Weather & Climate in Terlingua, TX
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Terlingua has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 71°F (22°C). Winters average 52°F in January while summers reach 87°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 9.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. 71% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 2,579 feet.
Temperature
52°F Jan (11°C)
87°F Jul (30°C)
| Annual Average | 71.1°F |
| 32% above US avg | |
| January Average | 52°F (11°C) |
| July Average | 87°F (30°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,579 ft (786 m) |
| Area | 11.0 sq mi (28.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 13/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 29.2871°N, 103.5834°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Brewster County County |
| Nearest Airport | Del Rio International (DRT) 160 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 70.6% |
| Unhealthy Days | 2 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 21.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 52.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 23.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
40 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.7.
| Apr 14, 1995 | 13 km NW of Marathon, Texas | M5.7 | 113 km | 18 km |
| Apr 15, 1995 | 10 km NW of Marathon, Texas | M4.0 | 112 km | 10 km |
| May 14, 2015 | 84 km S of Sanderson, Texas | M4.0 | 100 km | 16 km |
| Aug 26, 2017 | 50 km NNW of Ojinaga, Mexico | M3.7 | 135 km | 5 km |
| Aug 5, 2023 | 10 km E of Study Butte, Texas | M3.7 | 17 km | 0 km |
| Jun 11, 2018 | Chihuahua, Mexico | M3.6 | 142 km | 10 km |
| Nov 12, 1995 | 14 km NW of Marathon, Texas | M3.6 | 115 km | 10 km |
| Apr 15, 1998 | 5 km WSW of Marathon, Texas | M3.6 | 104 km | 10 km |
| Jun 18, 2019 | 13 km ESE of Redford, Texas | M3.6 | 48 km | 5 km |
| Jan 24, 2012 | 17 km NW of Marathon, Texas | M3.6 | 116 km | 5 km |
| Jun 1, 1995 | 14 km NW of Marathon, Texas | M3.5 | 115 km | 10 km |
| Feb 17, 2011 | 11 km SSW of Marathon, Texas | M3.3 | 96 km | 5 km |
| Apr 14, 1995 | 14 km NW of Marathon, Texas | M3.3 | 115 km | 10 km |
| Apr 11, 2021 | 50 km NE of Hércules, Mexico | M3.2 | 107 km | 10 km |
| Jan 6, 2024 | 6 km NNE of Presidio, Texas | M3.2 | 82 km | 10 km |
| May 10, 2020 | 15 km NW of Marathon, Texas | M3.1 | 113 km | 5 km |
| Jul 6, 2021 | 107 km SE of Study Butte, Texas | M3.1 | 109 km | 10 km |
| Feb 13, 2025 | 19 km S of Marathon, Texas | M2.9 | 89 km | 5 km |
| Apr 21, 1995 | 14 km NW of Marathon, Texas | M2.9 | 115 km | 10 km |
| Apr 14, 1995 | 14 km NW of Marathon, Texas | M2.9 | 115 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
7 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 3 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 9, 1962 | EF2 | 95 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1958 | EF1 | 7 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1987 | EF0 | 47 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1979 | EF0 | 22 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1975 | EF0 | 19 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 21, 1967 | EF0 | 44 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 1954 | EF0 | 4 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
13 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ELEPHANT MOUNTAIN (10,650 acres, 2009).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2009 | ELEPHANT MOUNTAIN | 10,650 | 86 km |
| 2011 | MIND | 8,020 | 92 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 6,684 | 98 km |
| 1991 | SHAKELFORD | 5,586 | 63 km |
| 1994 | ESTUFA | 4,353 | 43 km |
| 1993 | MAYDAY | 3,469 | 13 km |
| 2011 | SHIRLEY RANCH | 3,268 | 98 km |
| 1992 | GAP | 2,992 | 32 km |
| 2011 | SHACKELFORD | 2,892 | 59 km |
| 2010 | BAR-LITE | 2,441 | 86 km |
| 2011 | BURRO MESA | 1,934 | 19 km |
| 1989 | MARGARET 4 | 1,361 | 64 km |
| 2021 | SOUTH RIM 4 | 1,212 | 29 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 52°F (11°C) | 0.3 in | Coldest |
| February | 57°F (14°C) | 0.2 in | Driest |
| March | 65°F (19°C) | 0.4 in | |
| April | 72°F (22°C) | 0.3 in | |
| May | 82°F (28°C) | 1.0 in | |
| June | 87°F (30°C) | 1.2 in | |
| July | 87°F (30°C) | 1.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 86°F (30°C) | 1.5 in | Wettest |
| September | 81°F (27°C) | 1.3 in | |
| October | 73°F (23°C) | 0.4 in | |
| November | 61°F (16°C) | 1.1 in | |
| December | 52°F (11°C) | 0.5 in |
Terlingua has a seasonal temperature swing of 35°F / from 52°F in January to 87°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 9.3 inches, with August being the wettest month (1.5") and February the driest (0.2").