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Weather & Climate in Merkel, TX
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Merkel enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. The area gets 328 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 26.5 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 1,870 feet.
Temperature
44°F Jan (6°C)
82°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 63.3°F |
| 17% above US avg | |
| January Average | 44°F (6°C) |
| July Average | 82°F (28°C) |
| Sunny Days | 328 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,870 ft (570 m) |
| Area | 2.8 sq mi (7.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 939/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 32.4697°N, 100.0111°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Nolan County County |
| Nearest Airport | Abilene Regional (ABI) 20 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 42.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 37.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 96.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 38.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
251 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.1.
| Jul 26, 2024 | 17 km NNE of Hermleigh, Texas | M5.1 | 69 km | 3 km |
| Jul 23, 2024 | 17 km NNE of Hermleigh, Texas | M4.9 | 69 km | 3 km |
| Feb 16, 2023 | 15 km NE of Hermleigh, Texas | M4.7 | 68 km | 8 km |
| Jul 27, 2024 | 13 km NNE of Hermleigh, Texas | M4.5 | 71 km | 3 km |
| Jul 23, 2024 | 16 km NNE of Hermleigh, Texas | M4.4 | 71 km | 3 km |
| Sep 11, 2011 | 20 km NE of Snyder, Texas | M4.3 | 83 km | 5 km |
| Jul 25, 2024 | 16 km NNE of Hermleigh, Texas | M4.0 | 71 km | 3 km |
| Jun 6, 2022 | 18 km SE of Ackerly, Texas | M3.9 | 148 km | 7 km |
| Sep 22, 2023 | 8 km NE of Hermleigh, Texas | M3.9 | 68 km | 7 km |
| Jul 30, 2024 | 15 km NE of Hermleigh, Texas | M3.8 | 67 km | 8 km |
| Aug 17, 2022 | 17 km NNE of Hermleigh, Texas | M3.8 | 69 km | 6 km |
| Mar 13, 2011 | 32 km WNW of Rotan, Texas | M3.8 | 92 km | 5 km |
| Jul 20, 2025 | 14 km NE of Hermleigh, Texas | M3.7 | 68 km | 6 km |
| Aug 14, 2024 | 16 km NNE of Hermleigh, Texas | M3.6 | 73 km | 4 km |
| Jul 19, 2024 | 6 km WSW of Westbrook, Texas | M3.6 | 101 km | 9 km |
| Oct 2, 2023 | 16 km NE of Hermleigh, Texas | M3.6 | 68 km | 4 km |
| Jan 10, 2016 | 25 km NNE of Snyder, Texas | M3.6 | 93 km | 3 km |
| Feb 3, 2023 | 16 km NE of Hermleigh, Texas | M3.5 | 68 km | 8 km |
| Jan 17, 2016 | 17 km NNE of Snyder, Texas | M3.5 | 91 km | 2 km |
| Sep 12, 2011 | 12 km NNE of Snyder, Texas | M3.5 | 90 km | 8 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
584 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 29 fatalities, 220 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 26, 1962 | EF4 | 81 km | 10.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 13, 1953 | EF4 | 90 km | 13.9 mi | 17 |
| Apr 28, 1950 | EF4 | 48 km | 1.3 mi | 5 |
| May 3, 2024 | EF3 | 84 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 2024 | EF3 | 22 km | 3.3 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 2019 | EF3 | 74 km | 5.8 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 2019 | EF3 | 78 km | 7.8 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 2015 | EF3 | 96 km | 3.8 mi | 1 |
| May 29, 1994 | EF3 | 87 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 24, 1991 | EF3 | 79 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| May 14, 1990 | EF3 | 47 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1986 | EF3 | 39 km | 4.5 mi | 1 |
| Mar 14, 1982 | EF3 | 68 km | 40.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 30, 1979 | EF3 | 98 km | 18.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 10, 1979 | EF3 | 89 km | 25.0 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 1976 | EF3 | 34 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 25, 1976 | EF3 | 33 km | 20.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 1976 | EF3 | 50 km | 9.9 mi | 0 |
| May 13, 1975 | EF3 | 90 km | 0.1 mi | 2 |
| May 24, 1968 | EF3 | 73 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BIG COUNTRY FIRE (209,352 acres, 1988).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1988 | BIG COUNTRY FIRE | 209,352 | 64 km |
| 2011 | COOPER MOUNTAIN RANCH | 157,855 | 78 km |
| 2011 | WILDCAT | 150,157 | 93 km |
| 2011 | WHITE HAT | 71,857 | 53 km |
| 2011 | DOS AMIGOS | 18,960 | 89 km |
| 2021 | BUCK | 18,671 | 81 km |
| 2008 | SILVER | 18,094 | 81 km |
| 2022 | SMOKE STACK LIGHTNING | 14,602 | 78 km |
| 2011 | 611 GAS PLANT | 14,430 | 56 km |
| 2012 | WILDCAT | 14,034 | 92 km |
| 2009 | BLACK | 11,356 | 92 km |
| 2022 | MESQUITE HEAT | 10,807 | 21 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 10,804 | 92 km |
| 1997 | THROCKMORTON | 10,339 | 94 km |
| 2011 | ROCK CREEK | 10,128 | 88 km |
| 2003 | JOHNSON RANCH | 9,696 | 87 km |
| 2022 | CREWS GAP | 8,134 | 73 km |
| 2022 | WHEAT FIELD | 7,333 | 96 km |
| 1993 | UNNAMED | 6,936 | 70 km |
| 2011 | SHEPERDS COMPLEX | 6,496 | 96 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 44°F (6°C) | 0.9 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 48°F (9°C) | 1.1 in | |
| March | 56°F (13°C) | 1.3 in | |
| April | 64°F (18°C) | 2.0 in | |
| May | 72°F (22°C) | 3.0 in | |
| June | 79°F (26°C) | 2.7 in | |
| July | 82°F (28°C) | 2.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 82°F (28°C) | 2.6 in | |
| September | 75°F (24°C) | 3.8 in | Wettest |
| October | 65°F (19°C) | 2.4 in | |
| November | 54°F (12°C) | 1.3 in | |
| December | 46°F (8°C) | 1.0 in |
Merkel has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 44°F in January to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 24.3 inches, with September being the wettest month (3.8") and January the driest (0.9").