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Weather & Climate in Rice Tracts, TX
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Rice Tracts has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 76°F (24°C). Winters average 61°F in January while summers reach 87°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 28.2 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 47 feet.
Temperature
61°F Jan (16°C)
87°F Jul (30°C)
| Annual Average | 75.6°F |
| 40% above US avg | |
| January Average | 61°F (16°C) |
| July Average | 87°F (30°C) |
| Sunny Days | 312 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 47 ft (14 m) |
| Area | 2.0 sq mi (5.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 597/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 26.0569°N, 97.6279°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Cameron County County |
| Nearest Airport | Valley International (HRL) 12 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 42.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 97.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 91.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 6.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very High |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Very High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1 earthquake (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M2.7.
| Jun 28, 2021 | 96 km E of South Padre Island, Texas | M2.7 | 143 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
14 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 | 257 km |
| 2024 | Francine | Category 1 | 75 mph | 293 km |
| 2021 | Nicholas | Category 1 | 75 mph | 258 km |
| 2020 | Hanna | Category 1 | 92 mph | 71 km |
| 2017 | Harvey | Category 4 | 132 mph | 168 km |
| 2010 | Alex | Category 2 | 109 mph | 198 km |
| 2008 | Dolly | Category 2 | 98 mph | 40 km |
| 2005 | Emily | Category 3 | 127 mph | 137 km |
| 2003 | Claudette | Category 1 | 92 mph | 287 km |
| 2003 | Erika | Category 1 | 75 mph | 87 km |
| 1999 | Bret | Category 4 | 144 mph | 94 km |
| 1988 | Gilbert | Category 4 | 132 mph | 193 km |
| 1983 | Barry | Category 1 | 81 mph | 74 km |
| 1980 | Allen | Category 5 | 161 mph | 38 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
125 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 37 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 15, 1983 | EF3 | 69 km | 6.1 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 1969 | EF3 | 6 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 1969 | EF3 | 19 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1965 | EF3 | 100 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1991 | EF2 | 99 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 9, 1980 | EF2 | 12 km | 4.6 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1970 | EF2 | 51 km | 25.5 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 1969 | EF2 | 25 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1967 | EF2 | 86 km | 40.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 1962 | EF2 | 48 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 13, 2023 | EF1 | 37 km | 0.5 mi | 1 |
| Oct 30, 2015 | EF1 | 35 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 30, 2011 | EF1 | 57 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 2007 | EF1 | 62 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 30, 2003 | EF1 | 84 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2001 | EF1 | 71 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2001 | EF1 | 73 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 4, 1997 | EF1 | 19 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1994 | EF1 | 90 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 16, 1988 | EF1 | 16 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
6 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 | 94 km |
| 2022 | HAYFIELD SOUTH | 11,038 | 76 km |
| 2022 | POLO | 5,571 | 86 km |
| 2011 | KING RANCH | 3,075 | 78 km |
| 2009 | SAN CARLOS | 2,849 | 94 km |
| 2009 | STILLMAN | 1,466 | 75 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 61°F (16°C) | 1.6 in | |
| February | 62°F (17°C) | 1.5 in | |
| March | 69°F (20°C) | 0.8 in | Driest |
| April | 74°F (23°C) | 1.7 in | |
| May | 79°F (26°C) | 2.8 in | |
| June | 83°F (28°C) | 2.9 in | |
| July | 87°F (30°C) | 1.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 84°F (29°C) | 2.9 in | |
| September | 81°F (27°C) | 5.7 in | Wettest |
| October | 75°F (24°C) | 2.8 in | |
| November | 67°F (20°C) | 1.5 in | |
| December | 61°F (16°C) | 1.3 in | Coldest |
Rice Tracts has a seasonal temperature swing of 26°F / from 61°F in December to 87°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 27.2 inches, with September being the wettest month (5.7") and March the driest (0.8").