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Weather & Climate in Rusk, TX
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Rusk enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. The area gets 306 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 50.1 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42. The city sits at an elevation of 540 feet.
Temperature
46°F Jan (8°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 64.9°F |
| 20% above US avg | |
| January Average | 46°F (8°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 306 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 540 ft (165 m) |
| Area | 7.2 sq mi (18.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 737/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 31.7978°N, 95.1488°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Cherokee County County |
| Nearest Airport | Nacogdoches A L Mangham Jr Regional (OCH) 30 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 42.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 61.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 70.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 25.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
24 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.8.
| May 17, 2012 | 3 km NE of Timpson, Texas | M4.8 | 75 km | 5 km |
| Sep 2, 2013 | 3 km WNW of Timpson, Texas | M4.3 | 69 km | 5 km |
| Sep 2, 2013 | 14 km WNW of Timpson, Texas | M4.2 | 62 km | 5 km |
| Jan 25, 2013 | 11 km SE of Timpson, Texas | M4.1 | 80 km | 5 km |
| May 10, 2012 | 9 km NW of Timpson, Texas | M3.9 | 67 km | 7 km |
| Jan 18, 2025 | 0 km WSW of Mooringsport, Louisiana | M3.5 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Mar 29, 2025 | 13 km NNE of Wells, Texas | M3.5 | 35 km | 7 km |
| Jan 20, 2019 | 7 km SSW of San Augustine, Texas | M3.3 | 103 km | 5 km |
| Aug 22, 2025 | 5 km WSW of Huxley, Texas | M3.2 | 115 km | 9 km |
| Apr 16, 2021 | 8 km WNW of Blanchard, Louisiana | M3.2 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Apr 2, 2024 | 5 km WSW of Chireno, Texas | M3.0 | 79 km | 8 km |
| Aug 21, 2025 | 8 km W of Huxley, Texas | M3.0 | 112 km | 7 km |
| Apr 1, 2021 | 7 km W of Blanchard, Louisiana | M3.0 | 141 km | 5 km |
| May 31, 2013 | 7 km SE of Timpson, Texas | M2.9 | 78 km | 5 km |
| Dec 7, 2012 | 3 km S of Timpson, Texas | M2.8 | 71 km | 5 km |
| Jan 29, 2013 | 4 km S of Timpson, Texas | M2.8 | 72 km | 5 km |
| Jan 31, 2013 | 7 km WNW of Timpson, Texas | M2.8 | 66 km | 5 km |
| May 20, 2012 | 5 km W of Timpson, Texas | M2.7 | 66 km | 5 km |
| Jul 27, 2019 | 6 km SSW of Timpson, Texas | M2.6 | 69 km | 5 km |
| Dec 22, 2012 | 1 km W of Timpson, Texas | M2.6 | 70 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
10 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 4.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2024 | Beryl | Category 1 | 81 mph | 289 km |
| 2020 | Laura | Category 4 | 150 mph | 188 km |
| 2020 | Delta | Category 2 | 98 mph | 286 km |
| 2008 | Ike | Category 2 | 109 mph | 90 km |
| 2007 | Humberto | Category 1 | 92 mph | 223 km |
| 2005 | Rita | Category 3 | 115 mph | 176 km |
| 1989 | Chantal | Category 1 | 81 mph | 255 km |
| 1989 | Jerry | Category 1 | 86 mph | 289 km |
| 1986 | Bonnie | Category 1 | 86 mph | 226 km |
| 1983 | Alicia | Category 3 | 115 mph | 236 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
514 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 26 fatalities, 664 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 29, 2017 | EF4 | 97 km | 21.4 mi | 2 |
| Apr 13, 2019 | EF3 | 43 km | 41.1 mi | 2 |
| Apr 29, 2017 | EF3 | 96 km | 39.7 mi | 2 |
| May 10, 2015 | EF3 | 81 km | 10.2 mi | 2 |
| Dec 25, 2012 | EF3 | 73 km | 9.7 mi | 0 |
| Dec 23, 2009 | EF3 | 68 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 6, 2003 | EF3 | 15 km | 38.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 30, 2002 | EF3 | 86 km | 49.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1991 | EF3 | 32 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 19, 1991 | EF3 | 91 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 19, 1990 | EF3 | 67 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1989 | EF3 | 73 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 1, 1988 | EF3 | 86 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 15, 1987 | EF3 | 57 km | 10.5 mi | 1 |
| Nov 15, 1987 | EF3 | 17 km | 33.0 mi | 4 |
| Nov 15, 1987 | EF3 | 92 km | 48.0 mi | 1 |
| Oct 13, 1981 | EF3 | 96 km | 7.2 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 1981 | EF3 | 73 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 1, 1979 | EF3 | 93 km | 5.6 mi | 0 |
| Feb 23, 1979 | EF3 | 51 km | 10.3 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: EAST TEXAS COMPLEX (19,100 acres, 2011).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2011 | EAST TEXAS COMPLEX | 19,100 | 83 km |
| 2011 | 502 | 8,344 | 20 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 7,272 | 58 km |
| 2010 | C 32 WFHF | 6,451 | 74 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 5,187 | 59 km |
| 2011 | 841 ARBOR | 4,966 | 60 km |
| 2011 | OLD MAGNOLIA | 4,881 | 80 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 4,767 | 59 km |
| 2022 | ANF NORWOOD BLOCK B-C | 4,753 | 95 km |
| 2020 | C-16/17/18/19 | 4,633 | 30 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 4,363 | 35 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 4,239 | 99 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 4,215 | 62 km |
| 2010 | COMPARTMENT 6 RX | 4,123 | 39 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 3,929 | 35 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 3,918 | 97 km |
| 2021 | BANNISTER WEST | 3,789 | 99 km |
| 2010 | COMPARTMENT 43 RX | 3,719 | 62 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 3,651 | 74 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 3,503 | 78 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 46°F (8°C) | 3.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 51°F (10°C) | 3.3 in | |
| March | 58°F (14°C) | 3.7 in | |
| April | 65°F (18°C) | 3.8 in | |
| May | 72°F (22°C) | 4.7 in | Wettest |
| June | 79°F (26°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 2.8 in | |
| August | 82°F (28°C) | 2.2 in | Warmest, Driest |
| September | 77°F (25°C) | 4.0 in | |
| October | 67°F (19°C) | 4.0 in | |
| November | 56°F (13°C) | 4.0 in | |
| December | 49°F (9°C) | 3.9 in |
Rusk has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 46°F in January to 82°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 43.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.7") and August the driest (2.2").