Climate - Amarillo (Texas)

The climate of Amarillo is continental, with fairly cold (but dry and sunny) winters, and hot, sunny summers, but with some thunderstorms.
The city is located in north-west Texas, on a plateau, at 1,100 meters (3,600 ft) above sea level, and is windy and exposed to clashes between air masses which cause sudden changes in temperature. We are in the northernmost part of Texas, the square called "Texas Panhandle", but also in the western part, the semi-arid one.
Both for the position (north and far from the sea) and for the altitude, in winter it is the coldest city in Texas. In this season, there are strong differences between the night, when the temperature drops below freezing, and the day, when the air is normally mild. However, there can also be real cold waves, when lows can drop to -20 °C (-4 °F). In recent decades, the cold record is -24 °C (-11 °F), recorded in January 1984 and in February 2021. Sometimes, however, the temperature can reach 25 °C (77 °F) even in the middle of winter.
On average, 45 centimeters (18 inches) of snow fall per year. It generally snows from November to March, but sometimes snow can also be seen in April and, very rarely, even in early May (as in 2005) and in late September (as in 1984).
In summer, there can be periods that are not too hot and with frequent thunderstorms, but also periods characterized by intense heat, with highs about 38/40 °C (100/104 °F), and even higher. The record heat is 44 °C (111 °F), recorded at the end of June 2011.
The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 3.6 °C (38.6 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 26.4 °C (79.6 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 500 millimeters (20 inches) per year: so, it is not abundant. Winter is the driest season. The rains occur mainly in the form of thunderstorms in the afternoon or in the evening, sometimes accompanied by hail, in late spring and summer. From April to June (and more rarely in autumn), tornadoes can also develop (we are actually in the so-called "Tornado Alley"). Here is the average precipitation.

On average, there are around 3,295 sunshine hours per year. Therefore, the sun shines very often. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

Best Time

In Amarillo, there is no month in which it cannot be either hot or cold (or both), however, spring and autumn can be chosen, even if they are unstable seasons, and in particular, the months of April and October.

Return to the climate of Texas.

Amarillo - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Amarillo is usually cold. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 3.6 °C (39 °F), with a minimum of -3.9 °C (25 °F) and a maximum of 11.2 °C (52.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -13 °C (8.5 °F). However, it dropped to -19.4 °C (-2.9 °F) in January 2017.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22 °C (72 °F). However, it reached 26.1 °C (79 °F) in January 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 71% of the time.
The average humidity is 55%.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).

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In February, the weather in Amarillo is usually quite cold. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 5.4 °C (42 °F), with a minimum of -2.5 °C (27.5 °F) and a maximum of 13.4 °C (56.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -11.5 °C (11.5 °F). However, it dropped to -21.1 °C (-6 °F) in February 2011.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25.5 °C (77.5 °F). However, it reached 31.7 °C (89.1 °F) in February 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 15 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 70% of the time.
The average humidity is 53%.
The average wind speed is 21 kph (13 mph).

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In March, the weather in Amarillo is usually mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 9.9 °C (50 °F), with a minimum of 1.6 °C (34.9 °F) and a maximum of 18.2 °C (64.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -8 °C (17.5 °F). However, it dropped to -16.1 °C (3 °F) in March 2014.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (85 °F). However, it reached 33.3 °C (91.9 °F) in March 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 72% of the time.
The average humidity is 49%.
The average wind speed is 22 kph (14 mph).

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In April, the weather in Amarillo is usually mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 14.1 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 5.8 °C (42.4 °F) and a maximum of 22.4 °C (72.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2.5 °C (27 °F). However, it dropped to -8.3 °C (17.1 °F) in April 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (89.5 °F). However, it reached 37.2 °C (99 °F) in April 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 77% of the time.
The average humidity is 46%.
The average wind speed is 24 kph (15 mph).

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In May, the weather in Amarillo is usually warm. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 19.3 °C (67 °F), with a minimum of 11.4 °C (52.5 °F) and a maximum of 27.2 °C (81 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3 °C (37 °F). However, it dropped to -2.8 °C (27 °F) in May 2013.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95 °F). However, it reached 40 °C (104 °F) in May 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 5 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 10.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 74% of the time.
The average humidity is 51%.
The average wind speed is 22 kph (14 mph).

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In June, the weather in Amarillo is usually warm to hot. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 24.5 °C (76 °F), with a minimum of 16.9 °C (62.4 °F) and a maximum of 32.1 °C (89.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10.5 °C (51 °F). However, it dropped to 6 °C (42.8 °F) in June 1998.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 38 °C (100.5 °F). However, it reached 43.9 °C (111 °F) in June 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 30 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 11.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 79% of the time.
The average humidity is 52%.
The average wind speed is 23 kph (14 mph).

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In July, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Amarillo is usually warm to hot. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 26.4 °C (80 °F), with a minimum of 19.1 °C (66.4 °F) and a maximum of 33.8 °C (92.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 14.5 °C (58.5 °F). However, it dropped to 11.7 °C (53.1 °F) in July 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 38.5 °C (101.5 °F). However, it reached 43.3 °C (109.9 °F) in July 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 11.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 81% of the time.
The average humidity is 51%.
The average wind speed is 20 kph (12 mph).

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In August, the weather in Amarillo is usually warm to hot. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 25.6 °C (78 °F), with a minimum of 18.5 °C (65.3 °F) and a maximum of 32.8 °C (91 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 14 °C (57 °F). However, it dropped to 8.9 °C (48 °F) in August 2010.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 37.5 °C (99 °F). However, it reached 41.7 °C (107.1 °F) in August 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 10.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 78% of the time.
The average humidity is 55%.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).

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In September, the weather in Amarillo is usually warm. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 21.6 °C (71 °F), with a minimum of 14.3 °C (57.7 °F) and a maximum of 28.9 °C (84 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6.5 °C (44 °F). However, it dropped to 0.6 °C (33.1 °F) in September 1999.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (96.5 °F). However, it reached 40 °C (104 °F) in September 2014.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 71% of the time.
The average humidity is 57%.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).

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In October, the weather in Amarillo is usually very mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 15.1 °C (59 °F), with a minimum of 7.4 °C (45.3 °F) and a maximum of 22.8 °C (73 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2 °C (28 °F). However, it dropped to -11.1 °C (12 °F) in October 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32.5 °C (90 °F). However, it reached 37.2 °C (99 °F) in October 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 77% of the time.
The average humidity is 55%.
The average wind speed is 20 kph (13 mph).

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In November, the weather in Amarillo is usually mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 8.6 °C (47 °F), with a minimum of 0.8 °C (33.4 °F) and a maximum of 16.3 °C (61.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -8.5 °C (16.5 °F). However, it dropped to -13.9 °C (7 °F) in November 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C (80.5 °F). However, it reached 30.6 °C (87.1 °F) in November 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 68% of the time.
The average humidity is 54%.
The average wind speed is 20 kph (13 mph).

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In December, the weather in Amarillo is usually cold. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 3.8 °C (39 °F), with a minimum of -3.5 °C (25.7 °F) and a maximum of 11.1 °C (52 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -13 °C (9 °F). However, it dropped to -19.4 °C (-2.9 °F) in December 2005.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22.5 °C (72.5 °F). However, it reached 26 °C (78.8 °F) in December 1996.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 50 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 66% of the time.
The average humidity is 57%.
The average wind speed is 20 kph (12 mph).