Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Elsa has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 75°F (24°C). Winters average 60°F in January while summers reach 86°F in July. The area gets 312 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 24.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42. The city sits at an elevation of 67 feet.
Temperature
60°F Jan (16°C)86°F Jul (30°C)
Annual Average
74.7°F
38% above US avg
January Average
60°F (16°C)
July Average
86°F (30°C)
Sunny Days
312 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
67 ft (20 m)
Area
1.5 sq mi (3.9 km²)
Population Density
2,722/sq mi
Coordinates
26.2978°N, 97.9936°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Willacy County County
Nearest Airport
Mc Allen International (MFE) 14 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall24.6"
35% below US avg
Snowfall0.1"
Wettest Month (Sep)4.96"
Driest Month (Mar)0.67"
Air Quality
AQI Median
42.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
77.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability
95.0 / 100
Community Resilience
3.7 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Very Low
Hurricane
Relatively Moderate
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Very Low
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Very Low
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Very Low
Lightning
Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm
Relatively Low
Drought
Relatively High
Cold Wave
Relatively High
Landslide
Very Low
Coastal Flood
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: M4.0.
Feb 11, 2014
31 km SSE of China, Mexico
M4.0
149 km
41 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
13 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980.
Strongest on record: Category 5.
Year
Name
Category
Max Wind
Closest
2024
Beryl
Category 1
92 mph
268 km
2021
Nicholas
Category 1
75 mph
259 km
2020
Hanna
Category 1
92 mph
34 km
2017
Harvey
Category 4
132 mph
190 km
2010
Alex
Category 2
109 mph
233 km
2008
Dolly
Category 2
98 mph
30 km
2005
Emily
Category 3
127 mph
156 km
2003
Claudette
Category 1
92 mph
278 km
2003
Erika
Category 1
75 mph
126 km
1999
Bret
Category 4
144 mph
73 km
1988
Gilbert
Category 4
132 mph
205 km
1983
Barry
Category 1
81 mph
111 km
1980
Allen
Category 5
161 mph
41 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
132 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 39 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Mar 15, 1983
EF3
43 km
6.1 mi
0
May 12, 1969
EF3
45 km
0.1 mi
0
May 12, 1969
EF3
32 km
0.1 mi
0
Apr 19, 1965
EF3
56 km
1.5 mi
0
May 5, 1991
EF2
54 km
1.0 mi
0
Aug 9, 1980
EF2
57 km
4.6 mi
0
May 24, 1970
EF2
32 km
25.5 mi
0
May 12, 1969
EF2
69 km
0.1 mi
0
Apr 26, 1967
EF2
49 km
40.2 mi
0
Jun 1, 1962
EF2
29 km
1.0 mi
0
Jan 26, 1950
EF2
66 km
4.7 mi
0
May 13, 2023
EF1
77 km
0.5 mi
1
Oct 30, 2015
EF1
33 km
0.7 mi
0
Jun 30, 2011
EF1
28 km
0.4 mi
0
Jul 16, 2007
EF1
26 km
1.0 mi
0
Apr 30, 2003
EF1
46 km
0.3 mi
0
May 21, 2001
EF1
34 km
0.2 mi
0
May 21, 2001
EF1
34 km
0.1 mi
0
Apr 4, 1997
EF1
64 km
0.5 mi
0
Jun 14, 1994
EF1
45 km
0.5 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: BURNS RANCH FIRE (58,395 acres, 2008).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2008
BURNS RANCH FIRE
58,395
51 km
2022
HAYFIELD SOUTH
11,038
59 km
2021
KING
9,793
67 km
2022
VIB
7,817
70 km
2017
HOPPER
7,150
91 km
2018
TRUST
6,648
94 km
2022
BLANKET
5,823
91 km
2022
POLO
5,571
64 km
2008
ENCINO
3,979
67 km
2021
NORTH JONES
3,541
90 km
2008
UNNAMED
3,389
91 km
2021
BAFFIN
3,223
97 km
2011
KING RANCH
3,075
53 km
2008
JONES RANCH
2,998
92 km
2009
HOPPER
2,929
90 km
2009
SAN CARLOS
2,849
70 km
2021
JONES
2,178
85 km
2010
ENCINITOS RANCH
1,967
64 km
2022
755
1,846
70 km
2011
ENCINITOS
1,748
63 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
60°F (16°C)
1.5 in
Coldest
February
62°F (17°C)
1.5 in
March
69°F (21°C)
0.7 in
Driest
April
75°F (24°C)
1.4 in
May
79°F (26°C)
3.0 in
June
83°F (28°C)
2.9 in
July
86°F (30°C)
2.1 in
Warmest
August
85°F (29°C)
2.5 in
September
82°F (28°C)
5.0 in
Wettest
October
75°F (24°C)
2.3 in
November
67°F (20°C)
1.3 in
December
61°F (16°C)
1.3 in
Elsa has a seasonal temperature swing of 26°F / from 60°F in January to 86°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 25.4 inches, with September being the wettest month (5.0") and March the driest (0.7").