Climate - Harlingen (Texas)

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The climate of Harlingen is sub-tropical, with a very mild winter (but with the possibility of short cold spells) and a very hot, muggy summer.
The city is located in the southern tip of Texas, near the Mexican border, and 50 km (30 mi) away from the coast.
We are on the 26th parallel, not far from the Tropic, and indeed the hot season is very long.
The winter, from December to February, is very mild.
The sun shines quite often, although there are periods characterized by clouds, rain and wind.
There may be warm periods even in the middle of winter, with highs around 25 °C (77 °F) and more, sometimes even 30 °C (86 °F).
However, there may also be brief cold periods, with highs below 10 °C (50 °F). Very rarely, as happened on Christmas 2004, in December 2017 and in February 2021, it can even snow. In recent decades, the record is -8 °C (17.5 °F), recorded in December 1989. In February 2021, the temperature reached -5.5 °C (22 °F).
The summer, from June to September, is very hot and sunny, with some thunderstorms. There combination of humidity and temperature makes the heat sweltering.
There can be long, very hot periods even in May and October, and sometimes in late April, while for short periods, the temperature can reach about 40 °C (104 °F) from March to September. The record is 42 °C (107.5 °F), last recorded in early September 2000.
From June to November (but with a higher probability from August to October), there is the risk of hurricanes. The city was hit hard by Hurricane Dolly in late July 2008.
The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 15.6 °C (60 °F), that of the warmest month (August) is of 29.5 °C (85 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 640 millimeters (25.2 inches) per year. It ranges from 25 mm (1 in) in the driest month (January) to 135 mm (5.3 in) in the wettest (September). We are in the westernmost part, the driest of the Texan coast. Here is the average precipitation.

On average, there are around 2,750 sunshine hours per year. So the city is sunny. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

The sea temperature ranges between 20 °C (68 °F) and 29 °C (84 °F). From January to March, the sea is very cool, while it becomes pleasantly warm for swimming from June to October. Here are the average sea temperatures.

Best Time

The best time to visit Harlingen is from November to March. Winter, from December to February, is generally a mild season, although it can sometimes get cold (especially in December and January). You can therefore choose the months of March and November.

Return to the climate of Texas.