Weather & Climate in Plains, TX

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

Plains enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (15°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. The area gets 330 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 16.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 2.7 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42. The city sits at an elevation of 3,632 feet.

Temperature

39°F Jan (4°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	59.5°F
	10% above US avg
January Average	39°F (4°C)
July Average	79°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3,632 ft (1,107 m)
Area	1.5 sq mi (3.9 km²)
Population Density	793/sq mi
Coordinates	33.1883°N, 102.8215°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Yoakum County County
Nearest Airport	Lea County Regional (HOB) 42 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 16.2"

57% below US avg

Snowfall 2.7"

Wettest Month (Aug) 2.76"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.43"

Air Quality

AQI Median	42.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	46.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability	90.9 / 100
Community Resilience	1.5 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Hurricane	Very Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively Low
Ice Storm	Very Low
Drought	Relatively High
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
Landslide	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

284 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.1.

Sep 17, 2024	2024 North of Tarzan, Texas Earthquake	M5.1	112 km	6 km
Feb 28, 2025	26 km SW of Ackerly, Texas	M4.8	124 km	7 km
Jan 2, 1992	12 km SSE of Eunice, New Mexico	M4.6	98 km	5 km
Apr 10, 2024	21 km N of Stanton, Texas	M4.4	135 km	5 km
Jul 19, 2021	37 km ESE of Malaga, New Mexico	M4.0	150 km	8 km
Jun 6, 2022	18 km SE of Ackerly, Texas	M3.9	145 km	7 km
Apr 25, 2024	20 km SW of Jal, New Mexico	M3.9	144 km	8 km
Mar 5, 2024	37 km SSW of Los Ybanez, Texas	M3.8	108 km	6 km
Apr 25, 2024	20 km SW of Jal, New Mexico	M3.8	143 km	9 km
Apr 10, 2023	20 km NW of Stanton, Texas	M3.7	132 km	6 km
Jul 10, 2025	33 km SSW of Los Ybanez, Texas	M3.7	109 km	8 km
Jun 16, 2022	16 km SSE of Ackerly, Texas	M3.6	141 km	8 km
May 2, 2025	36 km SSW of Los Ybanez, Texas	M3.6	106 km	6 km
Jul 31, 2023	17 km SSE of Ackerly, Texas	M3.5	141 km	6 km
May 22, 2021	11 km NE of Odessa, Texas	M3.5	149 km	8 km
Feb 15, 2021	15 km N of Stanton, Texas	M3.5	141 km	5 km
Jul 22, 2023	10 km SSE of Gardendale, Texas	M3.5	146 km	8 km
Mar 19, 2022	18 km SSE of Ackerly, Texas	M3.5	143 km	4 km
Apr 30, 2024	33 km WSW of Ackerly, Texas	M3.5	113 km	8 km
Sep 22, 2023	New Mexico	M3.5	110 km	8 km

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

Tornado History

437 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 26 fatalities, 583 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 11, 1970	EF5	95 km	8.4 mi	26
Apr 17, 1970	EF4	49 km	30.0 mi	0
Apr 21, 1957	EF4	67 km	29.2 mi	0
May 10, 1991	EF3	75 km	8.5 mi	0
May 16, 1969	EF3	87 km	0.6 mi	0
Apr 19, 1969	EF3	56 km	0.1 mi	0
Oct 17, 1965	EF3	89 km	0.2 mi	0
May 24, 1957	EF3	97 km	37.3 mi	0
Jun 17, 1956	EF3	92 km	1.0 mi	0
May 17, 1954	EF3	57 km	0.1 mi	0
May 23, 2022	EF2	55 km	7.6 mi	0
May 23, 2022	EF2	69 km	2.9 mi	0
May 26, 2019	EF2	90 km	9.5 mi	0
May 5, 2019	EF2	91 km	17.2 mi	0
Nov 16, 2015	EF2	69 km	5.6 mi	0
Jun 19, 2013	EF2	41 km	5.2 mi	0
Mar 23, 2007	EF2	59 km	8.4 mi	0
Mar 23, 2007	EF2	59 km	1.5 mi	0
Apr 10, 1997	EF2	64 km	2.6 mi	0
Jun 27, 1992	EF2	94 km	0.9 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: MCDONALD (92,790 acres, 2006).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2006	MCDONALD	92,790	46 km
2011	ENTERPRISE	77,368	66 km
2009	CATO	53,730	100 km
2018	206	40,247	56 km
2000	VALENTINE COMPLEX	35,678	51 km
2000	GRANDE COMPLEX	34,597	63 km
2008	STILES COMPLEX	27,841	62 km
2011	MARTIN 2	26,841	66 km
2009	238	24,831	73 km
2008	FOUR LAKES	23,770	57 km
2011	KIZER 5	20,859	74 km
1988	FORT	20,320	50 km
2018	380	19,287	54 km
2006	BUCKEYE I	19,027	68 km
2008	UNNAMED	16,027	71 km
1988	TATUM	15,149	34 km
2011	JACKIE	14,622	63 km
1989	ONEIL	11,984	64 km
1989	WATTS	11,602	36 km
1989	CAPROCK	11,492	100 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	39°F (4°C)	0.4 in	Coldest, Driest
February	44°F (6°C)	0.6 in
March	51°F (10°C)	0.7 in
April	59°F (15°C)	0.8 in
May	68°F (20°C)	2.2 in
June	75°F (24°C)	2.6 in
July	79°F (26°C)	2.5 in	Warmest
August	76°F (24°C)	2.8 in	Wettest
September	70°F (21°C)	2.6 in
October	60°F (16°C)	1.6 in
November	48°F (9°C)	0.7 in
December	41°F (5°C)	0.6 in

Plains has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 39°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 18.0 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.8") and January the driest (0.4").

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