Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
San Benito 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 39 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
39 ft (12 m)
Area
15.8 sq mi (40.9 km²)
Population Density
1,562/sq mi
Coordinates
26.1294°N, 97.6441°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Cameron County County
Nearest Airport
Valley International (HRL) 7 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall28.2"
26% below US avg
Snowfall0.1"
Wettest Month (Sep)5.71"
Driest Month (Mar)0.83"
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
144 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
253 km
2024
Francine
Category 1
75 mph
294 km
2021
Nicholas
Category 1
75 mph
252 km
2020
Hanna
Category 1
92 mph
63 km
2017
Harvey
Category 4
132 mph
166 km
2010
Alex
Category 2
109 mph
206 km
2008
Dolly
Category 2
98 mph
33 km
2005
Emily
Category 3
127 mph
144 km
2003
Claudette
Category 1
92 mph
280 km
2003
Erika
Category 1
75 mph
95 km
1999
Bret
Category 4
144 mph
86 km
1988
Gilbert
Category 4
132 mph
200 km
1983
Barry
Category 1
81 mph
82 km
1980
Allen
Category 5
161 mph
30 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
129 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 39 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Mar 15, 1983
EF3
68 km
6.1 mi
0
May 12, 1969
EF3
6 km
0.1 mi
0
May 12, 1969
EF3
11 km
0.1 mi
0
Apr 19, 1965
EF3
93 km
1.5 mi
0
May 5, 1991
EF2
94 km
1.0 mi
0
Aug 9, 1980
EF2
20 km
4.6 mi
0
May 24, 1970
EF2
43 km
25.5 mi
0
May 12, 1969
EF2
32 km
0.1 mi
0
Apr 26, 1967
EF2
83 km
40.2 mi
0
Jun 1, 1962
EF2
40 km
1.0 mi
0
Jan 26, 1950
EF2
96 km
4.7 mi
0
May 13, 2023
EF1
39 km
0.5 mi
1
Oct 30, 2015
EF1
26 km
0.7 mi
0
Jun 30, 2011
EF1
55 km
0.4 mi
0
Jul 16, 2007
EF1
59 km
1.0 mi
0
Apr 30, 2003
EF1
81 km
0.3 mi
0
May 21, 2001
EF1
68 km
0.2 mi
0
May 21, 2001
EF1
69 km
0.1 mi
0
Apr 4, 1997
EF1
25 km
0.5 mi
0
Jun 14, 1994
EF1
85 km
0.5 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
12 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
86 km
2022
HAYFIELD SOUTH
11,038
68 km
2021
KING
9,793
96 km
2022
VIB
7,817
98 km
2022
POLO
5,571
77 km
2008
ENCINO
3,979
97 km
2011
KING RANCH
3,075
70 km
2009
SAN CARLOS
2,849
85 km
2011
ENCINITOS
1,748
100 km
2009
STILLMAN
1,466
67 km
2024
MILE MARKER 32
1,426
98 km
2022
LA PALOMA
1,214
98 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
San Benito 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").