Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Dawson enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 66°F (19°C). Winters average 46°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 40.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42. The city sits at an elevation of 482 feet.
Temperature
46°F Jan (8°C)84°F Jul (29°C)
Annual Average
65.9°F
22% above US avg
January Average
46°F (8°C)
July Average
84°F (29°C)
Sunny Days
301 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
482 ft (147 m)
Area
1.8 sq mi (4.7 km²)
Population Density
740/sq mi
Coordinates
31.8946°N, 96.7147°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Limestone County County
Nearest Airport
Waco Regional (ACT) 36 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall40.5"
7% above US avg
Snowfall0.0"
Wettest Month (May)5.20"
Driest Month (Jul)1.81"
Air Quality
AQI Median
42.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
59.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability
92.1 / 100
Community Resilience
18.2 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
Hurricane
Relatively Low
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Relatively 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 Moderate
Drought
Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave
Relatively High
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: M4.0.
May 7, 2015
5 km N of Venus, Texas
M4.0
75 km
3 km
Dec 8, 2013
0 km NNE of Sanctuary, Texas
M3.6
140 km
5 km
Nov 20, 2013
1 km NNW of Azle, Texas
M3.6
138 km
5 km
Jan 7, 2015
6 km NE of Irving, Texas
M3.6
107 km
5 km
Jan 6, 2015
4 km ENE of Irving, Texas
M3.5
106 km
6 km
Jun 24, 2012
3 km SSE of Briaroaks, Texas
M3.5
84 km
5 km
Nov 25, 2013
3 km WNW of Sanctuary, Texas
M3.4
142 km
5 km
May 19, 2018
8 km NW of Venus, Texas
M3.4
78 km
5 km
Sep 30, 2012
4 km NW of Irving, Texas
M3.4
108 km
5 km
May 18, 2015
5 km N of Irving, Texas
M3.3
111 km
5 km
May 16, 2009
5 km NNW of Grand Prairie, Texas
M3.3
104 km
9 km
Jun 15, 2012
5 km SSE of Briaroaks, Texas
M3.3
82 km
5 km
Apr 2, 2015
5 km NNE of Irving, Texas
M3.3
109 km
8 km
Jan 18, 2012
9 km SSE of Godley, Texas
M3.3
90 km
5 km
May 1, 2024
7 km S of Mansfield, Texas
M3.2
78 km
6 km
May 3, 2015
4 km N of Irving, Texas
M3.2
109 km
5 km
May 1, 2024
7 km SSW of Mansfield, Texas
M3.1
81 km
4 km
Jan 13, 2014
2 km ESE of Reno, Texas
M3.1
140 km
5 km
Feb 27, 2015
4 km ENE of Irving, Texas
M3.1
106 km
8 km
Jan 7, 2015
4 km NE of Irving, Texas
M3.1
107 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
4 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980.
Strongest on record: Category 2.
Year
Name
Category
Max Wind
Closest
2024
Beryl
Category 1
81 mph
297 km
2008
Ike
Category 2
109 mph
167 km
2005
Rita
Category 3
115 mph
293 km
1983
Alicia
Category 2
92 mph
270 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
599 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 139 fatalities, 1,202 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
May 6, 1973
EF5
78 km
10.6 mi
0
May 11, 1953
EF5
56 km
20.9 mi
114
Apr 29, 2017
EF4
77 km
21.4 mi
2
Apr 25, 1994
EF4
79 km
6.0 mi
3
May 26, 1976
EF4
68 km
18.8 mi
0
Mar 10, 1973
EF4
42 km
23.3 mi
6
Mar 31, 1959
EF4
48 km
10.4 mi
6
Apr 21, 1952
EF4
82 km
2.3 mi
0
Apr 29, 2017
EF3
97 km
39.7 mi
2
Dec 26, 2015
EF3
66 km
8.5 mi
0
May 15, 2013
EF3
84 km
7.8 mi
0
Apr 3, 2012
EF3
98 km
7.7 mi
0
May 12, 2000
EF3
62 km
7.0 mi
2
May 27, 1997
EF3
87 km
3.7 mi
0
Apr 27, 1990
EF3
39 km
4.0 mi
0
Dec 13, 1984
EF3
92 km
10.0 mi
0
Oct 13, 1981
EF3
54 km
7.2 mi
0
May 9, 1981
EF3
30 km
5.2 mi
0
May 9, 1981
EF3
77 km
15.0 mi
0
May 11, 1978
EF3
41 km
7.2 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
4 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: S839 CONCORD ROBBINS (4,388 acres, 2011).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2011
S839 CONCORD ROBBINS
4,388
91 km
2011
BIG TRICKLE RANCH FIRE
3,623
98 km
2011
C#491
3,616
30 km
2011
CEDAR RIDGE
1,051
61 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
46°F (8°C)
2.0 in
Coldest
February
50°F (10°C)
2.5 in
March
58°F (14°C)
3.0 in
April
65°F (18°C)
3.4 in
May
73°F (23°C)
5.2 in
Wettest
June
80°F (27°C)
3.3 in
July
84°F (29°C)
1.8 in
Warmest, Driest
August
84°F (29°C)
2.1 in
September
77°F (25°C)
3.5 in
October
67°F (20°C)
4.0 in
November
56°F (13°C)
2.9 in
December
48°F (9°C)
2.6 in
Dawson has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 46°F in January to 84°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 36.4 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.2") and July the driest (1.8").