Austin, TX Weather Forecast & Climate Guide
Austin has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. Located in the Texas Hill Country, the city experiences warm weather most of the year with distinct wet and dry seasons and is prone to flash flooding.
Climate type: Humid subtropical (Köppen Cfa)
Austin Climate Overview
Summer temperatures regularly exceed 95°F (35°C) with moderate humidity, while winters are mild with highs in the 60s°F (15°C) and lows rarely below freezing. The city receives about 34 inches of rain annually, with peak rainfall in spring and fall.
Austin's weather features long, hot summers and short, mild winters. The city experiences severe thunderstorms, flash flooding along creeks, and occasional tornadoes. Spring brings wildflower blooms and variable weather conditions.
Austin Weather by Season
spring
Spring is Austin's wildflower season — bluebonnets peak in late March and April, temperatures are mild in the 70s-80s°F, and SXSW packs downtown in March. Severe thunderstorms can still pop up.
summer
Summers are hot and long with highs routinely exceeding 100°F from June through early September. The nearby Hill Country rivers and swimming holes provide the only real relief.
fall
Fall is slow to arrive but worth the wait. October finally breaks the heat, ACL Festival takes over Zilker Park, and November delivers mild, dry, picture-perfect weather.
winter
Winters are short and mild with highs in the 60s°F. Occasional cold fronts bring brief freezes, but extended cold is rare and hard freezes happen only once or twice per year.
Austin Average Monthly Temperatures
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 61° | 64° | 72° | 79° | 85° | 92° | 96° | 97° | 90° | 81° | 71° | 62° |
| Low °F | 40° | 44° | 51° | 58° | 66° | 72° | 74° | 74° | 69° | 60° | 50° | 42° |
Best Time to Visit Austin
Late October through April. November and March-April are especially nice — mild temperatures, low humidity, wildflowers, and no triple-digit heat. SXSW (March) and ACL (October) both land in the best weather windows.
Severe Weather Risks
- Flash flooding
- Severe thunderstorms
- Extreme heat
- Drought
- Ice storms
Weather Facts About Austin
- >Austin sits in "Flash Flood Alley" — the hills channel rainfall into rivers that can rise 20+ feet in hours.
- >The 2011 and 2023 summers both saw stretches of 40+ days with highs over 100°F.
- >Barton Springs stays a constant 68°F year-round, making it the city's unofficial summer escape.
Austin Weather FAQ
When is the best time to visit Austin?
October-November or March-April. Both windows deliver mild temperatures in the 70s-80s°F, low humidity, and minimal rain. March coincides with SXSW and wildflower bloom; October brings ACL Festival.
How hot are Austin summers?
Very hot. June through early September averages highs in the mid-90s°F with frequent stretches above 100°F. Some summers see 40+ triple-digit days, and heat index values can push past 110°F.
Does Austin flood?
Yes — the city sits in "Flash Flood Alley," where the Hill Country's steep terrain can turn ordinary thunderstorms into catastrophic flooding events. The Halloween 2013 and Memorial Day 2015 floods caused major damage.
Does Austin get snow?
Very rarely — maybe once every 5-10 years, and usually just flurries. The historic February 2021 freeze brought several inches of snow and sub-zero temperatures, which was unprecedented.