Texas goes through some pretty wild weather swings all year long, thanks to its sheer size and mix of landscapes. You’ll find everything from muggy, subtropical air in the east to dry, desert heat out west. This mix means the weather can change a lot month to month.
If you get a handle on monthly weather patterns, you can actually prepare for just about anything, from blazing summer heat to those surprise winter freezes. Every Texas region moves to its own beat—coastal spots stay pretty mild, but the inland areas? They get some real extremes. Texas’s location also leaves it wide open to severe weather events during certain months.
Weather data shows clear trends across Texas’s regions and seasons. Spring tornadoes, summer drought, the occasional winter storm—each month throws its own curveballs. If you know what’s coming, you can plan travel, outdoor stuff, or just your daily schedule a whole lot better.
Overview of Monthly Weather in Texas
Texas weather jumps around a lot each month, mostly because the state is so big and so different from one end to the other. Winter lows can dip into the 30s, while summer highs often climb into the mid-90s.
You’ll see most of the rain in spring and fall. Summer humidity gets downright sticky in the east.
Typical Monthly Temperature Ranges
Texas’s four main climate zones show off some serious seasonal changes. Winter, from December through February, brings the chilliest weather statewide.
In January, El Paso can drop to 35°F, while Houston hangs around 47°F. Highs in January range from 57°F in Dallas up to 64°F in Houston.
July and August are the real scorchers. Dallas and Austin top out at 95-96°F, while Houston, thanks to the coast, usually stays a smidge cooler at 94°F.
Spring heats up fast between March and May. March highs reach the 70s across Texas, and by May, you’ll see 80s and low 90s.
Fall cools things down, but it’s a slow fade from September to November. September still feels hot, with highs in the upper 80s and low 90s. By November, you finally get those comfy 60s and 70s.
The Texas climate swings the most in the north and west, while the humid coast stays more even.
Average Rainfall and Precipitation Trends
Weather patterns in Texas give each region its own wet and dry seasons. Eastern Texas soaks up way more rain than the dry west.
Spring is the wettest for most of Texas. May tops the charts—Houston gets 4.3 inches, Dallas 4.2, and Austin 3.8.
Summer rain depends on where you are. Houston keeps getting 3.2-3.3 inches in July and August. Dallas and Austin dry out, getting just 1.6-1.8 inches.
El Paso barely sees rain—less than 0.5 inches monthly, except for a quick bump to 1.3-1.5 inches during July and August’s monsoon.
Fall brings more rain to eastern Texas. Houston sees a spike in October with 4.4 inches, and central Texas picks up a bit too.
Winter’s not too wet or dry. Most places get 2-3 inches a month, but Houston can edge up to 3.4 inches in January.
Humidity and Sunshine Hours by Month
Texas humidity jumps all over the map, from bone-dry deserts out west to sticky forests in the east. Summer is the muggiest, especially out east.
July and August get really muggy statewide. Houston suffers through 30+ muggy days each summer month, Dallas gets 22-25, and Austin lands somewhere in between with 25-27.
El Paso stays dry almost all year. Only July and August bring a hint of muggy air.
Daylight follows the usual seasonal cycle. June gives you over 14 hours of sunshine, while winter drops down to about 10-10.5 hours.
Clear skies depend on where and when. El Paso enjoys the most sun—clear 64-80% of the time. Houston and other eastern cities see more clouds, especially in summer, with only 52-53% clear skies.
Spring and fall usually feel the best, with a nice mix of comfortable temps and clear days.
Weather Patterns by Region in Texas
Texas’s huge size means the climate is all over the place, from humid subtropical in the east to dry desert in the west. Each region gets its own blend of temperatures, rainfall, and seasonal quirks.
Weather Differences Between North and South Texas
North Texas gets much colder in winter than the south. The panhandle can rack up 25 to 30 inches of snow, while South Texas almost never sees flakes.
Winter temps up north can plunge to -23°F. South Texas, on the other hand, rarely drops below freezing, keeping things pretty mild.
Both regions roast in the summer, but North Texas has bigger temperature swings. Up north, you’ll sweat through hot summers and then shiver in cold winters.
North Texas in a nutshell:
- Cold, snowy winters
- Hot, dry summers
- Wild temperature swings
- More severe storms and tornadoes
South Texas, thanks to the Gulf, stays steadier all year. The ocean helps keep things from getting too wild.
Coastal vs Inland Monthly Climate
Coastal Texas is way wetter than inland parts. East Texas, right by the Gulf, can see up to 60 inches of rain a year—the most in the state.
Humidity stays high along the coast, and Gulf breezes help cool things off in summer, making the heat a bit more bearable.
Rainfall by region:
- Coastal: Up to 60 inches yearly, especially in spring and fall
- Central Texas: 21-35 inches
- West Texas: About 15 inches
Inland areas, without the ocean nearby, get hotter in summer and colder in winter.
Hurricane season runs June through November for the coast. These storms bring heavy rain and strong winds to Gulf communities.
West Texas and Desert Monthly Weather
West Texas is the driest part of the state, with only about 15 inches of rain a year. It’s basically semi-arid to full-on desert.
Summer temps here can go nuts, sometimes hitting 120°F. Nights cool off sharply, even after a blazing day.
Desert weather highlights:
- Very little rain
- Huge swings between day and night temps
- Brutal summer heat
- Cool nights anytime
Mountains in West Texas get more snow than the flat desert. You might see snow up high while the valleys stay dry.
The dry air out west makes the heat a little easier to handle than the muggy east, but the strong sun and clear skies make for tough afternoons.
Winter days feel mild, but cold snaps can hit fast. You’ll find some of the clearest skies and lowest humidity in the state here.
Seasonal Changes Throughout the Year
Texas rolls through four seasons, with winters that stay mild and summers that get seriously hot. Rainfall patterns change a lot depending on where you are.
Winter Weather Characteristics
Texas winters feel tame compared to up north. Highs sit between 57°F and 64°F in the big cities. Lows usually run from 35°F to 47°F.
North Texas gets colder than the south. Dallas’s lows hover around 39°F to 43°F, while Houston stays warmer, rarely dipping below 47°F.
Winter is the driest stretch. Most places get just a little rain. El Paso barely gets 0.3 inches in January and February.
Snow falls now and then in the north, but it’s rare. Most of Texas enjoys about 300 sunny days a year, and winter adds plenty of bright ones.
Winds don’t get too wild in winter. Dallas averages 10.3 mph, and Houston comes in a bit calmer at 8.8 mph.
Spring Temperature and Rainfall
Spring warms up Texas fast. March highs hit 69°F to 74°F, and by May, you’re looking at 84°F to 89°F.
Nights get nicer, too. Lows move up from the 50s in March to the upper 60s by May.
Spring brings a lot more rain. May is one of the wettest months—Houston gets 4.3 inches, Dallas 4.2.
You’ll see more clouds in spring than winter. Clear skies range from 58% to 65% depending on where you are.
Winds pick up in spring, too. March is usually the windiest, with Dallas averaging 11.5 mph.
Summer Heat and Precipitation
Summer in Texas is no joke. July and August are the hottest, with highs soaring to 94°F to 96°F. El Paso is just a hair cooler at 95°F.
Nights offer little break. Lows stick between 70°F and 77°F, with Houston sweating it out at 77°F.
Humidity cranks up during summer:
- Houston: muggy over 30 days a month
- Dallas: about 25 muggy days
- El Paso: mostly dry, just 1-2 muggy days
Rain in summer depends on location. Houston keeps getting steady showers, but inland cities dry out. July and August usually see less rain than spring.
Autumn Climate Dynamics
Autumn finally cools things off. September highs drop to 88°F to 90°F, and by December, you’re back to a comfy 57°F to 66°F.
October is often the nicest month—clear skies jump to 69% to 77%, and humidity drops way down.
Rain picks up a bit in October. Houston gets 4.4 inches, Austin 3.1.
Winds start to climb as fall heads toward winter. November gets breezier, and that trend keeps going into the colder months.
Daylight shrinks from over 13 hours in September to about 10 hours by December. Winter’s just around the corner.
Extreme Weather Events by Month
Texas faces a mix of extreme weather every year. Tornadoes hit hardest in spring, hurricanes threaten the coast from June through November, and dangerous heat waves take over in summer.
Monthly Risk of Tornadoes
Tornado season peaks from April through June. May is the worst, with 30-40 tornadoes on average across Texas.
Cold, dry air from the north slams into warm, moist Gulf air, and that’s when things get dicey.
Spring tornado rundown:
- March: Activity starts picking up
- April: Big jump in severe storms
- May: Most tornadoes and the nastiest storms
- June: Still active, especially up north
North Texas and the Panhandle get hit the hardest. They sit right in “Tornado Alley,” so supercells are common.
Fall tornadoes can pop up in October and November, but they’re usually weaker and less frequent than in spring.
Winter tornadoes almost never happen, but the Gulf Coast can see one now and then, usually when strong cold fronts push through East Texas.
Hurricane and Tropical Storm Seasonality
Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. In Texas, the highest risk comes in August and September, when Gulf waters heat up.
Monthly hurricane risk:
- June-July: Early storms show up, but they’re usually weaker.
- August: The risk jumps up a lot.
- September: Major hurricanes are most likely now.
- October: Still dangerous, and storms can get more intense.
- November: The risk drops off quickly.
The Texas coast stretches more than 350 miles along the Gulf of Mexico. This long coastline leaves Texas wide open to direct hits and near-misses from tropical systems.
Major hurricane threats usually show up between mid-August and early October. Warm Gulf waters above 80°F really help storms grow stronger.
Tropical storms can pop up earlier in the season. Even without hurricane-force winds, these systems dump heavy rain and bring flood risks.
Late-season storms in October can suddenly get stronger fast. When cooler air moves in, storms near land can actually become more dangerous.
Monthly Occurrence of Heatwaves and Drought
Extreme heat rules Texas summers, especially in July and August. Temperatures above 100°F aren’t unusual, especially for big parts of the state.
Heat waves tend to start in June and stick around through September. Places like Dallas and Houston feel the heat island effect, which means nights stay warmer than you’d expect.
Monthly heat patterns:
- June: First 100-degree days usually show up.
- July: The heat peaks, with lots of days over 100°F in a row.
- August: Intense heat continues, sometimes feeling endless.
- September: It finally starts to cool, but heat can still be a problem.
Drought conditions can show up any time, but summer makes things worse. How much rain falls in the spring usually decides how rough the summer drought gets.
West Texas gets hit hardest by extreme heat. In peak summer, that region often sees temperatures over 105°F.
Recent climate data points to more 100-degree days than before. Many Texas cities now deal with 10-20 extra extreme heat days compared to past decades.
Drought impacts change depending on where you are and the time of year. East Texas usually gets more rain, while the west often stays dry all year.
How to Interpret Monthly Weather Data
Weather data highlights patterns using temperature ranges, rainfall amounts, and historical comparisons. Texas climate charts use visuals and stats to help people make sense of local weather.
Understanding Local Forecasts
Weather charts show temperature info with colored bars and bands. The dark blue bars mark the actual high and low for each day.
A green band shows normal temperature ranges for that season. This lets you see if the current weather matches up with what’s typical.
Charts use colored bands for record temperatures. Light pink means record highs, and light blue marks record lows.
Stars highlight when records get broken or tied. Red stars mean a new high, blue stars show a new low.
Rainfall appears as monthly totals in inches. Many charts compare current rainfall to the average for that month.
Comparing Historical Averages to Current Trends
Historical averages use 30 years of weather data. These numbers set the baseline for what’s “normal” in Texas.
Monthly averages include highs, lows, and total rainfall. By comparing current numbers to these, you can spot patterns.
Temperature departures show how much warmer or cooler it is than average. If you see +5°F, that means temps are five degrees above normal.
You can spot seasonal patterns by looking at several years of data. Texas weather has clear wet and dry spells throughout the year.
Climate data can help predict future trends. Over decades, you’ll see shifts in both temperature and rainfall.
Tips for Experiencing Texas Weather Month by Month
Texas weather changes a lot by region and season, so you really need to plan ahead. If you pay attention to monthly patterns and dress for the season, you’ll stay a lot more comfortable.
Travel Planning Based on Weather
Best Travel Months: February through April usually feel the nicest across Texas. Temps run between 60°F and 80°F, and it’s not too humid.
Summer Considerations: June through August get extremely hot, especially in central and western Texas. If you visit then, it’s smart to plan indoor activities between 11 AM and 4 PM.
Winter Planning: December and January bring the coldest weather. Northern Texas can see freezing temps and, every now and then, a bit of snow.
Regional Timing: East Texas stays humid until October. West Texas has better fall weather, with dry air and milder temps. The coast stays warm longer, but hurricane season runs from June to November.
Monthly Events: Spring wildflowers peak in March and April. Summer festivals mean you need to watch out for the heat. Fall events work best in November, after things finally cool down.
Clothing and Outdoors Preparation by Season
Winter Layers (December-February): If you’re heading to the northern parts, grab a warm jacket—temperatures can dip below freezing. Down south, you probably just need a light sweater and some long pants since it hovers around 50°F to 60°F most days.
Spring Essentials (March-May): Texas weather gets unpredictable, so pack layers to handle those swings. You’ll want rain gear for the sudden storms. Trust me, comfortable walking shoes make wildflower season way better.
Summer Protection (June-August): Go for light-colored, loose-fitting clothes to stay cooler. A wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses really help when the sun gets relentless. Don’t forget to carry water bottles if you’re spending time outside.
Fall Comfort (September-November): Light jackets come in handy for chilly mornings. T-shirts usually feel just right by afternoon. Hiking? Comfortable shoes are a must.
Year-Round Items: Always keep sunscreen handy—the Texas sun doesn’t mess around. In humid eastern areas, insect repellent makes a big difference.