Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Iola enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 69°F (21°C). Winters average 52°F in January while summers reach 85°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 41.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42. The city sits at an elevation of 339 feet.
Temperature
52°F Jan (11°C)85°F Jul (30°C)
Annual Average
69.4°F
29% above US avg
January Average
52°F (11°C)
July Average
85°F (30°C)
Sunny Days
301 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
339 ft (103 m)
Area
1.0 sq mi (2.7 km²)
Population Density
278/sq mi
Coordinates
30.7726°N, 96.0776°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Brazos County County
Nearest Airport
Conroe/North Houston Regional (CXO) 49 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall41.8"
10% above US avg
Wettest Month (May)4.92"
Driest Month (Jul)2.32"
Air Quality
AQI Median
42.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Moderate
Risk Score
88.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability
59.9 / 100
Community Resilience
48.9 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively High
Hurricane
Relatively Moderate
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Moderate
Hail
Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind
Relatively High
Heat Wave
Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather
Relatively High
Lightning
Very High
Ice Storm
Relatively High
Drought
Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave
Relatively High
Landslide
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
2 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M3.5.
Mar 29, 2025
13 km NNE of Wells, Texas
M3.5
147 km
7 km
Apr 2, 2024
4 km SSW of Round Top, Texas
M2.5
103 km
17 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
164 km
2021
Nicholas
Category 1
75 mph
222 km
2020
Laura
Category 4
150 mph
258 km
2017
Harvey
Category 3
121 mph
259 km
2008
Ike
Category 2
109 mph
78 km
2007
Humberto
Category 1
92 mph
215 km
2005
Rita
Category 3
121 mph
192 km
2003
Claudette
Category 1
92 mph
254 km
1989
Chantal
Category 1
81 mph
207 km
1989
Jerry
Category 1
86 mph
203 km
1986
Bonnie
Category 1
86 mph
196 km
1983
Alicia
Category 3
115 mph
132 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
381 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 26 fatalities, 312 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Dec 28, 2024
EF3
100 km
10.3 mi
0
Apr 22, 2020
EF3
86 km
28.5 mi
3
Apr 13, 2019
EF3
61 km
32.5 mi
0
Dec 25, 2012
EF3
84 km
9.7 mi
0
Mar 10, 2000
EF3
70 km
21.0 mi
0
Nov 15, 1987
EF3
99 km
10.5 mi
1
Feb 5, 1986
EF3
97 km
5.0 mi
2
Dec 12, 1968
EF3
80 km
6.2 mi
0
Sep 22, 1965
EF3
70 km
0.8 mi
0
May 10, 1959
EF3
50 km
15.8 mi
0
Oct 14, 1957
EF3
73 km
1.0 mi
0
Mar 20, 1957
EF3
91 km
7.2 mi
0
Mar 20, 1957
EF3
95 km
16.9 mi
0
Apr 5, 1956
EF3
30 km
5.2 mi
0
Dec 2, 1953
EF3
91 km
3.3 mi
0
May 16, 1953
EF3
70 km
5.2 mi
1
Jun 5, 1950
EF3
73 km
23.9 mi
0
Mar 21, 2022
EF2
56 km
19.1 mi
1
Apr 24, 2019
EF2
23 km
1.7 mi
0
Apr 13, 2019
EF2
59 km
6.0 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
64 km
2021
UNNAMED
7,272
97 km
2019
UNNAMED
6,349
42 km
2010
RX BURN COMPARTMENT 86-87
5,501
79 km
2017
UNNAMED
5,187
98 km
2011
DYER MILL
5,170
55 km
2013
UNNAMED
5,033
54 km
2011
841 ARBOR
4,966
90 km
2019
UNNAMED
4,767
96 km
2020
C-38/39/40
4,708
54 km
2011
S839 CONCORD ROBBINS
4,388
51 km
2013
UNNAMED
4,218
42 km
2017
UNNAMED
4,195
54 km
2022
UNNAMED
4,072
79 km
2016
UNNAMED
4,014
55 km
2020
BIGWOODS C81/86
3,979
79 km
2022
UNNAMED
3,972
55 km
2010
RX BURN C 36 39
3,832
55 km
2022
UNNAMED
3,796
66 km
2022
UNNAMED
3,503
95 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
52°F (11°C)
3.2 in
Coldest
February
53°F (12°C)
2.8 in
March
60°F (16°C)
2.9 in
April
67°F (19°C)
3.5 in
May
74°F (23°C)
4.9 in
Wettest
June
80°F (27°C)
3.7 in
July
85°F (30°C)
2.3 in
Warmest, Driest
August
84°F (29°C)
2.6 in
September
79°F (26°C)
4.8 in
October
69°F (21°C)
3.9 in
November
59°F (15°C)
3.4 in
December
52°F (11°C)
3.2 in
Iola has a seasonal temperature swing of 34°F / from 52°F in January to 85°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 41.3 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.9") and July the driest (2.3").