Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Penelope enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 66°F (19°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 84°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 40.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42. The city sits at an elevation of 547 feet.
Temperature
46°F Jan (8°C)84°F Jul (29°C)
Annual Average
65.9°F
22% above US avg
January Average
46°F (8°C)
July Average
84°F (29°C)
Sunny Days
301 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
547 ft (167 m)
Area
1.0 sq mi (2.6 km²)
Population Density
225/sq mi
Coordinates
31.8545°N, 96.9282°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Limestone County County
Nearest Airport
Waco Regional (ACT) 24 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall40.5"
7% above US avg
Snowfall0.0"
Wettest Month (May)5.04"
Driest Month (Jul)1.85"
Air Quality
AQI Median
42.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
59.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability
92.1 / 100
Community Resilience
18.2 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
Hurricane
Relatively Low
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Relatively Low
Flood
Relatively Low
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Low
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Low
Lightning
Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm
Relatively Moderate
Drought
Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave
Relatively High
Landslide
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
86 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M4.0.
May 7, 2015
5 km N of Venus, Texas
M4.0
72 km
3 km
Dec 8, 2013
0 km NNE of Sanctuary, Texas
M3.6
133 km
5 km
Nov 20, 2013
1 km NNW of Azle, Texas
M3.6
131 km
5 km
Jan 7, 2015
6 km NE of Irving, Texas
M3.6
110 km
5 km
Jan 6, 2015
4 km ENE of Irving, Texas
M3.5
109 km
6 km
Jun 24, 2012
3 km SSE of Briaroaks, Texas
M3.5
77 km
5 km
Nov 25, 2013
3 km WNW of Sanctuary, Texas
M3.4
135 km
5 km
May 19, 2018
8 km NW of Venus, Texas
M3.4
73 km
5 km
Sep 30, 2012
4 km NW of Irving, Texas
M3.4
110 km
5 km
May 18, 2015
5 km N of Irving, Texas
M3.3
113 km
5 km
May 16, 2009
5 km NNW of Grand Prairie, Texas
M3.3
105 km
9 km
Jun 15, 2012
5 km SSE of Briaroaks, Texas
M3.3
75 km
5 km
Apr 2, 2015
5 km NNE of Irving, Texas
M3.3
112 km
8 km
Jan 18, 2012
9 km SSE of Godley, Texas
M3.3
78 km
5 km
May 1, 2024
7 km S of Mansfield, Texas
M3.2
74 km
6 km
May 3, 2015
4 km N of Irving, Texas
M3.2
111 km
5 km
May 1, 2024
7 km SSW of Mansfield, Texas
M3.1
76 km
4 km
Jan 13, 2014
2 km ESE of Reno, Texas
M3.1
134 km
5 km
Feb 27, 2015
4 km ENE of Irving, Texas
M3.1
109 km
8 km
Jan 7, 2015
4 km NE of Irving, Texas
M3.1
110 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
3 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980.
Strongest on record: Category 2.
Year
Name
Category
Max Wind
Closest
2024
Beryl
Category 1
81 mph
298 km
2008
Ike
Category 2
109 mph
181 km
1983
Alicia
Category 2
92 mph
276 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
594 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 145 fatalities, 1,212 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
May 6, 1973
EF5
58 km
10.6 mi
0
May 11, 1953
EF5
40 km
20.9 mi
114
Apr 29, 2017
EF4
97 km
21.4 mi
2
May 15, 2013
EF4
99 km
2.5 mi
6
Apr 25, 1994
EF4
85 km
6.0 mi
3
May 26, 1976
EF4
57 km
18.8 mi
0
Mar 10, 1973
EF4
37 km
23.3 mi
6
Mar 31, 1959
EF4
28 km
10.4 mi
6
Apr 21, 1952
EF4
63 km
2.3 mi
0
Dec 26, 2015
EF3
68 km
8.5 mi
0
May 15, 2013
EF3
70 km
7.8 mi
0
May 12, 2000
EF3
42 km
7.0 mi
2
Mar 28, 2000
EF3
99 km
8.0 mi
0
May 27, 1997
EF3
92 km
1.4 mi
0
May 27, 1997
EF3
71 km
3.7 mi
0
Apr 27, 1990
EF3
49 km
4.0 mi
0
Oct 13, 1981
EF3
74 km
7.2 mi
0
May 9, 1981
EF3
98 km
15.0 mi
0
May 9, 1981
EF3
16 km
5.2 mi
0
May 11, 1978
EF3
25 km
7.2 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
12 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: CRITTENBERG COMPLEX (21,391 acres, 2022).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2022
CRITTENBERG COMPLEX
21,391
98 km
2022
CHALK MOUNTAIN
6,461
98 km
2011
UNNAMED
5,706
99 km
2011
BIG TRICKLE RANCH FIRE
3,623
80 km
2011
C#491
3,616
32 km
2009
OWL CREEK
2,376
97 km
1996
UNNAMED
2,067
96 km
2005
200 MOUNTAIN RIDGE
2,051
99 km
2006
BROWNS CREEK RANGE
1,889
98 km
2009
UNNAMED
1,445
96 km
2023
DOUBLE BACK
1,275
90 km
2011
CEDAR RIDGE
1,051
40 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
46°F (8°C)
1.9 in
Coldest
February
51°F (10°C)
2.4 in
March
58°F (15°C)
2.9 in
April
66°F (19°C)
3.3 in
May
73°F (23°C)
5.0 in
Wettest
June
80°F (27°C)
3.4 in
July
84°F (29°C)
1.9 in
Warmest, Driest
August
84°F (29°C)
1.9 in
September
78°F (25°C)
3.5 in
October
68°F (20°C)
3.9 in
November
56°F (13°C)
2.8 in
December
48°F (9°C)
2.4 in
Penelope has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 46°F in January to 84°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 35.2 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.0") and July the driest (1.9").