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Weather & Climate in Santa Monica, TX
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Santa Monica has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 75°F (24°C). Winters average 61°F in January while summers reach 86°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 24.0 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 18 feet.
Temperature
61°F Jan (16°C)
86°F Jul (30°C)
| Annual Average | 75.0°F |
| 39% above US avg | |
| January Average | 61°F (16°C) |
| July Average | 86°F (30°C) |
| Sunny Days | 312 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 18 ft (5 m) |
| Area | 1.0 sq mi (2.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 10/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 26.3694°N, 97.5889°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Willacy County County |
| Nearest Airport | Valley International (HRL) 11 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 42.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 77.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 95.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 3.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low |
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 | 141 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 | 231 km |
| 2024 | Francine | Category 1 | 75 mph | 291 km |
| 2021 | Nicholas | Category 1 | 75 mph | 228 km |
| 2020 | Hanna | Category 1 | 92 mph | 37 km |
| 2017 | Harvey | Category 4 | 132 mph | 152 km |
| 2010 | Alex | Category 2 | 109 mph | 232 km |
| 2008 | Dolly | Category 2 | 98 mph | 10 km |
| 2005 | Emily | Category 3 | 127 mph | 171 km |
| 2003 | Claudette | Category 1 | 92 mph | 255 km |
| 2003 | Erika | Category 1 | 75 mph | 120 km |
| 1999 | Bret | Category 4 | 144 mph | 60 km |
| 1988 | Gilbert | Category 4 | 132 mph | 227 km |
| 1983 | Barry | Category 1 | 81 mph | 108 km |
| 1980 | Allen | Category 5 | 161 mph | 4 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
133 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 | 81 km | 6.1 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 1969 | EF3 | 30 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 1969 | EF3 | 19 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1965 | EF3 | 97 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1965 | EF3 | 82 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1991 | EF2 | 90 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 9, 1980 | EF2 | 45 km | 4.6 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1970 | EF2 | 23 km | 25.5 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 1969 | EF2 | 56 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1967 | EF2 | 90 km | 40.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 1962 | EF2 | 22 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 26, 1950 | EF2 | 78 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| May 13, 2023 | EF1 | 46 km | 0.5 mi | 1 |
| Oct 30, 2015 | EF1 | 8 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 30, 2011 | EF1 | 67 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 2007 | EF1 | 67 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 30, 2003 | EF1 | 87 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2001 | EF1 | 75 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2001 | EF1 | 76 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 4, 1997 | EF1 | 46 km | 0.5 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 | 74 km |
| 2022 | HAYFIELD SOUTH | 11,038 | 42 km |
| 2021 | KING | 9,793 | 76 km |
| 2017 | CANE | 8,802 | 75 km |
| 2022 | VIB | 7,817 | 77 km |
| 2018 | TRUST | 6,648 | 78 km |
| 2022 | POLO | 5,571 | 52 km |
| 2009 | TURTLE | 5,457 | 84 km |
| 2008 | ENCINO | 3,979 | 78 km |
| 2014 | 28 MILE | 3,719 | 84 km |
| 2021 | BAFFIN | 3,223 | 79 km |
| 2011 | KING RANCH | 3,075 | 46 km |
| 2009 | SAN CARLOS | 2,849 | 60 km |
| 2010 | ENCINITOS RANCH | 1,967 | 88 km |
| 2022 | 755 | 1,846 | 82 km |
| 2011 | ENCINITOS | 1,748 | 87 km |
| 2017 | BAFFIN 2 | 1,662 | 77 km |
| 2022 | DEER | 1,657 | 78 km |
| 2020 | 20 MILE | 1,467 | 88 km |
| 2009 | STILLMAN | 1,466 | 48 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 61°F (16°C) | 1.7 in | |
| February | 62°F (16°C) | 1.6 in | |
| March | 68°F (20°C) | 0.8 in | Driest |
| April | 73°F (23°C) | 1.5 in | |
| May | 79°F (26°C) | 3.0 in | |
| June | 82°F (28°C) | 3.0 in | |
| July | 86°F (30°C) | 1.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 84°F (29°C) | 2.6 in | |
| September | 81°F (27°C) | 5.8 in | Wettest |
| October | 75°F (24°C) | 2.7 in | |
| November | 67°F (19°C) | 1.7 in | |
| December | 60°F (16°C) | 1.4 in | Coldest |
Santa Monica has a seasonal temperature swing of 25°F / from 60°F in December to 86°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 27.6 inches, with September being the wettest month (5.8") and March the driest (0.8").