Climate - Houston (Texas)
Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
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Climate chart - Houston
The climate of Houston is subtropical, with mild winters and very hot, muggy summers.
The city is located not far from the sea (the center is 75 km or 45 miles away from the Gulf of Mexico, but the southeastern suburbs are much closer), it is also surrounded by lakes (Lake Houston to the north) and bays, and it is located in a marshy and flood-prone area.
At the George Bush airport, which is located in the northern part of the city (therefore the one furthest from the sea), the average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 12.1 °C (54 °F), that of the warmest months (July and August) is of 29.5 °C (85 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Houston - Average temperatures (1991-2020) | Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
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| January | 6.5 | 17.7 | 12.1 | 44 | 64 | 53.8 |
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| February | 8.7 | 19.9 | 14.3 | 48 | 68 | 57.7 |
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| March | 12 | 23.3 | 17.7 | 54 | 74 | 63.8 |
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| April | 15.4 | 26.7 | 21.1 | 60 | 80 | 69.9 |
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| May | 19.9 | 30.5 | 25.2 | 68 | 87 | 77.4 |
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| June | 23.2 | 33.5 | 28.3 | 74 | 92 | 83 |
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| July | 24.3 | 34.7 | 29.5 | 76 | 94 | 85.1 |
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| August | 24.1 | 34.9 | 29.5 | 75 | 95 | 85.1 |
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| September | 21.4 | 32.4 | 26.9 | 71 | 90 | 80.5 |
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| October | 16.1 | 28.2 | 22.1 | 61 | 83 | 71.9 |
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| November | 10.8 | 22.6 | 16.7 | 51 | 73 | 62.1 |
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| December | 7.6 | 18.5 | 13 | 46 | 65 | 55.5 |
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| Year | 15.9 | 27 | 21.35 | 60.6 | 80.5 | 70.5 |
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Precipitation amounts to 1,315 millimeters (51.8 inches) per year: it is therefore quite abundant. It ranges from 75 mm (3 in) in the driest month (February) to 150 mm (5.9 in) in the wettest (June). Here is the average precipitation.
Houston - Average precipitation| Month | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
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| January | 95 | 3.7 | 10 |
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| February | 75 | 3 | 9 |
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| March | 90 | 3.5 | 9 |
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| April | 100 | 3.9 | 7 |
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| May | 125 | 4.9 | 9 |
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| June | 150 | 5.9 | 10 |
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| July | 95 | 3.7 | 9 |
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| August | 125 | 4.9 | 8 |
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| September | 120 | 4.7 | 8 |
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| October | 140 | 5.5 | 8 |
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| November | 100 | 3.9 | 8 |
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| December | 100 | 3.9 | 10 |
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| Year | 1315 | 51.8 | 104 |
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The winter, from December to February, is mild.
The sun shines quite often, although there are periods characterized by clouds, rain and wind.
Normally the days are mild, but at night it is often cold, and the temperature can approach the freezing point.
There may be warm periods even in the middle of winter, when the temperature can reach or exceed 25 °C (77 °F).
However, there may also be cold periods, with highs below 5 °C (41 °F).
Snow in Houston is rare. Generally, only a few centimeters (1 in = 2.5 cm) of snow fall. Normally, you have to wait two or three years between a snowfall with slight accumulation and the next.
On the coldest days of the year, the temperature generally drops slightly below freezing. However, from time to time there can be more intense cold spells, in which the temperature drops to around -10 °C (14 °F). In recent decades, the record is -14 °C (7 °F), recorded in December 1989. In February 2021, the temperature dropped to -10.5 °C (13 °F).
The summer, from June to September, is very hot, with a combination of humidity and temperature that makes the heat sweltering.
On the hottest days of the year, it usually reaches 38/40 °C (100/104 °F). The record is 43 °C (109.5 °F), recorded il early September 2000 and in August 2011.
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. The city was hit hard by the hurricanes Alicia in August 1983 and Harvey in late August 2017.
Spring and autumn, from March to May and from early October to late November, are generally warm to hot seasons, with infrequent rains (but when it rains, the rains can be abundant).
Sometimes there can be some bursts of cold air, especially in March and November, which generally bring a bit of cold especially at night.
On average, there are around 2,575 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.
Houston - Sunshine hours| Month | Average | Total |
|---|
January | 4.5 | 145 | February | 5.5 | 155 | March | 6 | 190 | April | 7 | 210 | May | 8 | 250 | June | 9.5 | 280 | July | 9.5 | 295 | August | 8.5 | 270 | September | 8 | 235 | October | 7.5 | 230 | November | 5.5 | 170 | December | 5 | 150 | Year | 7.1 | 2580 |
On the coast south of Houston, the sea temperature ranges between 17.5 °C (63.5 °F) and 29.5 °C (85 °F). In winter, the sea is quite cold, while it becomes very warm in summer. Here are the average sea temperatures.
Houston - Sea temperature| Month | Celsius (°C) | Fahrenheit (°F) |
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January | 18 | 64 | February | 17.5 | 63 | March | 18.5 | 65 | April | 21 | 70 | May | 24.5 | 76 | June | 28 | 82 | July | 29.5 | 85 | August | 29.5 | 85 | September | 29 | 84 | October | 26 | 79 | November | 22.5 | 73 | December | 20 | 68 | Year | 23.7 | 74.7 |
Best Time
To visit Houston, 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.
Houston - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Houston is usually mild. The average temperature is of 12.1 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 6.5 °C (43.7 °F) and a maximum of 17.7 °C (63.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2.5 °C (27.5 °F). However, it dropped to -7.2 °C (19 °F) in January 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26 °C (78.5 °F). However, it reached 28.3 °C (82.9 °F) in January 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 10 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 44% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18 °C (64.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
In February, the weather in Houston is usually mild. The average temperature is of 14.3 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 8.7 °C (47.6 °F) and a maximum of 19.9 °C (67.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0 °C (31.5 °F). However, it dropped to -6.1 °C (21 °F) in February 2011.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27.5 °C (81 °F). However, it reached 32.2 °C (90 °F) in February 1996.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
In March, the weather in Houston is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 17.7 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 12 °C (53.6 °F) and a maximum of 23.3 °C (74 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1.5 °C (35 °F). However, it dropped to -5.6 °C (21.9 °F) in March 2002.
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 32.2 °C (90 °F) in March 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 52% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.
In April, the weather in Houston is usually warm. The average temperature is of 21.1 °C (70 °F), with a minimum of 15.4 °C (59.8 °F) and a maximum of 26.7 °C (80.1 °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 2.8 °C (37 °F) in April 2007.
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 April 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 7 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).
The average sea temperature is of 21 °C (70 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.
In May, the weather in Houston is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 25.2 °C (77 °F), with a minimum of 19.9 °C (67.8 °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 12 °C (53.5 °F). However, it dropped to 5.6 °C (42.1 °F) in May 2013.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (93.5 °F). However, it reached 37.2 °C (99 °F) in May 1996.
Precipitation amounts to 125 mm (4.9 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 59% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 24.5 °C (76.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.
In June, the weather in Houston is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 28.3 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 23.2 °C (73.7 °F) and a maximum of 33.5 °C (92.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 19 °C (66.5 °F). However, it dropped to 13.3 °C (55.9 °F) in June 1996.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 36.5 °C (97.5 °F). However, it reached 41.7 °C (107.1 °F) in June 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 150 mm (5.9 in), distributed over 10 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 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 67% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28 °C (82.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
In July, the weather in Houston is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 29.5 °C (85 °F), with a minimum of 24.3 °C (75.7 °F) and a maximum of 34.7 °C (94.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 21.5 °C (70.5 °F). However, it dropped to 17.8 °C (64 °F) in July 1994.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 37 °C (99 °F). However, it reached 39.4 °C (102.9 °F) in July 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 69% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29.5 °C (84.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
In August, the hottest month of the year, the weather in Houston is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 29.5 °C (85 °F), with a minimum of 24.1 °C (75.4 °F) and a maximum of 34.9 °C (94.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 21 °C (70 °F). However, it dropped to 15.6 °C (60.1 °F) in August 1992.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 38.5 °C (101 °F). However, it reached 42.8 °C (109 °F) in August 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 125 mm (4.9 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 66% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29.5 °C (85.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
In September, the weather in Houston is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 26.9 °C (80 °F), with a minimum of 21.4 °C (70.6 °F) and a maximum of 32.4 °C (90.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 14.5 °C (58 °F). However, it dropped to 9 °C (48.2 °F) in September 1999.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (97 °F). However, it reached 43 °C (109.4 °F) in September 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 120 mm (4.7 in), distributed over 8 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 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29 °C (84 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
In October, the weather in Houston is usually warm. The average temperature is of 22.1 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 16.1 °C (60.9 °F) and a maximum of 28.2 °C (82.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7 °C (44.5 °F). However, it dropped to -1.7 °C (28.9 °F) in October 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92 °F). However, it reached 35.6 °C (96.1 °F) in October 1991.
Precipitation amounts to 140 mm (5.5 in), distributed over 8 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 65% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 26 °C (79 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.
In November, the weather in Houston is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 16.7 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 10.8 °C (51.5 °F) and a maximum of 22.6 °C (72.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1.5 °C (34.5 °F). However, it dropped to -2.8 °C (27 °F) in November 1992.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (85 °F). However, it reached 32 °C (89.6 °F) in November 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 8 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 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22.5 °C (73 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.
In December, the weather in Houston is usually mild. The average temperature is of 13.0 °C (55 °F), with a minimum of 7.6 °C (45.6 °F) and a maximum of 18.5 °C (65.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1 °C (30 °F). However, it dropped to -6 °C (21.2 °F) in December 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C (80.5 °F). However, it reached 29.4 °C (84.9 °F) in December 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 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 46% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20 °C (68 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.
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