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Weather & Climate in Zapata, TX
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Zapata has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 74°F (24°C). Winters average 57°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 20.4 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 376 feet.
Temperature
57°F Jan (14°C)
87°F Jul (31°C)
| Annual Average | 74.4°F |
| 38% above US avg | |
| January Average | 57°F (14°C) |
| July Average | 87°F (31°C) |
| Sunny Days | 312 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 376 ft (115 m) |
| Area | 9.6 sq mi (25.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 639/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 26.9022°N, 99.2614°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Zapata County County |
| Nearest Airport | Laredo International (LRD) 46 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 42.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 31.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 96.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 0.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
4 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.1.
| Jan 19, 2014 | 12 km SSW of China, Mexico | M4.1 | 146 km | 12 km |
| Mar 2, 2014 | 15 km SW of China, Mexico | M4.0 | 145 km | 8 km |
| Mar 24, 1997 | 4 km SSE of Alice, Texas | M3.8 | 150 km | 5 km |
| Aug 30, 2016 | 11 km N of Los Ramones, Mexico | M3.6 | 128 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 | 130 km |
| 2017 | Harvey | Category 4 | 132 mph | 257 km |
| 2008 | Dolly | Category 2 | 98 mph | 152 km |
| 2005 | Emily | Category 3 | 127 mph | 219 km |
| 2003 | Claudette | Category 1 | 81 mph | 299 km |
| 2003 | Erika | Category 1 | 75 mph | 252 km |
| 1999 | Bret | Category 4 | 138 mph | 117 km |
| 1988 | Gilbert | Category 3 | 127 mph | 260 km |
| 1983 | Barry | Category 1 | 81 mph | 243 km |
| 1980 | Allen | Category 4 | 127 mph | 51 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
26 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 40 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 19, 1965 | EF3 | 95 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1991 | EF2 | 89 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 29, 1971 | EF2 | 63 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 23, 1970 | EF2 | 1 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
| May 23, 1970 | EF2 | 2 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 5, 1961 | EF2 | 47 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 7, 1956 | EF2 | 2 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 2010 | EF1 | 73 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1994 | EF1 | 98 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1993 | EF1 | 97 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 7, 1983 | EF1 | 88 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 1977 | EF1 | 91 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 1977 | EF1 | 57 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 2012 | EF0 | 42 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 2009 | EF0 | 75 km | 1.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 2006 | EF0 | 95 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 20, 2005 | EF0 | 72 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 20, 2005 | EF0 | 41 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 20, 2005 | EF0 | 74 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2004 | EF0 | 56 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: SMAC (19,449 acres, 2011).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2011 | SMAC | 19,449 | 91 km |
| 2017 | HOPPER | 7,150 | 95 km |
| 2022 | BLANKET | 5,823 | 94 km |
| 2021 | NORTH JONES | 3,541 | 86 km |
| 2023 | JENNINGS | 3,494 | 25 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 3,389 | 59 km |
| 2008 | DANA | 3,127 | 69 km |
| 2008 | JONES RANCH | 2,998 | 60 km |
| 2005 | 2686 | 2,979 | 43 km |
| 2009 | HOPPER | 2,929 | 94 km |
| 2008 | 285 FIRE | 2,820 | 88 km |
| 2022 | GROOVE | 2,299 | 92 km |
| 2021 | JONES | 2,178 | 85 km |
| 2010 | ENCINITOS RANCH | 1,967 | 91 km |
| 2011 | ENCINITOS | 1,748 | 93 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 1,633 | 83 km |
| 2023 | FLORIDA | 1,514 | 81 km |
| 2008 | SAN RAFAEL RANCH | 1,407 | 74 km |
| 2005 | BORREGO | 1,392 | 59 km |
| 2004 | ROMAN COMPLEX | 1,241 | 44 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 57°F (14°C) | 0.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 60°F (16°C) | 0.9 in | |
| March | 69°F (20°C) | 0.8 in | Driest |
| April | 75°F (24°C) | 1.6 in | |
| May | 81°F (27°C) | 2.8 in | |
| June | 86°F (30°C) | 2.2 in | |
| July | 87°F (31°C) | 1.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 87°F (31°C) | 2.3 in | |
| September | 84°F (29°C) | 3.6 in | Wettest |
| October | 76°F (24°C) | 2.0 in | |
| November | 67°F (19°C) | 1.0 in | |
| December | 60°F (15°C) | 0.8 in |
Zapata has a seasonal temperature swing of 30°F / from 57°F in January to 87°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 20.0 inches, with September being the wettest month (3.6") and March the driest (0.8").