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Weather & Climate in Rochester, TX
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Rochester enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. The area gets 328 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 27.0 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 3.1 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42. The city sits at an elevation of 1,596 feet.
Temperature
42°F Jan (6°C)
83°F Jul (29°C)
| Annual Average | 63.1°F |
| 17% above US avg | |
| January Average | 42°F (6°C) |
| July Average | 83°F (29°C) |
| Sunny Days | 328 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,596 ft (486 m) |
| Area | 0.3 sq mi (0.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 765/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 33.3142°N, 99.8565°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Haskell County County |
| Nearest Airport | Abilene Regional (ABI) 63 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 42.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 11.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 59.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 34.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
203 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.1.
| Jul 26, 2024 | 17 km NNE of Hermleigh, Texas | M5.1 | 97 km | 3 km |
| Jul 23, 2024 | 17 km NNE of Hermleigh, Texas | M4.9 | 97 km | 3 km |
| Feb 16, 2023 | 15 km NE of Hermleigh, Texas | M4.7 | 98 km | 8 km |
| Jul 27, 2024 | 13 km NNE of Hermleigh, Texas | M4.5 | 101 km | 3 km |
| Jul 23, 2024 | 16 km NNE of Hermleigh, Texas | M4.4 | 98 km | 3 km |
| Sep 11, 2011 | 20 km NE of Snyder, Texas | M4.3 | 100 km | 5 km |
| Jul 25, 2024 | 16 km NNE of Hermleigh, Texas | M4.0 | 98 km | 3 km |
| Sep 22, 2023 | 8 km NE of Hermleigh, Texas | M3.9 | 105 km | 7 km |
| Mar 13, 2011 | 32 km WNW of Rotan, Texas | M3.8 | 92 km | 5 km |
| Aug 17, 2022 | 17 km NNE of Hermleigh, Texas | M3.8 | 97 km | 6 km |
| Jul 30, 2024 | 15 km NE of Hermleigh, Texas | M3.8 | 97 km | 8 km |
| Jul 20, 2025 | 14 km NE of Hermleigh, Texas | M3.7 | 99 km | 6 km |
| Aug 14, 2024 | 16 km NNE of Hermleigh, Texas | M3.6 | 99 km | 4 km |
| Jan 10, 2016 | 25 km NNE of Snyder, Texas | M3.6 | 100 km | 3 km |
| Oct 2, 2023 | 16 km NE of Hermleigh, Texas | M3.6 | 97 km | 4 km |
| Sep 12, 2011 | 12 km NNE of Snyder, Texas | M3.5 | 109 km | 8 km |
| Jan 6, 2015 | western Texas | M3.5 | 106 km | 4 km |
| Feb 11, 2023 | 16 km NE of Hermleigh, Texas | M3.5 | 97 km | 9 km |
| Feb 3, 2023 | 16 km NE of Hermleigh, Texas | M3.5 | 97 km | 8 km |
| Jan 17, 2016 | 17 km NNE of Snyder, Texas | M3.5 | 106 km | 2 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
481 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 23 fatalities, 98 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 2, 1980 | EF4 | 70 km | 8.4 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 1962 | EF4 | 18 km | 10.7 mi | 0 |
| May 1, 1954 | EF4 | 75 km | 68.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 13, 1953 | EF4 | 10 km | 13.9 mi | 17 |
| May 2, 2024 | EF3 | 77 km | 3.3 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 2022 | EF3 | 73 km | 23.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2021 | EF3 | 49 km | 8.4 mi | 0 |
| May 13, 2005 | EF3 | 41 km | 16.3 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 1994 | EF3 | 96 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 24, 1991 | EF3 | 20 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| May 14, 1990 | EF3 | 48 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1985 | EF3 | 80 km | 4.5 mi | 3 |
| May 16, 1982 | EF3 | 81 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 1976 | EF3 | 90 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 25, 1976 | EF3 | 84 km | 20.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 17, 1976 | EF3 | 70 km | 14.7 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 1965 | EF3 | 97 km | 9.3 mi | 0 |
| May 25, 1962 | EF3 | 56 km | 4.1 mi | 1 |
| Sep 3, 1961 | EF3 | 7 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1961 | EF3 | 50 km | 3.6 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BIG COUNTRY FIRE (209,352 acres, 1988).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1988 | BIG COUNTRY FIRE | 209,352 | 81 km |
| 2011 | COOPER MOUNTAIN RANCH | 157,855 | 85 km |
| 2011 | SWENSON | 136,789 | 30 km |
| 2011 | DICKENS COUNTY COMPLEX | 90,808 | 74 km |
| 2008 | EIGHTY-TWO FIRE | 31,611 | 35 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 28,633 | 41 km |
| 2022 | COCONUT | 27,963 | 79 km |
| 1996 | PITCHFORK FIRE | 27,222 | 66 km |
| 1996 | TRIANGLE FIRE | 25,553 | 84 km |
| 2021 | BUCK | 18,671 | 56 km |
| 1994 | KING COUNTY FIRE | 16,759 | 49 km |
| 2022 | SMOKE STACK LIGHTNING | 14,602 | 30 km |
| 2019 | VIVIAN | 11,825 | 87 km |
| 2009 | BLACK | 11,356 | 84 km |
| 2011 | MILLER CREEK | 10,888 | 47 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 10,804 | 100 km |
| 1997 | THROCKMORTON | 10,339 | 50 km |
| 2011 | ROCK CREEK | 10,128 | 28 km |
| 2003 | JOHNSON RANCH | 9,696 | 82 km |
| 2011 | JRM | 8,870 | 77 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 42°F (6°C) | 0.9 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 47°F (8°C) | 1.3 in | |
| March | 55°F (13°C) | 1.5 in | |
| April | 64°F (18°C) | 1.9 in | |
| May | 72°F (22°C) | 3.4 in | Wettest |
| June | 80°F (27°C) | 3.1 in | |
| July | 83°F (29°C) | 1.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 82°F (28°C) | 2.4 in | |
| September | 75°F (24°C) | 3.4 in | |
| October | 65°F (18°C) | 2.6 in | |
| November | 52°F (11°C) | 1.3 in | |
| December | 44°F (7°C) | 1.0 in |
Rochester has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 42°F in January to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 24.5 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.4") and January the driest (0.9").