Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
McAllen has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 77°F (25°C). Winters average 67°F in January while summers reach 88°F in July. The area gets 313 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 23.8 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 125 feet.
Temperature
67°F Jan (20°C)88°F Jul (31°C)
Annual Average
76.8°F
42% above US avg
January Average
67°F (20°C)
July Average
88°F (31°C)
Sunny Days
313 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
125 ft (38 m)
Area
48.7 sq mi (126.0 km²)
Population Density
2,305/sq mi
Coordinates
26.2250°N, 98.2461°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Hidalgo County County
Nearest Airport
Mc Allen International (MFE) 3 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall23.8"
37% below US avg
Snowfall0.0"
Wettest Month (Sep)3.98"
Driest Month (Mar)0.63"
Air Quality
AQI Median
42.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively High
Risk Score
99.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability
92.7 / 100
Community Resilience
0.9 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively High
Hurricane
Very High
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Relatively Low
Flood
Relatively High
Hail
Very High
Strong Wind
Relatively High
Heat Wave
Relatively High
Winter Weather
Relatively High
Lightning
Relatively High
Ice Storm
Very High
Drought
Relatively High
Cold Wave
Very High
Landslide
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
9 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M4.1.
Jan 19, 2014
12 km SSW of China, Mexico
M4.1
126 km
12 km
Feb 11, 2014
31 km SSE of China, Mexico
M4.0
125 km
41 km
Mar 4, 2014
27 km SE of Los Ramones, Mexico
M4.0
144 km
5 km
Nov 25, 2013
23 km SE of Los Ramones, Mexico
M4.0
147 km
10 km
Mar 2, 2014
15 km SW of China, Mexico
M4.0
130 km
8 km
Nov 30, 2013
26 km SE of Los Ramones, Mexico
M3.9
146 km
2 km
Mar 5, 2014
18 km SSW of China, Mexico
M3.9
128 km
10 km
Nov 26, 2013
22 km S of China, Mexico
M3.6
128 km
37 km
Aug 30, 2016
11 km N of Los Ramones, Mexico
M3.6
148 km
38 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
13 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
293 km
2021
Nicholas
Category 1
75 mph
283 km
2020
Hanna
Category 1
92 mph
48 km
2017
Harvey
Category 4
132 mph
216 km
2010
Alex
Category 2
109 mph
228 km
2008
Dolly
Category 2
98 mph
54 km
2005
Emily
Category 3
127 mph
144 km
2003
Claudette
Category 1
92 mph
296 km
2003
Erika
Category 1
75 mph
131 km
1999
Bret
Category 4
144 mph
93 km
1988
Gilbert
Category 4
132 mph
189 km
1983
Barry
Category 1
81 mph
118 km
1980
Allen
Category 5
161 mph
55 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
121 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 39 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Mar 15, 1983
EF3
21 km
6.1 mi
0
May 12, 1969
EF3
66 km
0.1 mi
0
May 12, 1969
EF3
57 km
0.1 mi
0
Apr 19, 1965
EF3
54 km
1.5 mi
0
May 5, 1991
EF2
40 km
1.0 mi
0
Aug 9, 1980
EF2
75 km
4.6 mi
0
May 24, 1970
EF2
56 km
25.5 mi
0
May 12, 1969
EF2
86 km
0.1 mi
0
Apr 26, 1967
EF2
23 km
40.2 mi
0
Jun 1, 1962
EF2
54 km
1.0 mi
0
Jan 26, 1950
EF2
74 km
4.7 mi
0
May 13, 2023
EF1
100 km
0.5 mi
1
Oct 30, 2015
EF1
59 km
0.7 mi
0
Jun 30, 2011
EF1
13 km
0.4 mi
0
Jul 16, 2007
EF1
3 km
1.0 mi
0
Apr 30, 2003
EF1
20 km
0.3 mi
0
May 21, 2001
EF1
7 km
0.2 mi
0
May 21, 2001
EF1
8 km
0.1 mi
0
Apr 4, 1997
EF1
83 km
0.5 mi
0
Jun 14, 1994
EF1
32 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: BURNS RANCH FIRE (58,395 acres, 2008).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2008
BURNS RANCH FIRE
58,395
53 km
2022
HAYFIELD SOUTH
11,038
82 km
2021
KING
9,793
77 km
2022
VIB
7,817
80 km
2017
HOPPER
7,150
94 km
2022
BLANKET
5,823
93 km
2022
POLO
5,571
84 km
2008
ENCINO
3,979
75 km
2021
NORTH JONES
3,541
90 km
2008
UNNAMED
3,389
81 km
2011
KING RANCH
3,075
72 km
2008
JONES RANCH
2,998
83 km
2005
2686
2,979
85 km
2009
HOPPER
2,929
92 km
2009
SAN CARLOS
2,849
89 km
2021
JONES
2,178
83 km
2010
ENCINITOS RANCH
1,967
61 km
2022
755
1,846
77 km
2011
ENCINITOS
1,748
62 km
2022
DEER
1,657
92 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
67°F (20°C)
1.3 in
February
63°F (17°C)
1.3 in
March
70°F (21°C)
0.6 in
Driest
April
76°F (24°C)
1.4 in
May
80°F (27°C)
3.0 in
June
84°F (29°C)
2.8 in
July
88°F (31°C)
1.8 in
Warmest
August
86°F (30°C)
2.2 in
September
82°F (28°C)
4.0 in
Wettest
October
76°F (24°C)
2.2 in
November
68°F (20°C)
1.0 in
December
61°F (16°C)
1.1 in
Coldest
McAllen has a seasonal temperature swing of 27°F / from 61°F in December to 88°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 22.7 inches, with September being the wettest month (4.0") and March the driest (0.6").