Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Lancaster enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 66°F (19°C). Winters average 47°F in January while summers reach 85°F in July. The area gets 308 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 40.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42. The city sits at an elevation of 538 feet.
Temperature
47°F Jan (8°C)85°F Jul (29°C)
Annual Average
66.0°F
22% above US avg
January Average
47°F (8°C)
July Average
85°F (29°C)
Sunny Days
308 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
538 ft (164 m)
Area
30.4 sq mi (78.6 km²)
Population Density
1,232/sq mi
Coordinates
32.5962°N, 96.7738°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Dallas County County
Nearest Airport
Dallas Love Field (DAL) 18 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall40.9"
8% above US avg
Wettest Month (May)5.04"
Driest Month (Jan)2.01"
Air Quality
AQI Median
42.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Very High
Risk Score
99.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability
59.1 / 100
Community Resilience
13.0 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Very High
Hurricane
Relatively Low
Earthquake
Relatively Moderate
Wildfire
Relatively Low
Flood
Very High
Hail
Very High
Strong Wind
Very High
Heat Wave
Very High
Winter Weather
Very High
Lightning
Very High
Ice Storm
Very High
Drought
Relatively Low
Cold Wave
Very High
Landslide
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
94 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
33 km
3 km
Nov 28, 2013
6 km SSW of Perrin, Texas
M3.7
130 km
5 km
Dec 9, 2013
8 km S of Perrin, Texas
M3.7
127 km
5 km
Nov 20, 2013
1 km NNW of Azle, Texas
M3.6
81 km
5 km
Jan 7, 2015
6 km NE of Irving, Texas
M3.6
30 km
5 km
Dec 8, 2013
0 km NNE of Sanctuary, Texas
M3.6
83 km
5 km
Jan 6, 2015
4 km ENE of Irving, Texas
M3.5
29 km
6 km
Jun 24, 2012
3 km SSE of Briaroaks, Texas
M3.5
50 km
5 km
May 19, 2018
8 km NW of Venus, Texas
M3.4
39 km
5 km
May 31, 1997
3 km ESE of Neylandville, Texas
M3.4
100 km
5 km
Sep 30, 2012
4 km NW of Irving, Texas
M3.4
33 km
5 km
Nov 25, 2013
3 km WNW of Sanctuary, Texas
M3.4
87 km
5 km
May 18, 2015
5 km N of Irving, Texas
M3.3
35 km
5 km
Apr 2, 2015
5 km NNE of Irving, Texas
M3.3
33 km
8 km
May 16, 2009
5 km NNW of Grand Prairie, Texas
M3.3
32 km
9 km
Jun 15, 2012
5 km SSE of Briaroaks, Texas
M3.3
49 km
5 km
Jan 18, 2012
9 km SSE of Godley, Texas
M3.3
71 km
5 km
May 3, 2015
4 km N of Irving, Texas
M3.2
33 km
5 km
May 1, 2024
7 km S of Mansfield, Texas
M3.2
37 km
6 km
Nov 29, 2013
1 km S of Pelican Bay, Texas
M3.1
78 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
1 hurricane (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980.
Strongest on record: Category 2.
Year
Name
Category
Max Wind
Closest
2008
Ike
Category 2
98 mph
226 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
827 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 54 fatalities, 1,664 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Apr 29, 2017
EF4
80 km
21.4 mi
2
Dec 26, 2015
EF4
28 km
13.0 mi
10
May 15, 2013
EF4
94 km
2.5 mi
6
Apr 25, 1994
EF4
2 km
6.0 mi
3
May 26, 1976
EF4
60 km
18.8 mi
0
Mar 31, 1959
EF4
93 km
10.4 mi
6
May 25, 2024
EF3
84 km
0.7 mi
0
Oct 20, 2019
EF3
33 km
15.8 mi
0
Apr 29, 2017
EF3
87 km
39.7 mi
2
Dec 26, 2015
EF3
20 km
8.5 mi
0
May 15, 2013
EF3
78 km
7.8 mi
0
Apr 3, 2012
EF3
33 km
7.7 mi
0
May 9, 2006
EF3
89 km
9.3 mi
3
Apr 16, 2002
EF3
57 km
2.1 mi
0
May 12, 2000
EF3
96 km
7.0 mi
2
Mar 28, 2000
EF3
36 km
8.0 mi
0
Mar 28, 2000
EF3
57 km
4.0 mi
2
Dec 13, 1984
EF3
19 km
10.0 mi
0
Oct 13, 1981
EF3
93 km
7.2 mi
0
May 9, 1981
EF3
73 km
5.2 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
6 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: UNNAMED (2,944 acres, 2008).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2008
UNNAMED
2,944
71 km
2018
FARMERS ROAD
2,383
79 km
1996
UNNAMED
2,067
83 km
2005
200 MOUNTAIN RIDGE
2,051
76 km
1992
UNNAMED
1,854
88 km
2023
DOUBLE BACK
1,275
79 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
47°F (8°C)
2.0 in
Coldest, Driest
February
50°F (10°C)
2.7 in
March
57°F (14°C)
3.0 in
April
65°F (18°C)
3.7 in
May
73°F (23°C)
5.0 in
Wettest
June
80°F (27°C)
3.4 in
July
85°F (29°C)
2.1 in
Warmest
August
84°F (29°C)
2.1 in
September
77°F (25°C)
3.7 in
October
67°F (19°C)
4.0 in
November
56°F (13°C)
2.6 in
December
47°F (9°C)
2.5 in
Lancaster has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 47°F in January to 85°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 36.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.0") and January the driest (2.0").