Weather & Climate in Marathon, TX

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

Marathon enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (16°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 77°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 12.6 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 4,140 feet.

Temperature

44°F Jan (7°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)

Annual Average	61.5°F
	14% above US avg
January Average	44°F (7°C)
July Average	77°F (25°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	4,140 ft (1,262 m)
Area	5.3 sq mi (13.6 km²)
Population Density	52/sq mi
Coordinates	30.2209°N, 103.2366°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Brewster County County
Nearest Airport	Midland International Air And Space Port (MAF) 134 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 12.6"

67% below US avg

Snowfall 0.3"

Wettest Month (Sep) 3.23"

Driest Month (Mar) 0.31"

Air Quality

AQI Median	42.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	21.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability	52.1 / 100
Community Resilience	23.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

239 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	13 km	18 km
May 14, 2015	84 km S of Sanderson, Texas	M4.0	113 km	16 km
Apr 15, 1995	10 km NW of Marathon, Texas	M4.0	10 km	10 km
Aug 5, 2023	10 km E of Study Butte, Texas	M3.7	101 km	0 km
Aug 26, 2017	50 km NNW of Ojinaga, Mexico	M3.7	145 km	5 km
Nov 12, 1995	14 km NW of Marathon, Texas	M3.6	14 km	10 km
Jun 18, 2019	13 km ESE of Redford, Texas	M3.6	119 km	5 km
Sep 6, 2016	22 km WSW of Coyanosa, Texas	M3.6	108 km	2 km
Jan 24, 2012	17 km NW of Marathon, Texas	M3.6	18 km	5 km
Apr 15, 1998	5 km WSW of Marathon, Texas	M3.6	7 km	10 km
Jun 1, 1995	14 km NW of Marathon, Texas	M3.5	14 km	10 km
Jan 30, 2020	western Texas	M3.4	100 km	5 km
May 24, 2021	37 km E of Balmorhea, Texas	M3.3	82 km	5 km
Feb 17, 2011	11 km SSW of Marathon, Texas	M3.3	14 km	5 km
Oct 22, 2017	26 km WSW of Coyanosa, Texas	M3.3	107 km	5 km
Apr 4, 2015	19 km WSW of Coyanosa, Texas	M3.3	104 km	5 km
Jun 16, 2016	19 km SW of Coyanosa, Texas	M3.3	102 km	2 km
Feb 20, 2016	25 km W of Coyanosa, Texas	M3.3	112 km	3 km
Apr 4, 2020	28 km ESE of Balmorhea, Texas	M3.3	75 km	5 km
Apr 14, 1995	14 km NW of Marathon, Texas	M3.3	14 km	10 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

94 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 30 fatalities, 122 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 22, 1987	EF4	97 km	3.0 mi	30
Jun 2, 2024	EF3	79 km	0.9 mi	0
May 4, 1961	EF3	90 km	1.1 mi	0
May 4, 2024	EF2	69 km	6.4 mi	0
Apr 21, 2011	EF2	76 km	7.8 mi	0
May 23, 2010	EF2	90 km	4.0 mi	0
Apr 15, 1990	EF2	85 km	3.5 mi	0
Aug 10, 1965	EF2	81 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 9, 1962	EF2	60 km	0.2 mi	0
May 16, 1961	EF2	83 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 21, 1960	EF2	73 km	0.3 mi	0
Apr 21, 1954	EF2	96 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 2, 2024	EF1	81 km	0.4 mi	0
Jun 2, 2023	EF1	91 km	2.3 mi	0
Jul 29, 1999	EF1	82 km	1.5 mi	0
Jun 1, 1992	EF1	69 km	8.0 mi	0
May 24, 1992	EF1	56 km	2.6 mi	0
Jun 6, 1989	EF1	75 km	4.0 mi	0
May 11, 1989	EF1	74 km	1.5 mi	0
Jun 30, 1988	EF1	88 km	0.4 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ROCK HOUSE (299,170 acres, 2011).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2011	ROCK HOUSE	299,170	81 km
2011	IRON MOUNTAIN	85,016	27 km
2008	HUCKABEE	84,897	99 km
2011	SCHWARTZ FIRE	80,788	41 km
2008	PORTER	47,570	97 km
2008	HUGHES RANCH	42,410	91 km
2000	UNNAMED	33,784	29 km
2011	ROPER	28,699	38 km
1989	UNNAMED	24,743	18 km
2008	CATHEDRAL	19,342	17 km
2011	TEJANO CANYON	11,759	97 km
2009	ELEPHANT MOUNTAIN	10,650	46 km
2009	JEFF DAVIS COMPLEX (LAST CHANCE MESA)	8,661	63 km
1989	UNNAMED	8,234	27 km
2011	MIND	8,020	40 km
2008	ROCKING JBH	7,004	21 km
1987	UNNAMED	6,788	76 km
1988	UNNAMED	6,684	90 km
2011	GAGE HOLLAND FIRE	6,300	51 km
2020	LONGFELLOW NINE MILE COMPLEX	5,780	60 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	48°F (9°C)	0.5 in
March	54°F (12°C)	0.3 in	Driest
April	61°F (16°C)	0.6 in
May	68°F (20°C)	1.6 in
June	75°F (24°C)	2.1 in
July	77°F (25°C)	2.4 in	Warmest
August	75°F (24°C)	2.6 in
September	71°F (22°C)	3.2 in	Wettest
October	63°F (17°C)	1.7 in
November	54°F (12°C)	0.6 in
December	48°F (9°C)	0.6 in

Marathon has a seasonal temperature swing of 33°F / from 44°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.4 inches, with September being the wettest month (3.2") and March the driest (0.3").

View full profile of Marathon, TX →