Weather & Climate in Highlands, TX

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Highlands has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 71°F (21°C). Winters average 54°F in January while summers reach 85°F in July. The area gets 314 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 54.1 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42. The city sits at an elevation of 33 feet.

Temperature

54°F Jan (12°C) 85°F Jul (29°C)

Annual Average	70.6°F
	31% above US avg
January Average	54°F (12°C)
July Average	85°F (29°C)
Sunny Days	314 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	33 ft (10 m)
Area	6.5 sq mi (16.9 km²)
Population Density	1,504/sq mi
Coordinates	29.8129°N, 95.0578°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Harris County County
Nearest Airport	William P Hobby (HOU) 18 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 54.1"

42% above US avg

Snowfall 0.0"

Wettest Month (Jun) 6.14"

Driest Month (Mar) 2.87"

Air Quality

AQI Median	42.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very High
Risk Score	99.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability	67.9 / 100
Community Resilience	17.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very High
Hurricane	Very High
Earthquake	Relatively Moderate
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Very High
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Very High
Heat Wave	Very High
Winter Weather	Relatively High
Lightning	Very High
Ice Storm	Very High
Drought	Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave	Very High
Landslide	Relatively Moderate
Coastal Flood	Relatively High

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Hurricane History

17 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	108 km
2021	Nicholas	Category 1	75 mph	129 km
2020	Laura	Category 4	150 mph	170 km
2020	Delta	Category 3	115 mph	170 km
2019	Barry	Category 1	75 mph	277 km
2017	Harvey	Category 4	132 mph	250 km
2008	Ike	Category 2	109 mph	20 km
2007	Humberto	Category 1	92 mph	73 km
2005	Rita	Category 3	127 mph	120 km
2003	Claudette	Category 1	92 mph	174 km
2002	Lili	Category 1	92 mph	267 km
1989	Jerry	Category 1	86 mph	68 km
1989	Chantal	Category 1	81 mph	68 km
1986	Bonnie	Category 1	86 mph	74 km
1985	Juan	Category 1	86 mph	207 km
1985	Danny	Category 1	92 mph	228 km
1983	Alicia	Category 3	115 mph	45 km

Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

780 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 28 fatalities, 785 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Nov 21, 1992	EF4	23 km	30.0 mi	0
Sep 12, 1961	EF4	61 km	1.0 mi	8
Dec 28, 2024	EF3	39 km	67.9 mi	0
Dec 28, 2024	EF3	46 km	10.3 mi	0
Jan 24, 2023	EF3	30 km	23.3 mi	0
Mar 30, 2002	EF3	22 km	0.7 mi	0
Jan 1, 1999	EF3	62 km	5.5 mi	0
Nov 21, 1992	EF3	23 km	32.0 mi	0
Feb 5, 1986	EF3	53 km	5.0 mi	2
Jan 31, 1983	EF3	90 km	1.0 mi	0
Dec 13, 1977	EF3	22 km	25.1 mi	1
Mar 8, 1976	EF3	61 km	12.7 mi	0
Oct 28, 1974	EF3	70 km	9.6 mi	1
Oct 28, 1974	EF3	13 km	3.3 mi	1
Sep 13, 1974	EF3	72 km	3.6 mi	0
Sep 8, 1969	EF3	20 km	0.8 mi	0
May 27, 1969	EF3	35 km	1.5 mi	3
Mar 23, 1969	EF3	73 km	0.5 mi	0
Dec 12, 1968	EF3	67 km	6.2 mi	0
Aug 18, 1967	EF3	46 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: RILEY ROAD (18,999 acres, 2011).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2011	RILEY ROAD	18,999	88 km
2007	08 UNIT 1 RX	16,981	80 km
2010	MCR UNIT 2 RX	14,471	86 km
2000	E WHITES 2	13,996	84 km
2012	WF HOLIDAY 1-2	13,251	85 km
2005	RX UNIT 12 1117 2005	10,728	85 km
1997	WILD COW BAY	10,069	96 km
2020	TXMCR-FY20-RX-W	10,033	94 km
2023	H AND H COMPLEX	9,476	94 km
1992	UNNAMED	9,344	86 km
2003	UNIT 8 WILDFIRE	9,076	96 km
1986	STAR LAKE	8,876	85 km
2015	WF UNIT 1 1/2	8,840	84 km
1997	GRIT ROAD	8,599	94 km
1989	UNNAMED	8,539	77 km
1994	UNIT1ARSON	8,287	81 km
1997	MCF WEST	7,786	86 km
1993	UNNAMED	7,714	77 km
2017	WF PERKINS BLOWOUT	7,646	85 km
1990	PERKINS	6,969	92 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	54°F (12°C)	3.9 in	Coldest
February	56°F (13°C)	3.1 in
March	63°F (17°C)	2.9 in	Driest
April	69°F (20°C)	3.2 in
May	76°F (24°C)	4.8 in
June	81°F (27°C)	6.1 in	Wettest
July	85°F (29°C)	4.4 in	Warmest
August	83°F (28°C)	3.9 in
September	79°F (26°C)	5.8 in
October	71°F (22°C)	4.2 in
November	62°F (17°C)	4.5 in
December	55°F (13°C)	3.9 in

Highlands has a seasonal temperature swing of 31°F / from 54°F in January to 85°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 50.6 inches, with June being the wettest month (6.1") and March the driest (2.9").

View full profile of Highlands, TX →