The climate of Austin, TX
Austin has a humid subtropical type of climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) with long, hot summers and short, mild winters. Austin, the capital of
Texas, lies in Travis County of Central Texas, on the Colorado River. Austin is at the junction of four major natural environments, and its climate, therefore, combines tropical desert and wet weather characteristics.
Austin stands at an average altitude of 130 to 305 meters above sea level. The topography is made of gently rolling hills, lakes, and rivers of the Texas Hill Country in the western part of the city, while the eastern part is mostly flat. Austin lies in the middle of a narrow area that separates the southwest desert regions from the humid zones of the southeast.
Summers are extremely hot, with an average high temperature of 97°F (36.1°C) at the peak of
August. Approximately 16 days during the year are above 100°F (37.8°C), while 111 days cross 90°F (32.2°C). Winters range from warm to cool, with the average daily high temperatures mostly above 61°F (16.1°C). Nights rarely drop below freezing and mostly remain over 40°F (4.4°C) even in the cold season. The spring and autumn seasons tend to be pleasant with comfortable weather conditions.
Austin is mostly sunny and bright over the year, and the city registers 2630 hours of annual sunshine. The average annual precipitation is 34" (864mm) and distributes evenly during the year. Snowfall is rare in Austin, and even frost is occasional. The humidity is highly variable due to the constant clashes of air masses that travel from the Gulf of Mexico and the southwest desert lands. Austin lies in the southern part of the Tornado Alley of America and regularly faces storms and tornadoes.
The highest temperature on record in Austin is 112°F (44.4°C) on
September 5, 2000, while the lowest recorded temperature was 2°F (-16.7°C) on
January 31, 1949.
The best time to visit Austin, TX
The best time to visit
Austin is during the pleasant periods from
March to
April during the spring and
October to
November during the autumn. Early spring has temperatures in the mild range of 50°F (10°C) to 79°F (26.1°C) with little wet weather. Late autumn escapes from the clutches of the summer, ranges between a warm 50°F (10°C) to 81°F (27.2°C) and has moderate rain. Additionally, spring and autumn see a lesser number of extreme weather events compared to the summer.
The worst time to visit Austin, TX
May to
September is the worst time to visit
Austin, as the conditions are harsh due to the scorching sun during the summer. The summer is long with temperatures regularly over 95°F (35°C) and with many days crossing 100°F (37.8°C). The average high temperatures remain in the 87°F (30.6°C) to 97°F (36.1°C), and the heat is unbearable. Summer is also the period when thunderstorms, tornadoes, and other weather hazards have the maximum probability of occurrence.
Weather hazards
Austin is prone to thunderstorms, hurricanes, tornadoes, droughts, and floods, especially during late spring and the long summer. Storms are common owing to Austin's location in Central
Texas. Thunderstorms and hurricanes bring lightning, destructive winds and heavy rainfall in the region, which causes flash flooding and destruction on a large scale. Austin is part of the Tornado Alley of America and often faces storms of severe intensities. La Nina conditions in the Pacific Ocean are a threat to the city's rainfall - they were responsible for significantly less rainfall from
October 2010 to
September 2011.
Weather in January
January, the same as
December, in
Austin,
Texas, is another mild winter month, with an average temperature varying between 59.4°F (15.2°C) and 42.6°F (5.9°C). The coldest month is January, with an average high-temperature of 59.4°F (15.2°C) and an average low-temperature of 42.6°F (5.9°C).
Weather in January » Weather in February
The last month of the winter,
February, is an enjoyable month in
Austin,
Texas, with temperature in the range of an average high of 63°F (17.2°C) and an average low of 46.8°F (8.2°C). In Austin, the average high-temperature in February is practically the same as in
January - an enjoyable 63°F (17.2°C).
Weather in February »Weather in March
March, the first month of the spring in
Austin, is a pleasant month, with an average temperature ranging between max 70.3°F (21.3°C) and min 52.5°F (11.4°C). In Austin,
Texas, the average high-temperature in March slightly increases from an enjoyable 63°F (17.2°C) in
February to an agreeable 70.3°F (21.3°C).
Weather in March »
Weather in April
April in
Austin,
Texas, is a moderately hot spring month, with an average temperature fluctuating between 77.2°F (25.1°C) and 58.6°F (14.8°C). In Austin, Texas, the average high-temperature in April slightly increases from an agreeable 70.3°F (21.3°C) in
March to a moderately hot 77.2°F (25.1°C).
Weather in April » Weather in May
May, the last month of the spring in
Austin, is another warm month, with temperature in the range of an average high of 83.8°F (28.8°C) and an average low of 66°F (18.9°C). In May, the average high-temperature marginally rises from 77.2°F (25.1°C) in
April to a still warm 83.8°F (28.8°C).
Weather in May » Weather in June
June, the first month of the summer in
Austin, is a tropical month, with temperature in the range of an average high of 91.2°F (32.9°C) and an average low of 72.1°F (22.3°C). In Austin, the average high-temperature in June slightly increases from a moderately hot 83.8°F (28.8°C) in
May to a hot 91.2°F (32.9°C).
Weather in June »
Weather in July
July in
Austin,
Texas, is a sweltering summer month, with an average temperature fluctuating between 95.2°F (35.1°C) and 74.3°F (23.5°C). In July, the average high-temperature is relatively the same as in
June - a torrid 95.2°F (35.1°C).
Weather in July » Weather in August
August, the last month of the summer in
Austin, is also a sweltering month, with an average temperature ranging between max 96.4°F (35.8°C) and min 75.4°F (24.1°C). The warmest month is August, with an average high-temperature of 96.4°F (35.8°C) and an average low-temperature of 75.4°F (24.1°C). In August, the average heat index is computed to be a blazing hot 116.6°F (47°C).
Weather in August » Weather in September
The first month of the autumn,
September, is also a hot month in
Austin,
Texas, with an average temperature ranging between max 88.2°F (31.2°C) and min 70.9°F (21.6°C). In Austin, the average high-temperature in September slightly decreases from a torrid 96.4°F (35.8°C) in
August to a tropical 88.2°F (31.2°C).
Weather in September »
Weather in October
October, the same as
September, is another warm autumn month in
Austin,
Texas, with temperature in the range of an average low of 61°F (16.1°C) and an average high of 78.8°F (26°C). In October, the average high-temperature drops from a hot 88.2°F (31.2°C) in September to a warm 78.8°F (26°C).
Weather in October » Weather in November
November, the last month of the autumn in
Austin, is also an enjoyable month, with temperature in the range of an average low of 51.6°F (10.9°C) and an average high of 67.6°F (19.8°C). In Austin,
Texas, the average high-temperature in November drops from a moderately hot 78.8°F (26°C) in
October to a comfortable 67.6°F (19.8°C).
Weather in November » Weather in December
The first month of the winter,
December, is still a mild month in
Austin,
Texas, with an average temperature fluctuating between 45.1°F (7.3°C) and 60.3°F (15.7°C). In Austin, the average high-temperature in December slightly decreases from a comfortable 67.6°F (19.8°C) in
November to a moderate 60.3°F (15.7°C).
Weather in December » [Resources]