Climate - Galveston (Texas)

The climate of Galveston is subtropical, with mild winters (though characterized by short cold waves) and long, hot and humid summers, during which there are quite frequent thunderstorms.
The city is located on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, on a barrier island. In summer, the waters that surround it make the climate particularly muggy, but with temperatures a little lower than in inland areas. Further north and overlooking Galveston Bay is the city of Houston.
The winter, from December to February, is mild.
The sun shines quite often, although there are periods characterized by clouds, rain and wind.
There may be pleasantly warm periods even in the middle of winter, when the temperature can reach or exceed 20 °C (68 °F).
However, there may also be short cold spells of 2 or 3 days, in which the minimum temperature drops around freezing, and the maximum remains around 5-7 °C (41/45 °F) or even below. Sometimes it can even snow.
More rarely, quite intense frosts can occur. In recent decades, the record is -10.5 °C (13 °F), recorded in December 1989. In February 2021, the temperature dropped to -7 °C (19.5 °F).
The summer, from June to September, is hot and muggy. Due to high humidity the heat is sweltering, even though the breeze blows from the sea. On the hottest days, the temperature usually reaches 35/37 °C (95/99 °F). In September 2000, it reached 40 °C (104 °F).
The sun often shines, but the sky is not always clear, as cloud coverings can form, which can give rise to thunderstorms.
From June to November (but with a higher probability from August to October), there is the risk of hurricanes. Being a city set on a flat island, Galveston is particularly exposed. It was hit hard by the "Galveston hurricane" in September 1900, by hurricane Alicia in August 1983, and by hurricane Ike in September 2008.
The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 13.4 °C (56 °F), that of the warmest month (August) is of 29.9 °C (85.9 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 1,200 millimeters (47.2 inches) per year: it is therefore quite abundant. It ranges from 50 mm (2 in) in the driest month (April) to 170 mm (6.7 in) in the wettest (September). Here is the average precipitation.

On average, there are around 2,700 sunshine hours per year. So Galveston is a sunny city. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

The sea temperature ranges between 17.5 °C (63.5 °F) and 29.5 °C (85 °F). In winter, the sea is cold, while it becomes very warm in summer. Here are the average sea temperatures.

Best Time

To visit Galveston, 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 cold days cannot be excluded.

Return to the climate of Texas.

Galveston - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Galveston is usually mild. The average temperature is of 13.4 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 9.4 °C (48.9 °F) and a maximum of 17.3 °C (63.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1.5 °C (34.5 °F). However, it dropped to -3.9 °C (25 °F) in January 2018.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23.5 °C (74 °F). However, it reached 28 °C (82.4 °F) in January 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 110 mm (4.3 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18 °C (64.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In February, the weather in Galveston is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 15.2 °C (59 °F), with a minimum of 11.3 °C (52.3 °F) and a maximum of 19.1 °C (66.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4 °C (39 °F). However, it dropped to -4 °C (24.8 °F) in February 2011.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24 °C (75.5 °F). However, it reached 27.2 °C (81 °F) in February 1993.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 52% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In March, the weather in Galveston is usually warm. The average temperature is of 18.4 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 14.7 °C (58.4 °F) and a maximum of 22.2 °C (72 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6.5 °C (43.5 °F). However, it dropped to 0 °C (32 °F) in March 2002.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26 °C (79 °F). However, it reached 31.1 °C (88 °F) in March 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 7 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 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 20 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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In April, the weather in Galveston is usually warm. The average temperature is of 21.9 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 18.3 °C (65 °F) and a maximum of 25.6 °C (78 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11 °C (51.5 °F). However, it dropped to 5 °C (41 °F) in April 2007.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29 °C (84 °F). However, it reached 35 °C (95 °F) in April 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 21 kph (13 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 21 °C (70 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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In May, the weather in Galveston is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 25.7 °C (78 °F), with a minimum of 22.4 °C (72.4 °F) and a maximum of 28.9 °C (84 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 17 °C (62.5 °F). However, it dropped to 10 °C (50 °F) in May 2013.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (88.5 °F). However, it reached 33.9 °C (93 °F) in May 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 63% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 20 kph (13 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 24.5 °C (76.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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In June, the weather in Galveston is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 28.8 °C (84 °F), with a minimum of 25.6 °C (78.1 °F) and a maximum of 31.9 °C (89.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 22 °C (71 °F). However, it dropped to 18.3 °C (64.9 °F) in June 2019.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92.5 °F). However, it reached 37.8 °C (100 °F) in June 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 105 mm (4.1 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 0 minutes. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 71% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28 °C (82.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In July, the weather in Galveston is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 29.7 °C (85 °F), with a minimum of 26.5 °C (79.7 °F) and a maximum of 32.9 °C (91.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 23 °C (73.5 °F). However, it dropped to 21.7 °C (71.1 °F) in July 2000.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (94 °F). However, it reached 38 °C (100.4 °F) in July 1991.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 72% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29.5 °C (84.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In August, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Galveston is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 29.9 °C (86 °F), with a minimum of 26.6 °C (79.8 °F) and a maximum of 33.3 °C (92 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 23.5 °C (74 °F). However, it dropped to 21.1 °C (70 °F) in August 2017.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C (96 °F). However, it reached 38 °C (100.4 °F) in August 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 120 mm (4.7 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 69% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29.5 °C (85.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In September, the weather in Galveston is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 28 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 24.5 °C (76.1 °F) and a maximum of 31.5 °C (88.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 19.5 °C (67 °F). However, it dropped to 14.4 °C (57.9 °F) in September 2000.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93.5 °F). However, it reached 40 °C (104 °F) in September 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 170 mm (6.7 in), distributed over 10 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 64% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29 °C (84 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In October, the weather in Galveston is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 24.1 °C (75 °F), with a minimum of 20.3 °C (68.6 °F) and a maximum of 27.8 °C (82.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12 °C (54 °F). However, it dropped to 3.3 °C (37.9 °F) in October 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (88.5 °F). However, it reached 33.3 °C (91.9 °F) in October 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 130 mm (5.1 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 67% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 26 °C (79 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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In November, the weather in Galveston is usually warm. The average temperature is of 18.6 °C (66 °F), with a minimum of 14.8 °C (58.7 °F) and a maximum of 22.4 °C (72.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6 °C (42.5 °F). However, it dropped to 0.8 °C (33.4 °F) in November 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27.5 °C (81.5 °F). However, it reached 29.4 °C (84.9 °F) in November 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 110 mm (4.3 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22.5 °C (73 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.

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In December, the weather in Galveston is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 14.8 °C (59 °F), with a minimum of 10.9 °C (51.6 °F) and a maximum of 18.6 °C (65.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3 °C (37.5 °F). However, it dropped to -3 °C (26.6 °F) in December 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25 °C (76.5 °F). However, it reached 27.2 °C (81 °F) in December 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 105 mm (4.1 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 20 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 47% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20 °C (68 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.