Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Palestine enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 66°F (19°C). Winters average 47°F in January while summers reach 83°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 46.8 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42. The city sits at an elevation of 513 feet.
Temperature
47°F Jan (8°C)83°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average
65.6°F
21% above US avg
January Average
47°F (8°C)
July Average
83°F (28°C)
Sunny Days
301 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
513 ft (156 m)
Area
19.5 sq mi (50.4 km²)
Population Density
971/sq mi
Coordinates
31.7545°N, 95.6470°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Anderson County County
Nearest Airport
Tyler Pounds Regional (TYR) 44 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall46.8"
23% above US avg
Snowfall0.1"
Wettest Month (May)4.65"
Driest Month (Aug)2.24"
Air Quality
AQI Median
42.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
73.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability
80.1 / 100
Community Resilience
32.3 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively High
Hurricane
Relatively Low
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Relatively Low
Flood
Relatively Low
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively High
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Moderate
Lightning
Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm
Relatively High
Drought
Relatively Low
Cold Wave
Relatively Moderate
Landslide
Relatively Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
26 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M4.8.
May 17, 2012
3 km NE of Timpson, Texas
M4.8
122 km
5 km
Sep 2, 2013
3 km WNW of Timpson, Texas
M4.3
116 km
5 km
Sep 2, 2013
14 km WNW of Timpson, Texas
M4.2
108 km
5 km
Jan 25, 2013
11 km SE of Timpson, Texas
M4.1
128 km
5 km
May 10, 2012
9 km NW of Timpson, Texas
M3.9
114 km
7 km
Mar 29, 2025
13 km NNE of Wells, Texas
M3.5
76 km
7 km
Jan 20, 2019
7 km SSW of San Augustine, Texas
M3.3
147 km
5 km
Apr 2, 2024
5 km WSW of Chireno, Texas
M3.0
122 km
8 km
Dec 5, 2009
7 km S of Midlothian, Texas
M2.9
147 km
5 km
May 31, 2013
7 km SE of Timpson, Texas
M2.9
125 km
5 km
Jan 29, 2013
4 km S of Timpson, Texas
M2.8
120 km
5 km
Dec 7, 2012
3 km S of Timpson, Texas
M2.8
119 km
5 km
Jan 31, 2013
7 km WNW of Timpson, Texas
M2.8
113 km
5 km
May 20, 2012
5 km W of Timpson, Texas
M2.7
114 km
5 km
Feb 24, 2013
6 km SSW of Oak Leaf, Texas
M2.7
140 km
5 km
Jun 12, 2011
4 km NNW of Plum Grove, Texas
M2.7
139 km
5 km
Mar 17, 2013
3 km S of Oak Leaf, Texas
M2.6
140 km
2 km
Jul 27, 2019
6 km SSW of Timpson, Texas
M2.6
116 km
5 km
Dec 22, 2012
1 km W of Timpson, Texas
M2.6
118 km
5 km
Feb 24, 2013
2 km W of Ovilla, Texas
M2.6
147 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
9 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980.
Strongest on record: Category 3.
Year
Name
Category
Max Wind
Closest
2024
Beryl
Category 1
81 mph
275 km
2020
Laura
Category 4
150 mph
231 km
2008
Ike
Category 2
109 mph
90 km
2007
Humberto
Category 1
92 mph
253 km
2005
Rita
Category 3
115 mph
203 km
1989
Chantal
Category 1
81 mph
268 km
1989
Jerry
Category 1
86 mph
291 km
1986
Bonnie
Category 1
86 mph
243 km
1983
Alicia
Category 3
115 mph
229 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
464 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 23 fatalities, 489 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Apr 29, 2017
EF4
66 km
21.4 mi
2
Apr 13, 2019
EF3
51 km
41.1 mi
2
Apr 29, 2017
EF3
75 km
39.7 mi
2
May 10, 2015
EF3
73 km
10.2 mi
2
Dec 25, 2012
EF3
73 km
9.7 mi
0
Apr 6, 2003
EF3
59 km
38.2 mi
0
Apr 26, 1991
EF3
46 km
3.0 mi
0
Apr 27, 1990
EF3
83 km
4.0 mi
0
Jan 19, 1990
EF3
89 km
13.0 mi
0
Nov 15, 1987
EF3
31 km
33.0 mi
4
Nov 15, 1987
EF3
18 km
10.5 mi
1
Oct 13, 1981
EF3
52 km
7.2 mi
0
May 9, 1981
EF3
32 km
15.0 mi
0
Feb 23, 1979
EF3
46 km
10.3 mi
0
Oct 31, 1974
EF3
16 km
2.0 mi
0
Mar 20, 1974
EF3
90 km
0.1 mi
0
Jun 3, 1973
EF3
45 km
0.1 mi
0
Apr 15, 1973
EF3
86 km
3.8 mi
0
Mar 3, 1970
EF3
87 km
0.5 mi
0
Feb 11, 1965
EF3
93 km
42.7 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: 502 (8,344 acres, 2011).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2011
502
8,344
65 km
2021
UNNAMED
7,272
64 km
2010
C 32 WFHF
6,451
97 km
2017
UNNAMED
5,187
66 km
2011
841 ARBOR
4,966
59 km
2019
UNNAMED
4,767
65 km
2020
C-16/17/18/19
4,633
52 km
2011
S839 CONCORD ROBBINS
4,388
76 km
2016
UNNAMED
4,363
55 km
2021
UNNAMED
4,215
74 km
2010
COMPARTMENT 6 RX
4,123
49 km
2019
UNNAMED
3,929
55 km
2010
COMPARTMENT 43 RX
3,719
76 km
2022
UNNAMED
3,651
96 km
2022
UNNAMED
3,503
87 km
2022
DCNF C-54/55
3,360
72 km
2010
COMPARTMENT 29 RX
3,346
77 km
2010
BURNING
3,230
52 km
2017
UNNAMED
3,208
81 km
2021
C-40/42
3,157
61 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
47°F (8°C)
3.1 in
Coldest
February
50°F (10°C)
3.1 in
March
58°F (14°C)
3.8 in
April
64°F (18°C)
3.9 in
May
72°F (22°C)
4.7 in
Wettest
June
78°F (26°C)
4.1 in
July
83°F (28°C)
2.4 in
Warmest
August
82°F (28°C)
2.2 in
Driest
September
78°F (25°C)
3.7 in
October
68°F (20°C)
4.2 in
November
57°F (14°C)
3.8 in
December
50°F (10°C)
3.5 in
Palestine has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 47°F in January to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 42.5 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.7") and August the driest (2.2").