Weather & Climate in Columbus, TX
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Columbus enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 69°F (20°C). Winters average 51°F in January while summers reach 84°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 45.0 inches. The city sits at an elevation of 223 feet.
Temperature
51°F Jan (11°C)
84°F Jul (29°C)
| Annual Average | 68.8°F |
| 27% above US avg | |
| January Average | 51°F (11°C) |
| July Average | 84°F (29°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 223 ft (68 m) |
| Area | 2.9 sq mi (7.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,235/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 29.7045°N, 96.5589°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Colorado County County |
| Nearest Airport | Wharton Regional (WHT) 39 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 62.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 83.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 40.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| 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
86 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.6.
| Jan 30, 2025 | 18 km ENE of Falls City, Texas | M4.6 | 144 km | 7 km |
| Sep 14, 2023 | 16 km ENE of Falls City, Texas | M4.1 | 146 km | 8 km |
| Jan 31, 2025 | 19 km ENE of Falls City, Texas | M3.5 | 143 km | 7 km |
| Apr 10, 2021 | 10 km SSE of Smiley, Texas | M3.4 | 117 km | 5 km |
| Apr 17, 2024 | 21 km ENE of Falls City, Texas | M3.2 | 142 km | 7 km |
| Feb 7, 2021 | 8 km ESE of Smiley, Texas | M3.2 | 110 km | 6 km |
| Sep 11, 2023 | 17 km ENE of Falls City, Texas | M3.1 | 146 km | 8 km |
| Apr 18, 2020 | 21 km ENE of Falls City, Texas | M3.1 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Jan 3, 2025 | 20 km ENE of Falls City, Texas | M3.1 | 143 km | 7 km |
| Feb 19, 2015 | 3 km N of Hallettsville, Texas | M3.1 | 45 km | 5 km |
| May 14, 2019 | 1 km SSE of Smiley, Texas | M3.1 | 115 km | 5 km |
| May 12, 2019 | 18 km N of Yorktown, Texas | M3.1 | 108 km | 5 km |
| May 10, 2019 | 13 km SSE of Stockdale, Texas | M3.0 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Jul 2, 2017 | 13 km NE of Falls City, Texas | M3.0 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Sep 11, 2023 | 17 km ENE of Falls City, Texas | M3.0 | 146 km | 8 km |
| Feb 3, 2019 | 13 km ESE of Smiley, Texas | M3.0 | 107 km | 5 km |
| Mar 4, 2019 | 11 km SE of Cuero, Texas | M3.0 | 98 km | 5 km |
| Jan 1, 2024 | 18 km S of Gonzales, Texas | M3.0 | 95 km | 3 km |
| May 22, 2023 | 16 km S of Smiley, Texas | M2.9 | 124 km | 5 km |
| Aug 18, 2023 | 3 km NNW of Nordheim, Texas | M2.9 | 134 km | 4 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 | 70 km |
| 2021 | Nicholas | Category 1 | 75 mph | 131 km |
| 2020 | Hanna | Category 1 | 81 mph | 295 km |
| 2017 | Harvey | Category 4 | 132 mph | 133 km |
| 2008 | Ike | Category 2 | 109 mph | 147 km |
| 2007 | Humberto | Category 1 | 92 mph | 198 km |
| 2005 | Rita | Category 3 | 115 mph | 253 km |
| 2003 | Claudette | Category 1 | 92 mph | 127 km |
| 1989 | Chantal | Category 1 | 81 mph | 209 km |
| 1989 | Jerry | Category 1 | 86 mph | 161 km |
| 1986 | Bonnie | Category 1 | 86 mph | 219 km |
| 1983 | Alicia | Category 3 | 115 mph | 102 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
506 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 11 fatalities, 241 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 10, 2000 | EF3 | 80 km | 21.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 24, 1975 | EF3 | 76 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 13, 1974 | EF3 | 79 km | 3.6 mi | 0 |
| Sep 20, 1967 | EF3 | 40 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 20, 1967 | EF3 | 63 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| Sep 20, 1967 | EF3 | 34 km | 19.9 mi | 0 |
| Sep 20, 1967 | EF3 | 71 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 20, 1967 | EF3 | 34 km | 19.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1966 | EF3 | 36 km | 9.3 mi | 0 |
| Feb 9, 1966 | EF3 | 82 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 22, 1965 | EF3 | 98 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1965 | EF3 | 61 km | 0.2 mi | 1 |
| Nov 22, 1961 | EF3 | 57 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 14, 1957 | EF3 | 71 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 20, 1957 | EF3 | 77 km | 16.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 20, 1957 | EF3 | 68 km | 7.2 mi | 0 |
| Dec 2, 1953 | EF3 | 97 km | 3.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 1953 | EF3 | 68 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1950 | EF3 | 55 km | 23.9 mi | 0 |
| May 3, 2019 | EF2 | 45 km | 2.4 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
13 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 | 81 km |
| 2011 | RILEY ROAD | 18,999 | 92 km |
| 2011 | DYER MILL | 5,170 | 91 km |
| 2011 | DELHI | 4,735 | 85 km |
| 2015 | HIDDEN PINES | 3,807 | 73 km |
| 2011 | BAILEY | 3,136 | 10 km |
| 2011 | LUTHERHILL | 2,215 | 41 km |
| 2009 | REESE LANE | 1,888 | 10 km |
| 2017 | SALEM RD | 1,672 | 97 km |
| 2011 | GEORGE BUSH PARK | 1,557 | 87 km |
| 2009 | WILDERNESS RIDGE | 1,278 | 75 km |
| 2009 | EL TORRO | 1,108 | 90 km |
| 1998 | PRAUSE PRAIRIE | 1,027 | 26 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 51°F (11°C) | 3.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 56°F (13°C) | 2.8 in | Driest |
| March | 62°F (17°C) | 3.3 in | |
| April | 68°F (20°C) | 3.8 in | |
| May | 76°F (24°C) | 4.8 in | |
| June | 81°F (27°C) | 5.1 in | Wettest |
| July | 84°F (29°C) | 2.9 in | |
| August | 84°F (29°C) | 3.3 in | Warmest |
| September | 79°F (26°C) | 3.3 in | |
| October | 71°F (21°C) | 4.7 in | |
| November | 61°F (16°C) | 4.0 in | |
| December | 53°F (12°C) | 3.4 in |
Columbus has a seasonal temperature swing of 33°F / from 51°F in January to 84°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 45.0 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.1") and February the driest (2.8").