Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Imperial enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 84°F in July. The area gets 330 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 13.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.4 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42. The city sits at an elevation of 2,393 feet.
Temperature
44°F Jan (7°C)84°F Jul (29°C)
Annual Average
65.0°F
20% above US avg
January Average
44°F (7°C)
July Average
84°F (29°C)
Sunny Days
330 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
2,393 ft (729 m)
Area
4.2 sq mi (10.9 km²)
Population Density
65/sq mi
Coordinates
31.2668°N, 102.6947°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Crane County County
Nearest Airport
Midland International Air And Space Port (MAF) 55 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall13.7"
64% below US avg
Snowfall1.4"
Wettest Month (Sep)2.36"
Driest Month (Mar)0.31"
Air Quality
AQI Median
42.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Very Low
Risk Score
1.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability
80.3 / 100
Community Resilience
7.0 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Very Low
Hurricane
Very Low
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Very Low
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Low
Heat Wave
Very Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Low
Lightning
Very Low
Ice Storm
Very Low
Drought
Very Low
Cold Wave
Very Low
Landslide
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1,093 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M5.7.
Apr 14, 1995
13 km NW of Marathon, Texas
M5.7
126 km
18 km
Sep 17, 2024
2024 North of Tarzan, Texas Earthquake
M5.1
141 km
6 km
Feb 15, 2025
53 km NW of Toyah, Texas
M5.0
148 km
6 km
Mar 26, 2020
41 km W of Mentone, Texas
M5.0
137 km
10 km
Feb 28, 2025
26 km SW of Ackerly, Texas
M4.8
143 km
7 km
Jan 2, 1992
12 km SSE of Eunice, New Mexico
M4.6
125 km
5 km
Apr 10, 2024
21 km N of Stanton, Texas
M4.4
143 km
5 km
Sep 1, 2022
38 km WSW of Mentone, Texas
M4.4
129 km
7 km
Jun 1, 2022
western Texas
M4.3
128 km
10 km
Feb 28, 2023
37 km NNW of Toyah, Texas
M4.1
129 km
8 km
May 28, 2024
55 km NW of Toyah, Texas
M4.1
149 km
6 km
Sep 2, 2022
36 km NNW of Toyah, Texas
M4.1
129 km
6 km
Jul 19, 2021
37 km ESE of Malaga, New Mexico
M4.0
132 km
8 km
Apr 15, 1995
10 km NW of Marathon, Texas
M4.0
126 km
10 km
Apr 28, 2022
36 km WSW of Mentone, Texas
M4.0
127 km
9 km
Apr 27, 2022
37 km WSW of Mentone, Texas
M4.0
128 km
9 km
Jul 28, 2025
54 km W of Mentone, Texas
M3.9
148 km
6 km
May 28, 2024
55 km NW of Toyah, Texas
M3.9
150 km
8 km
Apr 25, 2024
20 km SW of Jal, New Mexico
M3.9
99 km
8 km
Feb 18, 2020
40 km W of Mentone, Texas
M3.9
136 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
248 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 32 fatalities, 199 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Jun 1, 1990
EF4
39 km
22.0 mi
2
May 22, 1987
EF4
98 km
3.0 mi
30
May 30, 2024
EF3
74 km
5.3 mi
0
May 20, 2019
EF3
64 km
5.8 mi
0
May 14, 2010
EF3
63 km
4.3 mi
0
Apr 19, 1977
EF3
28 km
4.3 mi
0
May 15, 1965
EF3
96 km
1.0 mi
0
May 4, 1961
EF3
88 km
1.1 mi
0
May 30, 2024
EF2
85 km
10.3 mi
0
May 4, 2024
EF2
59 km
6.4 mi
0
May 20, 2019
EF2
83 km
6.6 mi
0
Mar 18, 2012
EF2
91 km
1.0 mi
0
May 23, 2010
EF2
76 km
4.0 mi
0
Apr 15, 1990
EF2
43 km
3.5 mi
0
May 25, 1987
EF2
41 km
11.0 mi
0
Oct 15, 1981
EF2
53 km
1.5 mi
0
Jun 30, 1977
EF2
31 km
0.5 mi
0
Apr 26, 1974
EF2
77 km
0.5 mi
0
May 12, 1973
EF2
74 km
1.0 mi
0
Jun 3, 1969
EF2
89 km
14.9 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: HUCKABEE (84,897 acres, 2008).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2008
HUCKABEE
84,897
74 km
2008
PORTER
47,570
95 km
2000
UNNAMED
33,784
99 km
2011
DHR
21,345
84 km
2011
LITTLE SMOKEY
19,841
96 km
2011
PLEASANT FARMS
15,516
48 km
2011
HICKMAN
14,828
84 km
2008
ELLISON
11,140
14 km
2011
CANNON
10,449
85 km
2020
SMITH CANYON
8,590
87 km
1994
UNNAMED
8,266
86 km
2011
DHI
7,149
65 km
2008
GRAND FALLS
5,851
15 km
2011
CEED FIRE
5,744
92 km
2008
UNNAMED
5,516
29 km
2011
PINON FIRE
4,372
84 km
2009
CRIDER RANCH
4,056
56 km
2008
TUBBS CORNER
3,404
18 km
2011
BATES FIELD FIRE
3,186
72 km
2011
LONGFELLOW
2,937
98 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
44°F (7°C)
0.4 in
Coldest
February
50°F (10°C)
0.6 in
March
57°F (14°C)
0.3 in
Driest
April
65°F (18°C)
0.7 in
May
74°F (23°C)
1.4 in
June
81°F (27°C)
1.3 in
July
84°F (29°C)
1.1 in
Warmest
August
82°F (28°C)
1.4 in
September
77°F (25°C)
2.4 in
Wettest
October
67°F (20°C)
1.4 in
November
56°F (13°C)
0.7 in
December
47°F (8°C)
0.5 in
Imperial has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 44°F in January to 84°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 12.0 inches, with September being the wettest month (2.4") and March the driest (0.3").