Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Pharr 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 312 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 24.2 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 92 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
312 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
92 ft (28 m)
Area
24.2 sq mi (62.6 km²)
Population Density
3,302/sq mi
Coordinates
26.1678°N, 98.1902°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Hidalgo County County
Nearest Airport
Mc Allen International (MFE) 2 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall24.2"
36% 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
8 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
127 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
145 km
5 km
Nov 25, 2013
23 km SE of Los Ramones, Mexico
M4.0
148 km
10 km
Mar 2, 2014
15 km SW of China, Mexico
M4.0
132 km
8 km
Nov 30, 2013
26 km SE of Los Ramones, Mexico
M3.9
147 km
2 km
Mar 5, 2014
18 km SSW of China, Mexico
M3.9
129 km
10 km
Nov 26, 2013
22 km S of China, Mexico
M3.6
128 km
37 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 5.
Year
Name
Category
Max Wind
Closest
2024
Beryl
Category 1
92 mph
292 km
2021
Nicholas
Category 1
75 mph
283 km
2020
Hanna
Category 1
92 mph
52 km
2017
Harvey
Category 4
132 mph
215 km
2010
Alex
Category 2
109 mph
221 km
2008
Dolly
Category 2
98 mph
54 km
2005
Emily
Category 3
127 mph
140 km
2003
Claudette
Category 1
92 mph
299 km
2003
Erika
Category 1
75 mph
123 km
1999
Bret
Category 4
144 mph
95 km
1988
Gilbert
Category 4
132 mph
185 km
1983
Barry
Category 1
81 mph
110 km
1980
Allen
Category 5
161 mph
60 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
128 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
18 km
6.1 mi
0
May 12, 1969
EF3
59 km
0.1 mi
0
May 12, 1969
EF3
51 km
0.1 mi
0
Apr 19, 1965
EF3
61 km
1.5 mi
0
May 5, 1991
EF2
49 km
1.0 mi
0
Aug 9, 1980
EF2
68 km
4.6 mi
0
May 24, 1970
EF2
56 km
25.5 mi
0
May 12, 1969
EF2
78 km
0.1 mi
0
Apr 26, 1967
EF2
28 km
40.2 mi
0
Jun 1, 1962
EF2
53 km
1.0 mi
0
Jan 26, 1950
EF2
80 km
4.7 mi
0
May 13, 2023
EF1
93 km
0.5 mi
1
Oct 30, 2015
EF1
56 km
0.7 mi
0
Jun 30, 2011
EF1
6 km
0.4 mi
0
Jul 16, 2007
EF1
5 km
1.0 mi
0
Apr 30, 2003
EF1
27 km
0.3 mi
0
May 21, 2001
EF1
14 km
0.2 mi
0
May 21, 2001
EF1
16 km
0.1 mi
0
Apr 4, 1997
EF1
75 km
0.5 mi
0
Jun 14, 1994
EF1
41 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
60 km
2022
HAYFIELD SOUTH
11,038
83 km
2021
KING
9,793
82 km
2022
VIB
7,817
85 km
2022
POLO
5,571
86 km
2008
ENCINO
3,979
80 km
2021
NORTH JONES
3,541
97 km
2008
UNNAMED
3,389
90 km
2011
KING RANCH
3,075
74 km
2008
JONES RANCH
2,998
92 km
2005
2686
2,979
94 km
2009
HOPPER
2,929
99 km
2009
SAN CARLOS
2,849
91 km
2021
JONES
2,178
91 km
2010
ENCINITOS RANCH
1,967
69 km
2022
755
1,846
83 km
2011
ENCINITOS
1,748
70 km
2022
DEER
1,657
96 km
2009
STILLMAN
1,466
62 km
2023
ELECTRIC SLIDE
1,410
84 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
Pharr 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").