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Weather & Climate in Santa Cruz, TX
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Santa Cruz has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 74°F (24°C). Winters average 58°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 22.5 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 158 feet.
Temperature
58°F Jan (14°C)
87°F Jul (31°C)
| Annual Average | 74.4°F |
| 38% above US avg | |
| January Average | 58°F (14°C) |
| July Average | 87°F (31°C) |
| Sunny Days | 312 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 158 ft (48 m) |
| Area | 0.0 sq mi (0.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 10,500/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 26.3537°N, 98.7676°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Starr County County |
| Nearest Airport | Mc Allen International (MFE) 37 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 42.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 84.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 97.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 0.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Very High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
13 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.4.
| Jun 14, 2009 | 35 km E of Ciudad General Terán, Mexico | M4.4 | 131 km | 18 km |
| May 12, 2025 | 13 km E of Ciudad General Terán, Mexico | M4.2 | 146 km | 14 km |
| Mar 18, 2014 | 18 km E of Pueblo Nuevo, Mexico | M4.1 | 128 km | 1 km |
| Jan 19, 2014 | 12 km SSW of China, Mexico | M4.1 | 99 km | 12 km |
| Dec 22, 2013 | 19 km NE of Ciudad General Terán, Mexico | M4.0 | 133 km | 37 km |
| Feb 11, 2014 | 31 km SSE of China, Mexico | M4.0 | 109 km | 41 km |
| Mar 4, 2014 | 27 km SE of Los Ramones, Mexico | M4.0 | 116 km | 5 km |
| Nov 25, 2013 | 23 km SE of Los Ramones, Mexico | M4.0 | 117 km | 10 km |
| Mar 2, 2014 | 15 km SW of China, Mexico | M4.0 | 102 km | 8 km |
| Nov 30, 2013 | 26 km SE of Los Ramones, Mexico | M3.9 | 117 km | 2 km |
| Mar 5, 2014 | 18 km SSW of China, Mexico | M3.9 | 104 km | 10 km |
| Nov 26, 2013 | 22 km S of China, Mexico | M3.6 | 106 km | 37 km |
| Aug 30, 2016 | 11 km N of Los Ramones, Mexico | M3.6 | 107 km | 38 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 |
| 2020 | Hanna | Category 1 | 92 mph | 81 km |
| 2017 | Harvey | Category 4 | 132 mph | 250 km |
| 2010 | Alex | Category 2 | 109 mph | 253 km |
| 2008 | Dolly | Category 2 | 98 mph | 98 km |
| 2005 | Emily | Category 3 | 127 mph | 151 km |
| 2003 | Erika | Category 1 | 75 mph | 174 km |
| 1999 | Bret | Category 4 | 144 mph | 106 km |
| 1988 | Gilbert | Category 4 | 132 mph | 195 km |
| 1983 | Barry | Category 1 | 81 mph | 165 km |
| 1980 | Allen | Category 4 | 144 mph | 74 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
65 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 66 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 15, 1983 | EF3 | 56 km | 6.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1965 | EF3 | 58 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1991 | EF2 | 34 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 23, 1970 | EF2 | 79 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
| May 23, 1970 | EF2 | 79 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1967 | EF2 | 34 km | 40.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 1962 | EF2 | 99 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 7, 1956 | EF2 | 79 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jan 26, 1950 | EF2 | 87 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 30, 2011 | EF1 | 63 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 2007 | EF1 | 56 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 30, 2003 | EF1 | 35 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2001 | EF1 | 47 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2001 | EF1 | 46 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1994 | EF1 | 39 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 7, 1983 | EF1 | 35 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 29, 1981 | EF1 | 48 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 10, 1980 | EF1 | 35 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 20, 1970 | EF1 | 95 km | 5.7 mi | 0 |
| Sep 13, 1970 | EF1 | 50 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 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 | 66 km |
| 2011 | SMAC | 19,449 | 100 km |
| 2021 | KING | 9,793 | 92 km |
| 2022 | VIB | 7,817 | 95 km |
| 2017 | HOPPER | 7,150 | 91 km |
| 2022 | BLANKET | 5,823 | 90 km |
| 2008 | ENCINO | 3,979 | 88 km |
| 2021 | NORTH JONES | 3,541 | 82 km |
| 2023 | JENNINGS | 3,494 | 97 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 3,389 | 56 km |
| 2008 | JONES RANCH | 2,998 | 59 km |
| 2005 | 2686 | 2,979 | 46 km |
| 2009 | HOPPER | 2,929 | 89 km |
| 2021 | JONES | 2,178 | 76 km |
| 2010 | ENCINITOS RANCH | 1,967 | 62 km |
| 2022 | 755 | 1,846 | 87 km |
| 2011 | ENCINITOS | 1,748 | 64 km |
| 2009 | STILLMAN | 1,466 | 91 km |
| 2023 | ELECTRIC SLIDE | 1,410 | 88 km |
| 2008 | SAN RAFAEL RANCH | 1,407 | 57 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 58°F (14°C) | 1.1 in | Coldest |
| February | 62°F (16°C) | 1.1 in | |
| March | 69°F (21°C) | 0.7 in | Driest |
| April | 75°F (24°C) | 1.3 in | |
| May | 81°F (27°C) | 2.7 in | |
| June | 85°F (29°C) | 2.8 in | |
| July | 87°F (31°C) | 1.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 86°F (30°C) | 2.2 in | |
| September | 82°F (28°C) | 4.2 in | Wettest |
| October | 75°F (24°C) | 2.3 in | |
| November | 66°F (19°C) | 0.9 in | |
| December | 60°F (15°C) | 0.9 in |
Santa Cruz has a seasonal temperature swing of 29°F / from 58°F in January to 87°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 21.7 inches, with September being the wettest month (4.2") and March the driest (0.7").