Climate - South Padre Island (Texas)

The climate of South Padre Island is sub-tropical, with a very mild winter (but with the possibility of short cold spells) and a very hot, muggy summer.
The barrier island is located in southern Texas, near the mouth of the Rio Grande River and the town of Port Isabel, to which it is connected by a bridge, the Queen Isabella Causeway. The lagoon that separates the island from the mainland is called Laguna Madre.
Being surrounded by water, the island is less exposed to the extreme temperatures that can affect the cities of the Rio Grande Valley. On the other hand, the humidity is even higher.
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 warm periods even in the middle of winter, with highs around 25 °C (77 °F) and more.
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. However, even in these cases, the temperature generally drops to about 0 °C (32 °F) or slightly below.
The summer, from June to September, is very hot and sunny, with some thunderstorms. There combination of humidity and temperature makes the heat sweltering (but it is still better than in Texas cities, also because of the breeze).
There can be long, very hot periods even in May and October. However, the temperature generally reaches 37/38 °C (99/100 °F) on the hottest days of the year, while in the cities of the interior, it exceeds 40 °C (104 °F).
From June to November (but with a higher probability from August to October), there is the risk of hurricanes. Being a flat island, South Padre is particularly at risk, and for example, it was hit hard by Hurricane Dolly in late July 2008.
At Port Isabel-Cameron County Airport, the average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 16.1 °C (61.1 °F), that of the warmest month (August) is of 29.7 °C (85.4 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 590 millimeters (23.2 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 25 mm (1 in) in the driest month (January) to 135 mm (5.3 in) in the wettest (September). Here is the average precipitation.



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

You can visit South Padre Island in spring, from mid-March to mid-April: temperatures are generally pleasant and there are many sunny days. However, it can sometimes get a little cold at night, and the sea is still cool.
May is a great month for a beach holiday: the sea is already warm enough, and it is not as muggy as in midsummer.
In summer, there is sultry heat, and there is also the risk (even if it is low in percentage) that a hurricane will arrive.

South Padre Island - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in South Padre Island is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 16.1 °C (61 °F), with a minimum of 11.1 °C (51.9 °F) and a maximum of 21.2 °C (70.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2.5 °C (37 °F). However, it dropped to -1.7 °C (28.9 °F) in January 2017.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28.5 °C (83.5 °F). However, it reached 34.4 °C (93.9 °F) in January 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 40 minutes.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20.5 °C (69 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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In February, the weather in South Padre Island is usually warm. The average temperature is of 18.2 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 13.3 °C (56 °F) and a maximum of 23.1 °C (73.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4.5 °C (40 °F). However, it dropped to -2.2 °C (28 °F) in February 2011.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30 °C (85.5 °F). However, it reached 33.3 °C (91.9 °F) in February 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 20 minutes.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20 °C (67.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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In March, the weather in South Padre Island is usually warm. The average temperature is of 21.0 °C (70 °F), with a minimum of 16.4 °C (61.6 °F) and a maximum of 25.6 °C (78.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7 °C (44.5 °F). However, it dropped to 2.2 °C (36 °F) in March 2010.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (90 °F). However, it reached 38.3 °C (100.9 °F) in March 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 21 kph (13 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20 °C (68.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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In April, the weather in South Padre Island is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 24.0 °C (75 °F), with a minimum of 19.7 °C (67.5 °F) and a maximum of 28.3 °C (83 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11.5 °C (52.5 °F). However, it dropped to 6 °C (42.8 °F) in April 2007.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (94 °F). However, it reached 38.9 °C (102 °F) in April 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 50 minutes.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 22 kph (14 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22 °C (72 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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In May, the weather in South Padre Island is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 27 °C (81 °F), with a minimum of 22.9 °C (73.2 °F) and a maximum of 31.1 °C (88 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 16 °C (61 °F). However, it dropped to 10.6 °C (51.1 °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 (94 °F). However, it reached 36 °C (96.8 °F) in May 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 25 minutes.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 22 kph (14 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 25 °C (77.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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In June, the weather in South Padre Island is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 29.0 °C (84 °F), with a minimum of 24.9 °C (76.9 °F) and a maximum of 33.1 °C (91.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 22 °C (71.5 °F). However, it dropped to 19.4 °C (66.9 °F) in June 2016.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (97 °F). However, it reached 42.8 °C (109 °F) in June 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 50 minutes. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 20 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28 °C (82 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In July, the weather in South Padre Island is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 29.5 °C (85 °F), with a minimum of 25.4 °C (77.8 °F) and a maximum of 33.6 °C (92.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 23 °C (73.5 °F). However, it dropped to 21.1 °C (70 °F) in July 2019.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36.5 °C (97.5 °F). However, it reached 38.9 °C (102 °F) in July 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 35 minutes.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28.5 °C (83 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In August, the hottest month of the year, the weather in South Padre Island is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 29.7 °C (85 °F), with a minimum of 25.2 °C (77.4 °F) and a maximum of 34.1 °C (93.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 23 °C (73 °F). However, it dropped to 20.6 °C (69.1 °F) in August 2015.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 37 °C (98.5 °F). However, it reached 38.9 °C (102 °F) in August 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 0 minutes.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 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 September, the weather in South Padre Island is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 28.1 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 23.8 °C (74.9 °F) and a maximum of 32.4 °C (90.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 20 °C (68 °F). However, it dropped to 17 °C (62.6 °F) in September 2001.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (96.5 °F). However, it reached 38.3 °C (100.9 °F) in September 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 135 mm (5.3 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 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 South Padre Island is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 25.0 °C (77 °F), with a minimum of 20.3 °C (68.6 °F) and a maximum of 29.6 °C (85.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12 °C (53.5 °F). However, it dropped to 7.8 °C (46 °F) in October 2017.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93 °F). However, it reached 35 °C (95 °F) in October 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 30 minutes.
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 27 °C (81 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In November, the weather in South Padre Island is usually warm. The average temperature is of 20.8 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 15.9 °C (60.7 °F) and a maximum of 25.6 °C (78 °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 1.7 °C (35.1 °F) in November 2011.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (88 °F). However, it reached 33.3 °C (91.9 °F) in November 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 55 minutes.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 24.5 °C (76 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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In December, the weather in South Padre Island is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 17.2 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 12.2 °C (53.9 °F) and a maximum of 22.3 °C (72.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3.5 °C (38 °F). However, it dropped to -1.1 °C (30 °F) in December 2009.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29 °C (84.5 °F). However, it reached 32.8 °C (91 °F) in December 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 30 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22 °C (72 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.