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Weather & Climate in Thornton, TX
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Thornton enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F (19°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. The area gets 303 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 39.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42. The city sits at an elevation of 489 feet.
Temperature
46°F Jan (8°C)
83°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 65.3°F |
| 21% above US avg | |
| January Average | 46°F (8°C) |
| July Average | 83°F (28°C) |
| Sunny Days | 303 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 489 ft (149 m) |
| Area | 1.0 sq mi (2.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 458/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 31.4100°N, 96.5736°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Limestone County County |
| Nearest Airport | Waco Regional (ACT) 41 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 42.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 59.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 92.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 18.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
30 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.
| May 7, 2015 | 5 km N of Venus, Texas | M4.0 | 129 km | 3 km |
| Jun 24, 2012 | 3 km SSE of Briaroaks, Texas | M3.5 | 136 km | 5 km |
| May 19, 2018 | 8 km NW of Venus, Texas | M3.4 | 132 km | 5 km |
| Jan 18, 2012 | 9 km SSE of Godley, Texas | M3.3 | 137 km | 5 km |
| Jun 15, 2012 | 5 km SSE of Briaroaks, Texas | M3.3 | 134 km | 5 km |
| May 1, 2024 | 7 km S of Mansfield, Texas | M3.2 | 132 km | 6 km |
| May 1, 2024 | 7 km SSW of Mansfield, Texas | M3.1 | 134 km | 4 km |
| Jul 17, 2011 | 2 km ESE of Venus, Texas | M3.0 | 123 km | 5 km |
| Dec 5, 2009 | 7 km S of Midlothian, Texas | M2.9 | 119 km | 5 km |
| Sep 3, 2015 | 7 km NNE of Leander, Texas | M2.9 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Jul 10, 2012 | 6 km NNE of Keene, Texas | M2.8 | 134 km | 5 km |
| Jun 2, 2009 | 1 km WNW of Cleburne, Texas | M2.8 | 131 km | 5 km |
| Jul 6, 2012 | 5 km NE of Keene, Texas | M2.7 | 131 km | 5 km |
| Oct 17, 2012 | 6 km WSW of Cedar Hill, Texas | M2.7 | 134 km | 6 km |
| Jul 13, 2012 | 1 km WSW of Briaroaks, Texas | M2.7 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Feb 4, 2016 | 7 km SSW of Mansfield, Texas | M2.7 | 133 km | 9 km |
| Feb 24, 2013 | 6 km SSW of Oak Leaf, Texas | M2.7 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Jun 12, 2011 | 4 km NNW of Plum Grove, Texas | M2.7 | 100 km | 5 km |
| Mar 10, 2013 | 6 km NNE of Godley, Texas | M2.7 | 150 km | 4 km |
| Mar 17, 2013 | 3 km S of Oak Leaf, Texas | M2.6 | 123 km | 2 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
8 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 3.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2024 | Beryl | Category 1 | 81 mph | 241 km |
| 2008 | Ike | Category 2 | 109 mph | 129 km |
| 2007 | Humberto | Category 1 | 92 mph | 297 km |
| 2005 | Rita | Category 3 | 115 mph | 257 km |
| 1989 | Chantal | Category 1 | 81 mph | 290 km |
| 1989 | Jerry | Category 1 | 86 mph | 288 km |
| 1986 | Bonnie | Category 1 | 86 mph | 275 km |
| 1983 | Alicia | Category 3 | 115 mph | 216 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
428 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 144 fatalities, 1,033 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 6, 1973 | EF5 | 89 km | 10.6 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 1953 | EF5 | 57 km | 20.9 mi | 114 |
| Mar 10, 1973 | EF4 | 28 km | 23.3 mi | 6 |
| Mar 31, 1959 | EF4 | 78 km | 10.4 mi | 6 |
| Apr 21, 1952 | EF4 | 84 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 2019 | EF3 | 60 km | 32.5 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 2000 | EF3 | 93 km | 7.0 mi | 2 |
| May 27, 1997 | EF3 | 73 km | 3.7 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 1997 | EF3 | 89 km | 1.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 1990 | EF3 | 22 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 14, 1990 | EF3 | 96 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 15, 1987 | EF3 | 86 km | 10.5 mi | 1 |
| Oct 13, 1981 | EF3 | 72 km | 7.2 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 1981 | EF3 | 75 km | 5.2 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 1981 | EF3 | 88 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 1978 | EF3 | 84 km | 7.2 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 1976 | EF3 | 96 km | 2.0 mi | 2 |
| May 25, 1976 | EF3 | 84 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 31, 1974 | EF3 | 97 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 1973 | EF3 | 75 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
4 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: S839 CONCORD ROBBINS (4,388 acres, 2011).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2011 | S839 CONCORD ROBBINS | 4,388 | 45 km |
| 2011 | C#491 | 3,616 | 28 km |
| 2011 | 507 | 1,121 | 88 km |
| 2011 | CEDAR RIDGE | 1,051 | 86 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 46°F (8°C) | 2.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 52°F (11°C) | 2.6 in | |
| March | 59°F (15°C) | 3.0 in | |
| April | 66°F (19°C) | 3.6 in | |
| May | 73°F (23°C) | 4.9 in | Wettest |
| June | 80°F (27°C) | 3.0 in | |
| July | 83°F (28°C) | 2.1 in | Driest |
| August | 83°F (29°C) | 2.1 in | Warmest |
| September | 78°F (25°C) | 3.7 in | |
| October | 68°F (20°C) | 4.1 in | |
| November | 57°F (14°C) | 3.2 in | |
| December | 50°F (10°C) | 2.9 in |
Thornton has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 46°F in January to 83°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 37.4 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.9") and July the driest (2.1").