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Weather & Climate in Rice, TX
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Rice 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 308 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 42.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42. The city sits at an elevation of 454 feet.
Temperature
46°F Jan (8°C)
84°F Jul (29°C)
| Annual Average | 65.7°F |
| 22% above US avg | |
| January Average | 46°F (8°C) |
| July Average | 84°F (29°C) |
| Sunny Days | 308 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 454 ft (138 m) |
| Area | 2.8 sq mi (7.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 437/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 32.2393°N, 96.4971°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Navarro County County |
| Nearest Airport | Dallas Love Field (DAL) 47 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 42.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 75.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 71.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 27.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
87 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 | 63 km | 3 km |
| Dec 8, 2013 | 0 km NNE of Sanctuary, Texas | M3.6 | 126 km | 5 km |
| Nov 20, 2013 | 1 km NNW of Azle, Texas | M3.6 | 124 km | 5 km |
| Jan 7, 2015 | 6 km NE of Irving, Texas | M3.6 | 77 km | 5 km |
| Jan 6, 2015 | 4 km ENE of Irving, Texas | M3.5 | 76 km | 6 km |
| Jun 24, 2012 | 3 km SSE of Briaroaks, Texas | M3.5 | 79 km | 5 km |
| Nov 25, 2013 | 3 km WNW of Sanctuary, Texas | M3.4 | 129 km | 5 km |
| May 31, 1997 | 3 km ESE of Neylandville, Texas | M3.4 | 116 km | 5 km |
| May 19, 2018 | 8 km NW of Venus, Texas | M3.4 | 68 km | 5 km |
| Sep 30, 2012 | 4 km NW of Irving, Texas | M3.4 | 81 km | 5 km |
| May 16, 2009 | 5 km NNW of Grand Prairie, Texas | M3.3 | 79 km | 9 km |
| May 18, 2015 | 5 km N of Irving, Texas | M3.3 | 82 km | 5 km |
| Apr 2, 2015 | 5 km NNE of Irving, Texas | M3.3 | 80 km | 8 km |
| Jan 18, 2012 | 9 km SSE of Godley, Texas | M3.3 | 94 km | 5 km |
| Jun 15, 2012 | 5 km SSE of Briaroaks, Texas | M3.3 | 77 km | 5 km |
| May 1, 2024 | 7 km S of Mansfield, Texas | M3.2 | 68 km | 6 km |
| May 3, 2015 | 4 km N of Irving, Texas | M3.2 | 80 km | 5 km |
| May 1, 2024 | 7 km SSW of Mansfield, Texas | M3.1 | 71 km | 4 km |
| Jan 13, 2014 | 2 km ESE of Reno, Texas | M3.1 | 126 km | 5 km |
| Feb 27, 2015 | 4 km ENE of Irving, Texas | M3.1 | 77 km | 8 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 |
| 2008 | Ike | Category 2 | 98 mph | 178 km |
| 2005 | Rita | Category 3 | 115 mph | 299 km |
| 1983 | Alicia | Category 1 | 92 mph | 298 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
715 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 167 fatalities, 2,284 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 11, 1953 | EF5 | 98 km | 20.9 mi | 114 |
| Apr 29, 2017 | EF4 | 45 km | 21.4 mi | 2 |
| Dec 26, 2015 | EF4 | 63 km | 13.0 mi | 10 |
| Apr 25, 1994 | EF4 | 47 km | 6.0 mi | 3 |
| May 26, 1976 | EF4 | 74 km | 18.8 mi | 0 |
| Mar 10, 1973 | EF4 | 85 km | 23.3 mi | 6 |
| Mar 31, 1959 | EF4 | 81 km | 10.4 mi | 6 |
| Oct 20, 2019 | EF3 | 80 km | 15.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 29, 2017 | EF3 | 61 km | 39.7 mi | 2 |
| Dec 26, 2015 | EF3 | 46 km | 8.5 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 2015 | EF3 | 85 km | 10.2 mi | 2 |
| May 15, 2013 | EF3 | 94 km | 7.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 2012 | EF3 | 57 km | 7.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2002 | EF3 | 98 km | 2.1 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 2000 | EF3 | 91 km | 7.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 28, 2000 | EF3 | 80 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 2000 | EF3 | 98 km | 4.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 27, 1990 | EF3 | 71 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 13, 1984 | EF3 | 55 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 13, 1981 | EF3 | 46 km | 7.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
3 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: C#491 (3,616 acres, 2011).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2011 | C#491 | 3,616 | 71 km |
| 2011 | 495 | 1,606 | 92 km |
| 2011 | CEDAR RIDGE | 1,051 | 93 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 46°F (8°C) | 2.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 50°F (10°C) | 3.1 in | |
| March | 57°F (14°C) | 3.2 in | |
| April | 65°F (18°C) | 3.5 in | |
| May | 72°F (22°C) | 5.0 in | Wettest |
| June | 80°F (26°C) | 3.4 in | |
| July | 84°F (29°C) | 2.0 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 84°F (29°C) | 2.1 in | |
| September | 77°F (25°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 67°F (19°C) | 4.2 in | |
| November | 56°F (13°C) | 3.2 in | |
| December | 48°F (9°C) | 3.2 in |
Rice has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 46°F in January to 84°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 38.6 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.0") and July the driest (2.0").