All Countries
Weather & Climate in Sour Lake, TX
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sour Lake enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 69°F (21°C). Winters average 52°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. The area gets 313 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 62.0 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 45 feet.
Temperature
52°F Jan (11°C)
83°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 68.9°F |
| 28% above US avg | |
| January Average | 52°F (11°C) |
| July Average | 83°F (28°C) |
| Sunny Days | 313 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 45 ft (14 m) |
| Area | 2.0 sq mi (5.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 940/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 30.1377°N, 94.4043°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Hardin County County |
| Nearest Airport | Jack Brooks Regional (BPT) 26 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 42.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 69.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 44.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 49.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
2 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.0.
| Apr 2, 2024 | 5 km WSW of Chireno, Texas | M3.0 | 149 km | 8 km |
| May 4, 2024 | 5 km WSW of Chireno, Texas | M2.6 | 149 km | 6 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
19 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 4.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2024 | Francine | Category 2 | 104 mph | 281 km |
| 2024 | Beryl | Category 1 | 92 mph | 180 km |
| 2021 | Nicholas | Category 1 | 75 mph | 195 km |
| 2020 | Laura | Category 4 | 150 mph | 105 km |
| 2020 | Delta | Category 3 | 115 mph | 131 km |
| 2019 | Barry | Category 1 | 75 mph | 221 km |
| 2008 | Ike | Category 2 | 109 mph | 68 km |
| 2008 | Gustav | Category 2 | 98 mph | 241 km |
| 2007 | Humberto | Category 1 | 92 mph | 47 km |
| 2005 | Rita | Category 3 | 127 mph | 50 km |
| 2003 | Claudette | Category 1 | 92 mph | 230 km |
| 2002 | Lili | Category 3 | 121 mph | 203 km |
| 1992 | Andrew | Category 4 | 138 mph | 260 km |
| 1989 | Jerry | Category 1 | 86 mph | 119 km |
| 1989 | Chantal | Category 1 | 81 mph | 60 km |
| 1986 | Bonnie | Category 1 | 86 mph | 28 km |
| 1985 | Juan | Category 1 | 86 mph | 165 km |
| 1985 | Danny | Category 1 | 92 mph | 165 km |
| 1983 | Alicia | Category 3 | 115 mph | 116 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
671 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 28 fatalities, 789 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Nov 21, 1992 | EF4 | 96 km | 30.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 12, 1961 | EF4 | 98 km | 1.0 mi | 8 |
| Nov 7, 1957 | EF4 | 65 km | 12.9 mi | 1 |
| Dec 28, 2024 | EF3 | 61 km | 67.9 mi | 0 |
| Dec 28, 2024 | EF3 | 89 km | 10.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 30, 2002 | EF3 | 83 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 2, 1999 | EF3 | 98 km | 12.0 mi | 1 |
| Jan 1, 1999 | EF3 | 16 km | 5.5 mi | 0 |
| Nov 21, 1992 | EF3 | 66 km | 32.0 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1983 | EF3 | 89 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 31, 1983 | EF3 | 23 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 13, 1982 | EF3 | 53 km | 8.5 mi | 1 |
| Dec 13, 1977 | EF3 | 93 km | 25.1 mi | 1 |
| Oct 28, 1974 | EF3 | 77 km | 3.3 mi | 1 |
| Oct 28, 1974 | EF3 | 57 km | 9.6 mi | 1 |
| Apr 17, 1973 | EF3 | 71 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 11, 1970 | EF3 | 56 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| Sep 8, 1969 | EF3 | 93 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 1969 | EF3 | 49 km | 1.5 mi | 3 |
| Mar 23, 1969 | EF3 | 39 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: LASBR-BIL-FY23-RX-PRESCRIBED FIRE (18,392 acres, 2023).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2023 | LASBR-BIL-FY23-RX-PRESCRIBED FIRE | 18,392 | 95 km |
| 2007 | 08 UNIT 1 RX | 16,981 | 58 km |
| 2002 | BAYOU COMPLEX | 15,744 | 91 km |
| 1993 | PF UNIT 5 | 15,059 | 71 km |
| 2010 | MCR UNIT 2 RX | 14,471 | 57 km |
| 2000 | E WHITES 2 | 13,996 | 58 km |
| 2007 | UNIT 5 | 13,959 | 74 km |
| 2012 | WF HOLIDAY 1-2 | 13,251 | 58 km |
| 1990 | U 2 PF 90 1 | 12,490 | 87 km |
| 2005 | UNIT 4 05 01 | 11,749 | 85 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 11,431 | 75 km |
| 2005 | RX UNIT 12 1117 2005 | 10,728 | 59 km |
| 2011 | SABINE WEST - 2011 (UNIT 3) | 10,195 | 83 km |
| 1997 | WILD COW BAY | 10,069 | 56 km |
| 2020 | TXMCR-FY20-RX-W | 10,033 | 58 km |
| 2014 | PINTAIL | 9,498 | 92 km |
| 2023 | H AND H COMPLEX | 9,476 | 47 km |
| 1992 | UNNAMED | 9,344 | 59 km |
| 2003 | UNIT 8 WILDFIRE | 9,076 | 56 km |
| 1987 | U 1 PF 87 09 | 8,953 | 93 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 52°F (11°C) | 4.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 54°F (12°C) | 3.6 in | Driest |
| March | 61°F (16°C) | 3.6 in | |
| April | 67°F (20°C) | 3.6 in | |
| May | 75°F (24°C) | 5.4 in | |
| June | 80°F (27°C) | 6.1 in | Wettest |
| July | 83°F (28°C) | 4.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 82°F (28°C) | 4.2 in | |
| September | 78°F (26°C) | 5.8 in | |
| October | 69°F (21°C) | 4.6 in | |
| November | 60°F (15°C) | 4.8 in | |
| December | 53°F (12°C) | 4.8 in |
Sour Lake has a seasonal temperature swing of 31°F / from 52°F in January to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 55.7 inches, with June being the wettest month (6.1") and February the driest (3.6").