura
Category 4
150 mph
283 km
2017
Harvey
Category 4
132 mph
209 km
2008
Ike
Category 2
109 mph
110 km
2007
Humberto
Category 1
92 mph
212 km
2005
Rita
Category 3
115 mph
216 km
2003
Claudette
Category 1
92 mph
206 km
1989
Chantal
Category 1
81 mph
207 km
1989
Jerry
Category 1
86 mph
185 km
1986
Bonnie
Category 1
86 mph
204 km
1983
Alicia
Category 3
115 mph
112 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
426 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 19 fatalities, 183 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Apr 13, 2019
EF3
65 km
32.5 mi
0
Mar 10, 2000
EF3
32 km
21.0 mi
0
Feb 5, 1986
EF3
86 km
5.0 mi
2
Dec 12, 1968
EF3
88 km
6.2 mi
0
Sep 20, 1967
EF3
64 km
19.9 mi
0
Sep 20, 1967
EF3
64 km
19.9 mi
0
Sep 22, 1965
EF3
62 km
0.8 mi
0
May 10, 1959
EF3
49 km
15.8 mi
0
Oct 14, 1957
EF3
45 km
1.0 mi
0
Apr 24, 1957
EF3
99 km
14.7 mi
0
Mar 20, 1957
EF3
56 km
16.9 mi
0
Mar 20, 1957
EF3
48 km
7.2 mi
0
Apr 5, 1956
EF3
33 km
5.2 mi
0
Dec 2, 1953
EF3
61 km
3.3 mi
0
Apr 28, 1953
EF3
90 km
0.5 mi
0
Jun 5, 1950
EF3
24 km
23.9 mi
0
May 3, 2019
EF2
80 km
2.4 mi
0
Apr 24, 2019
EF2
33 km
1.7 mi
0
Feb 20, 2017
EF2
99 km
9.4 mi
0
Feb 20, 2017
EF2
98 km
4.2 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: BASTROP COUNTY COMPLEX (31,838 acres, 2011).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2011
BASTROP COUNTY COMPLEX
31,838
90 km
2011
RILEY ROAD
18,999
52 km
2019
UNNAMED
6,349
58 km
2011
DYER MILL
5,170
43 km
2013
UNNAMED
5,033
75 km
2020
C-38/39/40
4,708
70 km
2011
S839 CONCORD ROBBINS
4,388
95 km
2013
UNNAMED
4,218
64 km
2017
UNNAMED
4,195
75 km
2016
UNNAMED
4,014
70 km
2022
UNNAMED
3,972
71 km
2010
RX BURN C 36 39
3,832
71 km
2015
HIDDEN PINES
3,807
88 km
2022
UNNAMED
3,796
96 km
2013
UNNAMED
3,489
57 km
2011
BAILEY
3,136
71 km
2010
RX BURN C-61 WMA
3,103
76 km
2010
RX BURN COMPARTMENT 22-23-24
3,012
65 km
2011
CRAB PRAIRIE
2,933
63 km
2016
UNNAMED
2,832
60 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
50°F (10°C)
3.2 in
Coldest
February
53°F (12°C)
2.8 in
March
61°F (16°C)
2.8 in
April
67°F (20°C)
3.5 in
May
74°F (24°C)
4.9 in
Wettest
June
81°F (27°C)
3.9 in
July
84°F (29°C)
2.0 in
Driest
August
84°F (29°C)
2.4 in
Warmest
September
79°F (26°C)
4.8 in
October
70°F (21°C)
3.9 in
November
59°F (15°C)
3.3 in
December
52°F (11°C)
3.0 in
Clay has a seasonal temperature swing of 34°F / from 50°F in January to 84°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 40.3 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.9") and July the driest (2.0").