Weather & Climate in Panhandle, TX

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

Panhandle enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. The area gets 326 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 21.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 13.6 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42. The city sits at an elevation of 3,456 feet.

Temperature

37°F Jan (3°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)

Annual Average	58.0°F
	7% above US avg
January Average	37°F (3°C)
July Average	80°F (27°C)
Sunny Days	326 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3,456 ft (1,053 m)
Area	2.1 sq mi (5.5 km²)
Population Density	1,233/sq mi
Coordinates	35.3463°N, 101.3805°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Carson County County
Nearest Airport	Rick Husband Amarillo International (AMA) 20 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 21.1"

45% below US avg

Snowfall 13.6"

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.50"

Driest Month (Dec) 0.47"

Air Quality

AQI Median	42.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	25.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	11.4 / 100
Community Resilience	71.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Hurricane	No Rating
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Very Low
Ice Storm	Relatively Low
Drought	Relatively High
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

50 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.3.

Apr 14, 2021	34 km NNE of Skellytown, Texas	M4.3	66 km	8 km
Aug 17, 2000	18 km N of Amarillo, Texas	M3.9	40 km	5 km
Dec 16, 2000	19 km N of Amarillo, Texas	M3.9	39 km	5 km
Aug 9, 2021	4 km N of Wheeler, Texas	M3.5	102 km	7 km
Feb 18, 2006	17 km WNW of Fritch, Texas	M3.5	52 km	5 km
Mar 25, 1996	25 km WSW of Channing, Texas	M3.5	114 km	5 km
Aug 14, 2023	15 km NE of Amarillo, Texas	M3.4	29 km	7 km
Sep 24, 2003	10 km NE of Amarillo, Texas	M3.3	34 km	5 km
Aug 7, 2000	Texas Panhandle region	M3.3	40 km	5 km
Aug 12, 2012	13 km NNE of Bishop Hills, Texas	M3.3	48 km	5 km
Feb 4, 2010	23 km N of Adrian, Texas	M3.3	114 km	2 km
May 10, 2021	13 km W of Channing, Texas	M3.2	106 km	3 km
Apr 27, 1998	14 km SW of Boys Ranch, Texas	M3.2	92 km	5 km
Feb 15, 1997	14 km NE of Hedley, Texas	M3.2	85 km	5 km
Feb 2, 2015	15 km ENE of Amarillo, Texas	M3.1	29 km	4 km
Aug 7, 2000	Texas Panhandle region	M3.0	40 km	5 km
Aug 7, 2000	Texas Panhandle region	M3.0	40 km	5 km
Mar 28, 2006	13 km NNE of Bishop Hills, Texas	M3.0	45 km	5 km
Aug 10, 2000	18 km N of Amarillo, Texas	M3.0	40 km	5 km
Feb 12, 1997	1 km N of Clarendon, Texas	M3.0	63 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

754 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 47 fatalities, 312 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 8, 1995	EF4	72 km	29.0 mi	0
Jun 8, 1995	EF4	37 km	3.0 mi	0
Jun 27, 1992	EF4	49 km	20.0 mi	0
Mar 18, 1982	EF4	81 km	88.0 mi	0
Jun 9, 1971	EF4	86 km	5.9 mi	0
Apr 18, 1970	EF4	79 km	65.0 mi	16
May 15, 1957	EF4	98 km	17.0 mi	21
Nov 16, 2015	EF3	40 km	10.9 mi	0
Nov 16, 2015	EF3	33 km	31.9 mi	0
Mar 28, 2007	EF3	89 km	7.8 mi	1
Mar 28, 2007	EF3	75 km	8.0 mi	0
Mar 28, 2007	EF3	47 km	6.4 mi	0
May 29, 2001	EF3	6 km	10.0 mi	0
Jun 11, 1997	EF3	84 km	9.0 mi	0
Jun 27, 1992	EF3	65 km	5.0 mi	0
May 31, 1990	EF3	96 km	14.0 mi	0
May 25, 1987	EF3	95 km	3.0 mi	0
May 7, 1986	EF3	100 km	7.0 mi	0
May 19, 1982	EF3	38 km	1.5 mi	0
May 19, 1982	EF3	51 km	4.0 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: SMOKEHOUSE CREEK (1,047,464 acres, 2024).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2024	SMOKEHOUSE CREEK	1,047,464	78 km
2006	EAST AMARILLO COMPLEX	593,394	54 km
2024	WINDY DEUCE	145,907	31 km
2018	MALLARD	75,486	53 km
2017	LEFORS EAST	68,701	78 km
2016	CRUTCH	45,052	38 km
2017	RANKIN RANCH ROAD	37,706	80 km
2024	GRAPE VINE CREEK	33,576	54 km
2011	CRAWFORD RANCH	27,493	59 km
2017	DUMAS COMPLEX	26,155	31 km
2022	LITTLE HIGHLINE	24,152	34 km
2021	NORTH 207	24,103	32 km
2011	WILLOW CREEK SOUTH COMPLEX	23,204	29 km
2018	MCCLELLAN	23,051	58 km
2006	FAIN PLANT FIRE	22,485	50 km
2009	MAGIC CITY	18,922	94 km
2011	CANYON	17,425	61 km
2011	SO CLOSE	17,102	33 km
2018	FM 294	15,362	39 km
2006	HARDWICK	15,289	64 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	37°F (3°C)	0.5 in	Coldest
February	40°F (5°C)	0.8 in
March	47°F (9°C)	1.2 in
April	56°F (13°C)	1.3 in
May	65°F (18°C)	2.7 in
June	74°F (23°C)	3.5 in	Wettest
July	80°F (27°C)	2.5 in	Warmest
August	77°F (25°C)	3.0 in
September	69°F (21°C)	2.2 in
October	58°F (15°C)	1.6 in
November	45°F (7°C)	0.8 in
December	37°F (3°C)	0.5 in	Driest

Panhandle has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 37°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 20.5 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.5") and December the driest (0.5").

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