The Houston climate offers so much for residents and visitors alike. Additionally, Houston has a low cost of living and many attractions, such as the Museum of Fine Arts, the Houston Symphony, the second-largest theater district in the US, and many festivals and events throughout the year. Houston is a sports town, with several professional sports teams, including the Houston Astros, the Houston Rockets, and the Houston Texans. So, what is the weather like in Houston?
Many people use the terms weather and climate in Houston interchangeably, but they aren’t the same. Houston climate refers to weather conditions over long periods of time, while the Houston weather describes the atmospheric conditions on a day-to-day basis. Both are important to know when moving to a new area, so you’ll know what to expect from the Houston weather by month.
The Houston weather year round is really pleasant for the most part! Here's everything you should know about the Houston climate.
What Is the Weather in Houston Texas?
The weather in Houston Texas changes a lot, but for the most part, it’s fairly nice. You’ll experience warm weather year-round, with cool but not cold winters. The Houston temperature by month varies often, but overall, the Houston climate is quite pleasant.
Houston Seasons
How is the weather in Houston? The Houston climate is a humid subtropical climate coupled with tropical influences, which brings lots of rain and a variable Houston average temperature by month. The annual average precipitation in Houston is 49.77 inches throughout the year, which can lead to flooding from May to October. Otherwise, the Houston weather year round is fairly mild.
Tropical cyclones during the Atlantic hurricane season can bring heavy rain and hurricanes, causing significant damage to the city. The Houston climate includes four distinct seasons, but it is typically referred to as having only two: the rainy season from April/May to September/October and the dry season from November/December to March/April. During El Nino or La Nina years, the wet and dry seasons can often last longer than usual or be delayed.
You can check out the Houston climate chart for more details. The Houston TX weather forecast is constantly changing. But, here’s what to expect in each season in Houston:
Winter in Houston
What’s the weather in Houston when it comes to winter? Winter in Houston runs from December to February. Houston winter weather is relatively mild and dry in the city, yet the Houston winter temperature does drop below freezing on an average of 9.6 days per year. The Houston weather monthly temperatures in winter typically climb to the low to mid-60s during the day and fall into the mid-40s at night. It rains about 17.9 inches in winter. Overall, the city experiences quite mild winters.
January is the coldest month in Houston, and February is the driest, with about three inches of rain falling on average. Occasional cold fronts in winter can bring cold rain and low wind chills, but snowfall is rare. The coldest nights of the year are in this season.
Spring in Houston
Springtime in Houston runs from March to May. The Houston weather temperature gets warmer, and spring is a great time to enjoy many of Houston’s outdoor activities, such as hiking, camping, and fishing. Temperatures rise significantly from March to April and May, and rainfall increases as well.
Heavy thunderstorms, often with hail or lightning, are common in late spring. Average highs in Houston during spring range from the low 70s to the mid-80s. Lows typically start in the mid-50s in March and rise to the mid-60s by May. Toward the end of spring, the Houston climate evens out, and there is less rain.
Summer in Houston
What’s the weather in Houston Texas like in the summer? Houston summers, from June through August, are characterized as hot and humid, and temperatures can exceed 100 degrees at times. The Houston summer weather average highs are in the 90s, and the lows are in the low to mid-70s. July is the city's hottest month of the year in Houston, where the sun shines an average of 294 hours. Overall, summer is often characterized as the most challenging period regarding the Houston climate.
Fast-moving, intense thunderstorms can spring up during the summer months. The humidity level is usually very high in summer, at around 80%. The average summer precipitation is around 13.5 inches. People are advised to take proper precautions in Houston during summer, especially those at high risk for heart diseases, strokes, or other health problems.
Autumn in Houston
Fall in Houston sees decreased temperatures in September, but the weather is still nice. High temperatures are in the high 80s in September and fall to the low 70s by the end of November. Low temperatures range from around 70 at the beginning of fall to the low 50s by the end. Fall is also hurricane season, and the Houston climate occasionally feels the effects of one or two during fall, bringing heavy flooding and rain. Rainfall averages 19.5 inches during the fall.
Monthly Weather in Houston
Here is what the Houston climate is like for each month of the year, according to past climate data:
Houston Weather in January
The weather in Houston in January is cool. It is the coldest month in Houston and is typically mild and dry. The average temperature in January is 54°F. High temperatures reach 63°F, and lows dip to 45°F. January can see hard freezes, icy conditions, and wind chills on occasion. January sees a fair amount of rain, 3.70 inches throughout the month. Houston weather in January averages fairly warm temperatures.
Houston Weather in February
Houston weather in February is cold. The average temperature in February is 57°F, with highs hitting 66°F and lows down to 48°F. February might see sub-freezing temperatures and frost during the first two weeks, but those occurrences are rare. Six of the ten largest snowfalls in Houston have occurred in mid-February. The average February rainfall is 3.23 inches. The coldest nights are usually in February.
Houston Weather in March
The weather in Houston in mid March starts to warm, with average highs around 72°F and average lows around 54°F. The average monthly temperature in March is 63°F. Houston weather in March comes with a lot of issues. Thunderstorms are common in March, complete with impressive lightning. Insects come out in March, including mosquitoes and butterflies. March is the driest month in Houston, with an average of 2.40 inches.
Houston Weather in April
April weather in Houston is similar to March. The Houston climate in mid April is beautiful! The average temperature is 70°F for the month. Highs reach 79°F and lows average 61°F. Spring thunderstorms aren’t uncommon in April. The average amount of sunshine per day in April is about 7 hours. Rainfall in April accumulates to an average of 3.43 inches. This is the start of the growing season, so be sure to plant!
Houston Weather in May
The weather Houston Texas has is fairly nice. May marks the end of spring in Houston, and temperatures range from a high of 84°F to a low of 70°F, slightly warmer than March and April. The average daily temperature in May is 77°F. Spring thunderstorms continue through the month of May. May is characterized by longer, sunnier days, with an average expectation of 8 hours of sunshine per day.
Rainfall tends to be slightly higher in May than in the other spring months. Sunrise is early, the air is crisp, and the rest of the year is generally much warmer, so people love May in Houston Texas. If you haven't planted yet, this is the last part of the growing season.
Houston Weather in June
June is the first month of summer, and the temperatures rise significantly. With the heat comes high humidity in June, and thunderstorms are an almost daily occurrence. By late June, the weather in Houston Texas feels like the sun is beating down on you constantly. Houston averages 82°F in June. High temperatures reach 90°F, and lows are around 73°F.
Humidity can reach up to 90% in the mornings. Sunshine lasts about 10 hours a day in June. June is the wettest month of the year in Houston, with an average rainfall of 5.93 inches. This is also the wettest month.
Houston Weather in July
July continues the hot, humid, rainy trend of the summer. Thunderstorms often occur daily. Tropical temperatures range from a daily high of 91°F to a low at night of 75°F, with the average temperature about 83°F. Humidity levels reach 83% in July. Along with June, July experiences the most sunshine on average, averaging 10 hours per day. Although not quite as rainy as June, July gets a significant amount of rain, about 5.16 inches per year.
Houston Weather in August
Generally, late August is the hottest time of year. The last month of summer, August, is still hot and humid, and thunderstorms are still a daily occurrence. The average daily temperature in August is 84°F, with highs up to 93°F and lows averaging 75°F. August averages 9 hours of sunshine per day. The average August rainfall is 3.54 inches.
Houston Weather in September
Houston weather in September begins fall. Temperatures finally begin to dip after the extreme summer heat. September experiences some cold fronts, but the Houston weather is mostly warm. September kicks off the hurricane season in Houston; however, in most years, Houston hasn’t been hit directly by a hurricane. The average September temperature drops from the summer months to 80°F. Highs hit 88°F and lows average 72°F. Rainfall averages about 3.82 inches in September.
Houston Weather in October
October weather in Houston TX is typically mild and warm, with cold fronts typically bringing rain. Early October can still be extremely warm, still seeing 90 °F and above. Houston weather in October does see a lot of rain. Hurricane season continues in October, and chances of flooding increase during the month. The average daily temperature in this month drops to 72°F. The average high is 81°F, and the average low is 63°F. October experiences about 7 hours of sunshine and 3.58 inches of rain.
Houston Weather in November
The Houston climate in mid November is the last month of fall, and temperatures continue to be warm and pleasant. Cold fronts become more frequent, however. The weather in Houston in November is hard to predict. November has the highest risk of hurricanes in Houston. Houston averages in November fall significantly from October to 64°F. Highs reach 72°F and lows 54°F. Fall rain is heaviest in November, with the average monthly rainfall at 4.06 inches.
Houston Weather in December
The Houston climate in December kicks off winter, although temperatures typically remain mild throughout the month. Occasionally, the temperature can drop below freezing in December, and south-moving cold fronts usher in colder Houston weather. The average daily temperature in December is 55°F. The average high temperature is 64°F, and the low drop is 46°F. December experiences the least amount of sunshine in Houston, with an average of 5 hours per day. The average amount of rainfall in December is 4.08 inches. The shortest day is in December.
Annual Climate Statistics for Houston
- Rainy days in Houston: 104 days per year
- Annual rainfall in Houston: 49.77” of precipitation annually
- Snowy days in Houston: 1 day every 3 years
- Annual snowfall in Houston: less than 0.1” per year
Houston Climate Hazards
Houston has occasional severe weather, mostly from flooding, which is a recurring issue. Hurricanes cause severe damage to Houston, but only seven major hurricanes have hit the area in the past 100 years. Small tornadoes can occur in Houston during severe weather, mostly during the spring months.
Houston Climate Extremes
Though the Houston climate is fairly mild, it does have some extreme weather. Here’s what to look for:
- Coldest month: January is the coldest month in Houston, with average highs of 63°F and average lows of 45°F
- Warmest month: The hottest month in Houston is August, with an average high temperature of 93°F
- Rainiest month: June is the rainiest month in Houston, with 5.93” of rain falling over eight rainy days.
- Snowiest month: February is Houston’s snowiest month, with less than 0.1” of snow.
- Driest month: March is typically the driest month in Houston, with 2.40” of rain falling over eight rainy days.
- Houston record high temperature: 109°F
- Houston record low temperature: 5°F
- Houston average humidity: The average humidity in Houston is around 75%
Best Time to Visit for Houston TX Weather
When is the best time to go to Houston for a pleasant Houston climate? The best time to visit for the Houston Texas weather is from February to April and from September to November. The weather is nice, the heat and humidity are not oppressive as in the summer months, and the average temperatures range from 60°F to 80°F. Spring and fall are ideal times for outdoor activities, sightseeing in Downtown Houston, and exploring the city's many parks and attractions. There’s not a bad season for Houston weather year-round.
Houston Climate FAQs
What is the Climate of Houston Texas?
The climate of Houston Texas is classified as humid subtropical, bringing warm temperatures, high humidity, and frequent storms throughout the year. The Houston Texas annual weather pattern includes hot summers, mild winters, and plenty of sunshine. Its coastal location near the Gulf of Mexico influences rainfall, seasonal storms, and overall climate conditions.
How Often Does It Snow in Houston Texas?
Snow is extremely rare in Houston. On average, measurable snowfall occurs about once every few years, with totals usually under a tenth of an inch. According to Houston weather history, winter precipitation typically falls as rain instead of snow because temperatures rarely stay below freezing long enough for accumulation.
How Much Rain Does Houston Receive Each Year?
Houston is known for significant yearly rainfall due to its Gulf Coast location. The city averages nearly 50 inches annually, and Houston rain is often associated with thunderstorms, tropical systems, and seasonal weather patterns. Most precipitation occurs from late spring through early fall when storms develop more frequently.
What Are the Humidity Levels Like in Houston?
Humidity is a major part of Houston’s climate. The humidity levels in Houston average around 75%, which can make the summer heat feel even hotter than the actual temperature in Houston. Mornings often start humid, and warm Gulf air frequently keeps conditions moist throughout the year.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Houston for Good Weather?
The best time to visit Houston for comfortable weather is typically spring and fall. During these seasons, skies are often partly cloudy, temperatures are mild, and outdoor events are common. Many travelers prefer visiting around mid October, when cooler air arrives, and humidity starts to drop.
Give PDX Movers a Call Today
Are you relocating and moving to Houston? If you’re looking up the Houston climate because you’re relocating, you’re in luck. The weather Houston TX has is wonderful!
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