Climate - Austin (Texas)

The climate of Austin is subtropical, with mild winters and very hot, muggy summers.
The city is the capital city of Texas and is located on the 30th parallel, about 250 km (155 mi) away from the Gulf of Mexico.
Winter, from December to February, is mild, but there may be variations in temperature. Even in the middle of winter, there can be hot days, with highs of 25 °C (77 °F) and more. In other circumstances, it can get cold at night, and the temperature can drop below freezing.
Occasionally, there may be real cold waves, which last a few days, during which the temperature can drop to -10 °C (14 °F) or below. The record is -19 °C (-2 °F), recorded in January 1949. After 1980, the lowest values were -15.5 °C (4 °F) in December 1989 and -14 °C (7 °F) in February 2021.
Sometimes the dangerous phenomenon of freezing rain can occur.
Snowfalls in Austin are rare. Snowfalls with slight accumulation occurred in the Christmas of 2004 and in December 2017. In February 2021, snow depth reached 16 cm (6.4 in), which had not happened for decades.
In the summer, from June to September, the combination of high temperature and humidity makes the heat very unpleasant. On the hottest days, it can reach and exceed 40 °C (104 °F). The record is 44.5 °C (112 °F), recorded at the beginning of September 2000 and at the end of August 2011.
From time to time, the city can be reached by the remnants of a hurricane, coming from the Gulf of Mexico or the Pacific. In general, hurricanes weaken when they penetrate inland, however, they can still bring abundant rains. The hurricane season runs from June to November, although they are more likely from August to October, with a peak in September.
Austin is on the edge of the "tornado alley", so tornadoes can occasionally form between April and June (and more rarely in autumn).
The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 11.1 °C (52.1 °F), that of the warmest month (August) is of 30.2 °C (86.4 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 920 millimeters (36.2 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. In fact, the city is located halfway between the west of Texas, which is arid, and the east, which is rainy. The rainiest seasons are spring and autumn, due to the clash of air masses. Here is the average precipitation.

On average, there are around 2,645 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

Best Time

To visit Austin, you can choose spring and autumn (in particular, from mid-March to mid-April and from mid-October to mid-November), to avoid the summer heat. In winter, there are long mild periods, but some very cold days cannot be excluded.

Return to the climate of Texas.

Austin - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Austin is usually mild. The average temperature is of 11.2 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 5.4 °C (41.7 °F) and a maximum of 16.9 °C (62.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -5.5 °C (22 °F). However, it dropped to -12.2 °C (10 °F) in January 2010.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (80 °F). However, it reached 30.6 °C (87.1 °F) in January 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 50% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).

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In February, the weather in Austin is usually mild. The average temperature is of 13.4 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 7.7 °C (45.9 °F) and a maximum of 19.2 °C (66.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3 °C (26.5 °F). However, it dropped to -10.6 °C (12.9 °F) in February 2002.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29 °C (84 °F). However, it reached 37.2 °C (99 °F) in February 1996.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).

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In March, the weather in Austin is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 17.0 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 11.2 °C (52.2 °F) and a maximum of 22.9 °C (73.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1 °C (30.5 °F). However, it dropped to -8.3 °C (17.1 °F) in March 2002.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (88 °F). However, it reached 35.6 °C (96.1 °F) in March 1991.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).

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In April, the weather in Austin is usually warm. The average temperature is of 20.8 °C (70 °F), with a minimum of 14.9 °C (58.8 °F) and a maximum of 26.8 °C (80.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3.5 °C (38.5 °F). However, it dropped to -2.2 °C (28 °F) in April 2009.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91.5 °F). However, it reached 37.8 °C (100 °F) in April 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 53% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).

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In May, the weather in Austin is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 24.9 °C (77 °F), with a minimum of 19.3 °C (66.7 °F) and a maximum of 30.5 °C (86.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10.5 °C (50.5 °F). However, it dropped to 2.8 °C (37 °F) in May 2013.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95.5 °F). However, it reached 39 °C (102.2 °F) in May 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 130 mm (5.1 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 54% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).

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In June, the weather in Austin is usually very hot. The average temperature is of 28.4 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 22.7 °C (72.9 °F) and a maximum of 34 °C (93.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 17 °C (63 °F). However, it dropped to 13.3 °C (55.9 °F) in June 2009.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 37.5 °C (99.5 °F). However, it reached 42.8 °C (109 °F) in June 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 5 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 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 68% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).

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In July, the weather in Austin is usually very hot. The average temperature is of 29.9 °C (86 °F), with a minimum of 23.9 °C (75 °F) and a maximum of 35.9 °C (96.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 20 °C (67.5 °F). However, it dropped to 15.6 °C (60.1 °F) in July 2013.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 39 °C (102 °F). However, it reached 43.3 °C (109.9 °F) in July 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 74% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).

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In August, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Austin is usually very hot. The average temperature is of 30.2 °C (86 °F), with a minimum of 23.9 °C (75 °F) and a maximum of 36.6 °C (97.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 19 °C (66.5 °F). However, it dropped to 15 °C (59 °F) in August 2004.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 40 °C (103.5 °F). However, it reached 44.4 °C (111.9 °F) in August 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 73% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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In September, the weather in Austin is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 27.1 °C (81 °F), with a minimum of 21.2 °C (70.2 °F) and a maximum of 33 °C (91.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 12.5 °C (54.5 °F). However, it dropped to 7.8 °C (46 °F) in September 1999.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 37.5 °C (100 °F). However, it reached 44.4 °C (111.9 °F) in September 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 63% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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In October, the weather in Austin is usually warm. The average temperature is of 22.0 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 16 °C (60.8 °F) and a maximum of 28.1 °C (82.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4.5 °C (40 °F). However, it dropped to -1.1 °C (30 °F) in October 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (94 °F). However, it reached 37.2 °C (99 °F) in October 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 61% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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In November, the weather in Austin is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 16.1 °C (61 °F), with a minimum of 10.3 °C (50.5 °F) and a maximum of 21.9 °C (71.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1.5 °C (29.5 °F). However, it dropped to -5.6 °C (21.9 °F) in November 2010.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30 °C (86.5 °F). However, it reached 36.7 °C (98.1 °F) in November 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 53% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).

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In December, the weather in Austin is usually mild. The average temperature is of 12 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 6.3 °C (43.3 °F) and a maximum of 17.7 °C (63.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4 °C (24.5 °F). However, it dropped to -7.2 °C (19 °F) in December 1999.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27.5 °C (81 °F). However, it reached 30.6 °C (87.1 °F) in December 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 10 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).